• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.100-104
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• 2018

Purpose: An axillary crutch is the most commonly used assistive device in foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing. On the other hand, its use frequently induces axillary or wrist pain and critical neurovascular injuries have been reported in several studies. This study compared the clinical outcomes of patients using the knee walker and axillary crutch. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the utility of a knee walker and axillary crutch as a nonweightbearing ambulatory aid for 62 foot and ankle patients treated between November 2016 and March 2018. A comparative study of the two orthosis could be performed because all the patients temporarily used an axillary crutch before or after the use of a knee walker. A demographic study and comparative analysis based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) satisfaction score (0~100), complications, and fall down history were evaluated. Furthermore, under the assumption of having retreatment, their preference of orthosis between the knee walker and axillary crutch was investigated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.5 and the mean duration of ambulation with a knee walker and axillary crutch were 5.2 and 2.4 weeks. The VAS satisfaction score of the knee walker and crutch was 88.8 and 27.5, respectively (p<0.05). The most frequent complications of the knee walker and crutch were ipsilateral knee pain (6 cases) and axillary or wrist pain (56 cases), respectively. No case of falling down occurred during knee walker ambulation, but there were two cases of crutch ambulation. Fifty-eight patients (93.5%) preferred the knee walker and four patients (6.5%) preferred a crutch. Conclusion: Compared to the axillary crutch, the knee walker afforded lower complication and higher satisfaction. Most patients preferred the knee walker to a crutch. Therefore, the knee walker is an efficient and safe orthosis for foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to determine which of several crutch-fitting techniques best predicts ideal crutch length. Ideal crutch length is defined as the length of the crutch, including accessories, obtained during stance when the crutch tip is 6 inches (15.2 cm) lateral and 6 inches(15.2 cm) anterior to the fifth toe and the axillary pad is 2.5 inches(6.4 cm) below the axillary fold. Forty four volunteers were measured for crutches using each of the following methods:(1) 77% of actual height, (2) actual height minus 40.6 cm, (3) actual height minus 45.7 cm, (4) olecranon to opposite third finger tip, (5) olecranon to opposite fifth finger tip, (6) 77% of arm span, (7) arm span minus 40.6 cm, (8) anterior axillary fold to heel plus 5.1 cm, (9) anterior axillary fold to heel plus 10.2 cm, (10) ideal crutch length. Of the techniques studied, the two involving anterior axillary fold to heel were found to be good predictors: anterior axillary fold to heel plus 5.1 cm and anterior axillary fold to heel plus 10.2 cm. Finally, two additional length estimates were derived using linear regression analyses. These estimates provided the best overall predictors based on anterior axillary fold to heel and actual height.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.113-120
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to comparison clinical applied versus theoretical fitness on axillary crutch in human stance phase. Ideal crutch length is defined as the length of the crutch, including accessories, obtained during stance when the crutch tip is 15 cm(about 6inch) lateral and 15 cm(about 6 inch) anterior to the fifth toe and the axillary pad is 5 cm(about 2 inch) below the axillay fold. The participations(volunteers) were 71 inpatients(53 men and 18 women) who have orthopedic and neurological impairment on unilateral and/or bilateral lower extrimities, and mean age was 31.4 year old. Prior to participation, each subject informed the procedures of experiment from researcher and assistant researcher. This measured for axillary crutch using each of the following aspects : (1) length of actual using crutch, (2) length of axillary fold after modified(77% of actual height), (3) angle of elbow flexion after modified(77% of actual height). In order to determine the statistical significance of result, t-test were applied at the 0.05 level of significance. The result were as follows ; 1. There was significant difference between actual crutch and ideal crutch length(77% of actual height)(p<0.05). 2. There was significant difference of length of axillary fold between actual and ideal crutch (77% of actual height)(p<0.05). 3. There was significant difference of angle of elbow flexion between actual and ideal crutch(77% of actual height)(p<0.05).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.799-803
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• 1990

It is known that an interesting and unusual axillary artery thrombosis may develop over a period of time if an improperly adjusted crutch impinges repeatedly on the axilla. A 39 year-old male developed occlusion of left axillary artery and gangrenes of the left fingers after he had used axillary crutch for 25 years because of limping of the left leg resulting from poliomyelitis. The left hand was salvaged by successful thrombectomy. We report this case, review and discuss the literatures.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.243-253
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• 2016

In this study, crutch and crutch gait for the handicapped in the lower extremity were discussed, and the study was conducted as a part of long-term research that suggests a practical solution for a crutch design. Three axillary crutches were evaluated in the study by a set of design guidelines for crutches delivered from the advanced research. In this comparative study with axillary crutch design variations, 31 healthy subjects were participated and three crutches were evaluated by ten guidelines. The result showed that Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found between Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro. While analyzing with guidelines, Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch for 6-guideline, but no significant difference was found among three crutches for the guidelines related with Lightweight and Economical feasibility and marketability. The result of the study is expected to be used for a solid foundation to evaluate for the reasonableness of the guidelines with comprehensive analysis for crutch gait evaluation in the further study.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.243-253
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of systolic blood pressure, heart rate and myocardial oxygen consumption on 3-point nonweight bearing ambulation with axillary wooden crutch according to age. The subjects were fifty healty volunteers(22 male, 28 female), ages from 20 to 69(mean age of 43.8 years) with no history of cardiovascular or respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, arthritis and orthopedic disorder within the past three years. This study was carried out from May 10 to August 10, 1996. The data were analyzed by percentage, mean and standard deviation and ANOVA. The results were as follows : 1. In systolic blood pressure(SBP), there was no significantly change between before walk and after 20 m in crutch walking with age, however, there did differ significantly after 40 m and 60 m in crutch walking(p<0.01, p<0.001). 2. In heat rate(HR), there was no significantly change between before walk and after 20 m, 40 m in crutch walking with age, however, there did differ significantly after 60 m in crutch walking(p<0.05). 3. In myocardial oxygen consumption($MVO_{2}$), there was no significantly change between before walk and after 20m in crutch walking with age, however, there did differ significantly after 40 m and 60 m in crutch walking(p<0.01, p<0.001). These result showed that cardiovascular system had a great effect on the olderly when 3-point nonweight bearing ambulation with axillary wooden crutch. Therefore, when train for axillary crutch in the olderly, we needed suitably basis of walking distance.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-70
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• 2018

