Why Choose Mono Crutch?

This type of crutch is designed for the active, well balanced patient in mind, with injuries to the lower extremities from the hip joint to the foot. It is designed for patients with fractures of the lower extremities, recent surgery including ACL reconstructions, torn meniscus, Achilles tendon repairs, tendinitis, hip or knee replacements, ankle replacements, foot reconstruction, etc.

This crutch is ideal for patients with trauma of the upper and lower extremities at the same time as they will be unable to use conventional crutches, due to the nature of the trauma on upper limbs.

The crutch can be used also in pediatric populations in children older than 6 years old. The fact that children are familiar with bicycles make the teaching to use them quite easily. It is recommended that children must have a good balance and understanding of the crutch. It is not recommended with children with severe palsies or cognitive disabilities.

As mention above, good balance and good cognitive status, makes this crutch almost

good for any age. It is not recommended for older individuals with poor balance issues, post severe strokes, dementia, problems with neurological diseases that make

conventional walking awkward.

How much weight in your affected limb you can carry depend of the type of injury you

have and the recommendations of your doctor. This crutch is designed for patients to

walk none weight bearing to partial weight bearing all the way to weight bearing as

tolerated. The person using this crutch will learn to use the weight of their body on the

pelvis rather that the leg, in none weight bearing recommendations and a combination

of pelvis and lower limb in situations were partial or full weight bearing is tolerated is

indicated.

You must start by setting the length of the crutch, using the telescopic extender of the

crutch. For non weight bearing patients, one inch longer than the distance between your groin and the heel, for partial and full weight bearing the same or almost even distance between the groin and heel distance. Once this setting is done, the patient should be seated in a bench, bed or regular seat, (we don’t recommend low sitting positions), secure the crutch to the calf using the calf neoprene wrap with Velcro straps snug to the crutch, then stand up and secure the saddle between your legs sitting like in a bicycle and then adjust the Velcro strap to your tight, again snug to the crutch. 

Once you have the crutch like an extension of your affected limb, properly attached to

your leg, you are ready to start walking. We recommend at the beginning to use the

handle of the saddle to give you more confidence and balance and as you progress

through the experience of walking with this crutch, you may walk hands free. Be aware that using your hand for extra balance is always an option to recover your balance or position.

Your step pattern should be slow, like regular crutches, using a simple arch or

circumduction of your leg, what we call a “pirate” type of walking. You must be aware to clear the floor as your leg will be longer than usual.

The key is to have a snug fit of the crutch with your affected limb and good contact of

the saddle with your crotch area. You can sit down with your leg extended, the crutch

will remain by the side of your leg and stand up holding into the arm of the chair, other

furniture, counters, etc.

Walking on the stairs is easier than with conventional crutches. You still will use the hand rail at all times. Going up stairs, you will use your good leg to give the first step up and your affected leg will come after. You repeat the same steps until you reach the next floor.

Going down stairs is the same routine but backwards. You will use your affected leg to give the first step down and then your good leg matching the step down. Always with good support of the hand rail. Well trained walkers will find that with experience the up and down stairs can be done without the rail support.