Start here · Updated June 2026
Types of Crutches: Which One Is Right for You?
The short answer: if you’re recovering for a few weeks, a basic underarm pair is fine. If you’ll be on crutches for months, forearm crutches are usually better. If you can’t bear weight through your hands, look at platform crutches; if you’d rather not balance on crutches at all, a hands-free knee scooter is often the most comfortable option. Here’s how to choose between them.
Underarm (axillary) crutches
Best for: Short-term recovery from a foot, ankle, or leg injury.
The standard pair clinics hand out. They brace under the arm, are cheap and easy to size, and are plenty for a few weeks non-weight-bearing. Keep the pad two inches below your armpit so your hands carry the weight, never your underarms.
Best underarm crutches →Forearm (Lofstrand) crutches
Best for: Long-term or daily use, and anyone who wants more freedom of movement.
A cuff wraps your forearm so the load comes off your armpits and you can let go of the grip without dropping the crutch. They take more coordination to learn but are far better for months or years of use, which is why most lifelong users switch to them.
Best forearm crutches →Platform (gutter) crutches
Best for: People who can’t bear weight through the hand or wrist (severe arthritis, a hand/wrist injury, limited grip).
Instead of a hand grip, your forearm rests in a padded trough strapped in place, so the weight rides on your forearm rather than your hand. They’re a specialty item your therapist usually fits, not an off-the-shelf pick.
Read the platform crutch guide →Knee scooters (hands-free)
Best for: A single non-weight-bearing leg for several weeks, when you’d rather not balance on crutches at all.
You rest the injured leg on a padded platform and roll, keeping both hands free and taking the strain off your arms and underarms entirely. Often the most comfortable option for a long foot or ankle recovery. Our sister site reviews them in depth.
Best knee scooters (Mobility Reviews) →Hands-free leg crutches (iWalk-style)
Best for: Below-the-knee non-weight-bearing injuries, for people who want to keep both hands free while standing and walking.
You strap the device to your thigh and kneel into it, walking hands-free without a scooter. It has a learning curve and isn’t for every injury, but for the right person it’s liberating. Check fit and your injury type with your provider first.
Read the alternatives guide →How to decide quickly
- How long? A few weeks → underarm. Months or permanent → forearm.
- Can you bear weight through your hands and wrists? No → platform crutches.
- Would you rather not balance on crutches at all? One bad leg → a knee scooter or hands-free leg crutch.
- Heavier user or a child? Both come in heavy-duty (500 lb) and youth sizes; see our underarm picks.
Free guide
Still weighing your options?
Grab our free buyer’s guide. It walks you from picking a type to picking the right pair for your situation.