Using Crutches For Gout, And Other Mobility Tools - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribe

Fitness

Using Crutches for Gout, and Other Mobility Tools

Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD — Written by Jennifer M. Edwards on August 16, 2022

Do crutches work for gout?
Where to get crutches
Using crutches
Other mobility tools
Can you walk with gout?
Safety tips
Summary

Gout is a common and treatable form of inflammatory arthritis in which uric acid builds up in your tissues and joints, causing pain and inflammation. It usually happens in the feet and in certain joints, particularly your big toe, and a flare-up might wake you in the middle of the night.

While gout can be quite painful, there are things you can do to treat it, such as changing your diet and taking medication. But during an acute flare-up, you might need a mobility aid if you find it difficult or too painful to walk.

Are crutches an effective way to stay mobile with gout?

If you have a gout flare-up, it’s a good idea to contact a doctor to access treatments that can help manage your gout. Your healthcare team can recommend a treatment program that might include medications to help you feel better, such as corticosteroids and over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories.

You can also use crutches to take your weight off the painful joint.

Where to get crutches if you have gout

When you contact a healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment, you can ask whether crutches would help you stay mobile while you wait for a flare-up to go away.

If your medical professional recommends them, many insurance companies will often cover the cost of crutches. If you have surgery, the hospital may also send you home with a set. The advantage of getting crutches from your doctor or hospital is that staff can make sure they fit and work properly.

If you don’t have insurance or your insurance won’t cover crutches, there are often nonprofit organizations that temporarily lend medical equipment. You could also buy them online or rent them by the month. A friend or family member might also have some to lend.

There are different types of crutches, and not all of them may help. Most crutches work by transferring weight from your lower to your upper body, but that may not work well for everyone.

There are three types of crutches:

underarm crutches
forearm crutches
forearm support crutches

The wrong crutches could lead to falls or injuries, but a medical professional will typically know which type you need.

How to use crutches properly if you have gout

Once you have crutches, it’s important to use them correctly to avoid injury or worsening your gout.

Here are some tips for using the most common type, called underarm crutches:

Make sure your crutches fit. The pads should be 1 1/2 to 2 inches below your armpits. Your elbows should have a slight bend when holding the hand grips.
Try to support your weight with your hands and not your armpits.
To avoid tripping, wear flats or sneakers, not heels or slippers.
Watch out for hazards on the ground, such as cords, rugs, holes, or uneven ground.
Use the crutches in a well-lit place so you can spot any tripping risks.

For videos and tips on how to use them in just about any situation, check out our guide.

»MORE:Get an online treatment plan for a gout attack in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Other mobility tools for gout

Canes

The Arthritis Foundation also recommends using a cane if it’s too painful to put pressure on your joint.

Canes generally fall into single-, three- or quad-point categories. Most people just need a single point, although some people may need one with more points for added stability.

The foundation provides the following recommendations:

Wear your walking shoes.
Use a cane that hits at your wrist crease.
Hold your cane on the stronger side and move with your weaker side.
Place it about 2 inches in front of you when walking.

Gout footwear

Some people find that having the right footwear helps ease pressure on their feet and affected joints.

While a small 2019 study showed that special footwear didn’t help with gout foot pain in the long term, it did help in the short term.

The researchers from the study above recommend shoes that conform to your foot, are pliable, and have adjustable straps and a wide opening. Shoes with those features helped the study participants walk a little faster.

There are plenty of gout orthotics available online. Speak with your doctor or specialist about what types would help the most.

Racial disparities in gout pain

In a 2016 study comparing health-related quality of life between Black and white people with gout, researchers found that Black people were more likely to have functional limitations and a lower quality of life than white people.

A 2014 study by one of the same authors also found that Black people reported more pain and emotional burden than other populations.

Experts need to perform more research to determine and address the disparity, but the interventions above can help you stay mobile in the event of a flare-up.

Is it safe to walk with gout?

Even if you have gout, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends walking or doing other joint-friendly exercise to manage your weight and stay healthy. In fact, many physicians may recommend weight loss, including with exercise, for people with gout who have obesity or overweight.

Joint-friendly activities you can do with gout include walking, biking, and swimming. They are low impact activities with a low risk of injury and don’t stress or twist your joints. However, if you have a painful flare in your feet, your doctor might recommend that you avoid walking for a while to prevent swelling.

How to walk with gout safely

If you choose walking as your activity, the CDC suggests the following:

Start slowly and at low intensity, and build up to more as your body adjusts.
Aim to eventually get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise.
Modify your activity if you feel pain afterward by exercising less frequently or for shorter periods until your pain reduces.
Make sure your activity, such as walking, doesn’t put a lot of pressure on your joints.
Find safe places to be active.
Speak with your healthcare professional or a certified exercise specialist about your exercise plans.

Takeaway

Gout can cause flare-ups, making it painful or hard to walk and get around. There are various mobility aids to help you in the short term until treatment resolves the gout attack and improves your condition.

Aids include crutches or canes to relieve pressure on the affected joint, OTC anti-inflammatory medication, and the right footwear. All of these can help you stay active, which experts recommend for your overall health and the reduction of gout symptoms.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Arthritis. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/index.htm
Brenton-Rule A, et al. (2019). Experience of finding footwear and factors contributing to footwear choice in people with gout: A mixed methods study using a web-based survey.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6325840/
Frecklington M, et al. (2017). Footwear interventions for foot pain, function, impairment and disability for people with foot and ankle arthritis: A literature review.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049017217305905?via%3Dihub
Frecklington M, et al. (2019). Effects of a footwear intervention on foot pain and disability in people with gout: A randomized controlled trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6480516/
Gout: Overview. (2018).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK284934/
How to choose the right cane. (n.d.).https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/managing-pain/joint-protection/how-to-choose-the-right-cane
Low QJ, et al. (2022). Management of gout in the primary care setting.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9004428/
Managing a gout flare. (2022).https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/managing-a-gout-attack
Nielsen SM, et al. (2017). Weight loss for overweight and obese individuals with gout: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5705854/
Shmerling RH. (2019). Why the wheelchair? Could it be gout?https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-the-wheelchair-could-it-be-gout-2019032916308
Singh JA. (2014). The impact of gout on patient’s lives: A study of African-American and Caucasian men and women with gout.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4230273/
Singh JA, et al. (2016). Racial differences in health-related quality of life and functional ability in patients with gout.https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kew356
Warees W, et al. (2022). Crutches.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539724/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD — Written by Jennifer M. Edwards on August 16, 2022

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media