• 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.