Crutches are designed to keep you safe while you heal—but only if they’re used correctly.

In physical therapy, we routinely see preventable setbacks not because of the injury itself, but because of how crutches are used day-to-day. Small habits—often done without thinking—can significantly increase your risk of falling.

Here are the five most common mistakes, and how to avoid them.

1. Putting Weight Through Your Armpits

This is the most frequent—and most dangerous—mistake.

When you rest your weight through your armpits instead of your hands, you:

• Reduce control of the crutches
• Increase instability
• Risk nerve compression (leading to numbness or weakness)

Fix it:
Keep a slight gap under your armpits and actively press through your hands.

2. Using Crutches That Aren’t Properly Fitted

Even a small fitting error can throw off your balance.

Common issues:

• Crutches too tall → shoulder elevation and poor control
• Crutches too short → forward lean and instability
• Handgrips misaligned → arm fatigue and uneven weight distribution

Standards from organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association emphasize that proper fit is foundational to safe use.

Fix it:
Take the time to set height and handgrips correctly (or revisit your fit if something feels off).

3. Moving Too Fast

Speed is one of the biggest contributors to falls.

When you rush:

• Crutches don’t fully plant before stepping
• Your center of gravity shifts too quickly
• You lose control on uneven surfaces

Fix it:
Slow down. Place your crutches firmly before each step. Controlled movement is safe movement.

4. Walking on Unsafe Surfaces Without Adjusting

Crutches don’t adapt to the environment—you have to.

High-risk surfaces include:

• Wet floors
• Ice or snow
• Gravel or uneven ground
• Loose rugs or clutter

Fix it:

• Take shorter steps
• Test surfaces before committing weight
• Replace worn rubber tips regularly

5. Trying to Carry Things While Using Crutches

This is one of the most overlooked fall risks.

Crutches require both hands for safe use. When you try to carry something:

• You shift to one-handed support
• You lose stability
• You increase fall risk immediately

This is a known limitation of mobility devices—users often have to choose between mobility and carrying everyday items, which can compromise safety. 

Fix it:

• Plan ahead before moving
• Keep pathways clear
• Use safe methods to keep essentials accessible

The Bigger Picture

Most crutch-related falls don’t come from dramatic moments—they come from small, repeated habits:

• Leaning instead of supporting
• Rushing instead of controlling
• Reaching instead of planning

The good news? Every one of these is fixable.

Final Thought

Using crutches safely isn’t complicated—but it does require intention.

If you avoid these five mistakes, you dramatically reduce your risk of:

• Falls
• Secondary injuries
• Delayed recovery

Recovery is already challenging. The goal is to move safely, confidently, and without unnecessary setbacks.