Please help me find this.

[ThomCat]

If you're a research whiz, I really need your help.

I walk with forearm crutches. (also known as Canadian crutches or Lofstrands crutches)

I cannot hold the handle on my crutches anymore. Friends of mine modified mine by cutting open Tennis Balls and mounting them over the handles. I can hold the tennis balls (in a fingers-forward grip) where I can't hold the handle (because of the thumb-forward grip).

I'm trying to find a pair of crutches that are made with a round handle so that I don't have to keep using tennis balls. The tennis balls don't stay attached very well, or for very long. I have found hundreds of places to buy forearm crutches with variations on the normal handle, but I haven't been able to find anyplace that sells the kind of handles I need.

So, if you have a little bit of time, and you're really good at finding things, please help me out. :)

[taterguy]

1. I'm working on it

Sent an email to someone I know that works in the medical field that's really good at finding stuff, not sure when/if they'll find it though

[ThomCat]

7. Thank you very much!

:hug:

[taterguy]

14. My friend is striking out but she suggests raquetballs

Might be worth a shot

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. Try this Thom...

not sure if it will help, but...

http://www.healiohealth.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=292

[ThomCat]

8. Unfortunately, those are all conventional grips.

Thank you, though. :hug:

[Inchworm]

3. I was on the hunt too

:)

[wildhorses]

4. have you looked on e-bay?

:shrug:

[ThomCat]

9. Absolutely. It was one of the first dozen places I looked.

:)

So far, out of several days of research, I've found one place that says they make customized crutches. But it looks like they only customize the size and the placement of the cuff and handle. I'm still waiting for a response about customizing the shape of the handle.

[malta blue]

5. try this website

http://www.fetterman-crutches.com/accessories.html

[ThomCat]

10. I sent them a request.

That place is awesome. But I haven't heard back from them yet about whether or not they can customize the handles. :(

Hopefully they can, but if not, I haven't been able to find any alternatives. I'm hoping someone here will have better luck/skills finding options.

Thank you. :hug:

[Inchworm]

6. I saw wrist straps and saddle grips

No pic for the grip and not sure if you were interested in straps.

:)

[ThomCat]

11. I hope I never have to resort to the straps.

Those things hurt. :(

But if I can't find a grip I can use, and if the tennis balls don't work as a long term solution then I'll have to look into it.

I know people who swear by the saddle grips. Unfortunately, they're still side-grip handles, so I'm not one of those people who can use them.

Thank you very much. :hug:

[Inchworm]

12. How handy are you?

http://orthotape.com/

Could make a handle with casting material. I bet a prosthetist could totally hook you up if you knew one.

Looks like what you are looking for is so unique that it will need manufactured.

:shrug:

[ThomCat]

13. Hmmm... I'd need to have someone do that for me

but that might be an excellent option. A more permanent ball could be molded onto the handles of my existing crutches.

Thank you. That's an awesome back-up plan. :)

[masshole]

15. Do the current handles screw into the crutch?

If I recall some brands were made so the handles unscrew from the crutch shaft (I used to be in the Med Supply biz years ago)
- maybe you could find a finial large enough for your hand from a curtain store or even a Home Depot or Lowe's.

[ThomCat]

16. My current crutched don't, but that would be an easy change to make.

I could have the current handle sawed off and then have a finial screwed into the stub.

That's brilliant. :)

I'll have to check out finials now. Then, the casting tape that Inchworm found would make an excellent cover over it all so that I'm not gripping metal.

Thank you. :hug:

[masshole]

20. I know you said you can't hold your handles anymore

so I have no idea if a pair of these might be a solution instead of having to fabricate something else -

http://www.disabledservices.net/right-grip.html

[ThomCat]

21. I don't know.

I don't think so, because it still requires a side grip (thumb-forward grip). But I've never actually seen or tried that type of handle before.

I'll show this to my physical therapist and get her opinion.

[BrotherBuzz]

17. I'm probably not offering much help but....

I believe a tennis ball could become a permanent fixture to the grip with the aid of a fender washer and a bicycle handlebar plug (the type that uses a screw expansion to tighten). All coupled together, that ball would stay right where you want it. Sorry ThomCat, I can't explain in better in text, but I see it working. :shrug:


edited to add a photo of the type of handlebar plug I had in mind:

[ThomCat]

18. I just spoke to one of our carpenters here.

I work in a 48 story building. There's enough changes and renovations going on to require a small team of full time carpenters. They're good guys.

One of them thinks he can permanently attach the tennis balls. If that doesn't work, he can saw down the handle and attach a curtain finial (as suggested above). Either way, I think I have a solution. :)

Yay!

:hug:

[BrotherBuzz]

19. It's all good, Bro

:thumbsup: