Best Crutch Pair UK: Elbow, Underarm and Folding Crutches

By Scott Smith. Last reviewed 23 October 2026.

Should You Choose Elbow or Underarm Crutches?

Elbow crutches suit most people in the UK and are the type usually supplied after injuries, while underarm crutches suit users who need more support from the upper body. An elbow crutch pair, also called a forearm crutch pair, has a cuff around the forearm and a handle, which leaves the hands free to open doors without dropping the crutch. They are lighter and easier on stairs once you have practised. An underarm crutch pair rests against the side of the chest, below the armpit, and can feel steadier for some users at first, though leaning on the top pad can press on nerves under the arm. A padded crutch pair adds comfort at the handles and cuffs. A folding crutch pair packs down for travel. If unsure, ask a physiotherapist which type suits you.

How Do These Crutch Pairs Compare?

The table shows who each crutch pair suits and the type stated in its listing. Check the height range and user weight first, then the handle style.

How Do You Set Crutches to the Right Height?

Elbow crutches are at the right height when the handles sit level with your wrist crease as you stand upright with arms relaxed and shoes on. Holding the handles, your elbows should bend slightly, and the cuff should sit a few cm below the elbow without touching the joint. For underarm crutches, the top pad should sit about two to three finger widths below the armpit, with the handgrips at wrist height. To measure, stand in your usual shoes and measure from the floor to the wrist crease in cm, then compare it with the adjustable range in each listing. Most crutches adjust with push buttons; make sure each button clicks fully into its hole and both crutches are set to the same height. Recheck after a few days, as your posture can change as you get used to them.

How Do You Use a Crutch Pair on Stairs?

On stairs with a crutch pair, go up with the good leg first and down with the crutches and the injured leg first, using a handrail where there is one. A simple way to remember is up with the good, down with the bad. Going up, hold the rail with one hand and both crutches, or one crutch, in the other, step up with the good leg, then bring the crutches and injured leg up to the same step. Going down, place the crutches on the step below, step down with the injured leg, then follow with the good leg. Take one step at a time and never rush. Ask your physiotherapist to show you before you try stairs at home. When comparing crutches, look for good rubber ferrules, since grip on stair edges matters more than almost anything else.

How Do You Look After Crutch Ferrules?

Crutch ferrules, the rubber tips at the bottom, should be checked every week and replaced as soon as the tread wears smooth or the rubber splits. Worn ferrules lose grip, especially on wet pavements, tiles and stair edges, and are one of the most common reasons for slips on crutches. Look at the base for a flat, shiny area or for the metal tube starting to show through. Ferrules come in different sizes to fit the tube diameter, so measure the bottom of your crutch in mm or check the listing before buying replacements. Push new ferrules on firmly until the tube reaches the bottom. Wipe ferrules clean after walking outdoors, since grit can reduce grip on smooth floors indoors. Some users choose larger, flexible ferrules for extra stability. Keep a spare pair at home so you are never without them, and replace both together, so each crutch grips the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Choose the Right Crutch Pair?

Start with the type your physiotherapist recommends, usually elbow crutches. Choose a crutch pair whose height range suits your wrist crease measurement, with a user weight limit above your own and good rubber ferrules.

Is a Crutch Pair Available on the NHS?

A crutch pair is often supplied by the NHS after an injury or operation, usually by the hospital physiotherapy team. Many people buy their own for comfort, travel or longer term use.

What Weight Can a Crutch Pair Hold?

The weight a crutch pair can hold varies by model, so check the maximum user weight in kg in the listing. Bariatric crutches are available for users who need extra capacity.

How Do You Clean a Crutch Pair?

Wipe the crutches, handles and cuffs with warm soapy water or a disinfectant wipe, then dry them. Check the rubber ferrules and push buttons each week and replace worn ferrules straight away.

Can I Claim VAT Relief on a Crutch Pair?

Disabled people and those with a long term illness can usually buy a crutch pair without VAT if it is for their own personal use. You normally complete a short declaration when ordering.