This study was conducted as a part of long-term project on the development of a set of design guidelines for a crutch as mobility aids for the handicapped in the lower extremity and the suggestion a practical solution for a crutch design. The purpose of this study is to develop a design of a crutch and a set of prototypes that reflects the characteristics of crutch-gait and has a realistic possibility for mass production-based industry. TOGO, a axillary crutch as the result of this study, shows a number of characteristics distinguished from ordinary crutches. These are (1)Minimize the shock associated with planting of the crutch tips by improving the form and structure of crutch tip and axillary pad, (2)Ergonomically designed crutch in accordance with users' body movement while walking on crutches, (3)Easy length control to maximize mobility and maneuverability by changing the cross section of the crutch revolutionary, (4)Minimize possibilities of safety hazards, and (5)Attractive shape of the crutch to keep user self-esteem. The revolutionary crutch derived from this study results has been patented, and the company is seeking to mass-produce and find ways to commercialize it after reviewing the potential problems that may arise in the mass production environment.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.157-169
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• 2015

In this study, three axillary crutches(Mobilegs, KM crutch, Pro In-motion) were tested with 12 healthy male subjects by measuring the EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi and gastrocnemius and the user-perceived levels focusing on the comfort and ease of use. The result showed that the EMG activity of the gastrocnemius was significantly reduced during ambulation using Mobilegs and Pro In-motion compared with the ambulation using KM crutch, a conventional crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found for EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi. Subjects perceived the Mobilegs to be more comfortable and easy to use than the other crutches. Theses result may delivered mostly from the characteristics of spring-loaded axillary pad and ergonomic crutch handle. The results indicate that ambulation using the spring-loaded crutch is much easy with asking less exertion at gastrocnemius. In addition, the characteristics of crutch design, such as embedded spring, makes muscles to consume less energy. When the reasonable structure and form of the axillary pad and crutch handle are applied herein, the ambulation using the crutches are perceived to comfort.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2013

This study investigated the effects of axillary crutch length on trunk muscle activity and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex movements during crutch gait. Eleven healthy men participated in this study. The participants performed a three-point gait with optimal, shorter, and longer crutch lengths. Weight-bearing (WB) side was determined as the dominant leg side. The electromyography (EMG) activity of the bilateral rectus abdominis (RA) and erector spinae (ES) muscles and lumbo-pelvic-hip complex movements were monitored using a three-dimensional motion system with wireless surface EMG. Differences in the EMG activity of RA and ES muscles and range of motion (ROM) of lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip among conditions were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, and a Bonferroni correction was conducted. There was less RA muscle activity on the WB side under the optimal crutch length condition compared with shorter and longer crutch length conditions (p<.05). The EMG activity of the RA muscle on the non-WB side and ES muscle on the WB side were significantly decreased under the optimal crutch length condition compared with shorter crutch length condition (p<.05). No significant differences in the EMG activity of the ES muscle on the non-WB side and ROM of lumbo-pelvic-hip complex were found among conditions (p>.05). These findings indicate that the optimal crutch length improves the trunk muscle efficiency during crutch gait.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study compared the activities of the trunk muscles during crutch walking to determine which of the crutch length measurements is most beneficial. METHODS: Twenty young women volunteered to participate in this study. After adjusting crutch length, the participants performed a three-point walking with nondominant leg limited in weight bearing. This study used six crutch length measurements: (1) Height-40.6cm, (2) Height'.77, (3) Olecranon-to-finger length, (4) Axillary-toheel length, (5) Arm-span length-40.6cm, and (6) Arm-span length'.77. The EMG activities of the internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF), and erector spinae (ES), muscles on the weight bearing side were monitored using wireless surface EMG. RESULTS: The EMG activities of the RA and ES appeared to be significantly different among the crutch length measurements (p<.05). The post-hoc test showed that the 'Arm-span length-40.6cm' was significantly greater in the RA activity when compared to the 'Height'.77' and 'Axillary-to-heel length' measurements, and in the ES activity when compared to 'Height'.77' measurements. Furthermore, IO/RA and MF/ES ratios showed significant differences among the crutch length measurements (p<.05). In the post-hoc test, significant difference was observed between 'Olecranon-to-finger length' and 'Arm-span length-40.6cm' for the IO/RA ratio, and between 'Height'.77' and 'Olecranon-to-finger length' and between 'Height'.77' and 'Arm-span length-40.6cm' measurement for the MF/ES ratio. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the 'Height'.77' measurement is relatively advantageous to optimize the activities of trunk muscles during the crutch walking, and allow simple measurements of the crutch length.