In the U.S. alone, approximately 18 million people use crutches each year. The human body was not designed to bear its weight on the forearms and wrists, but all designs of the crutch force patients to do just this. In just a few steps with the underarm crutch, forearm fatigue sets in resulting in patients resting upon the underarm padding. The upward force from the padding leads to pain, chafing, blood vessel compression, nerve compression, and possible nerve damage. Forearm crutches, while avoiding the underarm area, are difficult to use and direct a large amount of torque to the shoulder, resulting in shoulder injuries, frequent imbalance, and falls. Not including the costs of treatments for the side effects of crutch use, patients spend over $800 million each year on these 5000-year-old, inefficient devices.
The Better Walk crutch puts a patient's mind at ease. The redesigned support system reduces the risk of underarm nerve damage, reduces forearm fatigue, and improves patient comfort resulting in increased compliance and a safer, more comfortable rehabilitation process.
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