• 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).

• 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.

• 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.