Question

When discharging a patient on crutches, it is imperative that he knows there should be how much space between the top of the crutch and the axilla when his hands are gripping the crutches? Please explain why?

Answer 1

Answer;

When discharging a client with this kind of assistive device, it is very important to teach the client about how to use and cope up with these things and prevent from serious complication. In this case the nurse should help the patient to understand that he/she need to have at least 2 inches space or 3 finger distance between the top of the crutch to the surface of the axilla .

The space should be maintained to prevent the compression on the axillary nerve, cause continuous pressure to these nerve will end up in arm paralysis or syndrome like crutch palsy. Therefore the patient should not apply pressure over the top portion of the crutch. These space also enable the patient to bent the elbow and use these device properly.