Forearm pressure distribution during ambulation with elbow crutches: a cross-sectional study

Table 1 Biometric data, mean pressure and size of the loaded forearm area

Biometric data				Crutch walking		Stance 50% BW		Stance 75% BW		Stance 100% BW
No.	Height [cm]	BMI [kg/m ² ]	CF [cm]	MP	MLS	MP	MLS	MP	MLS	MP	MLS
1	177	21.90	29	32.5	54.3	33.9	36.0	41.1	56.0	47.4	56.0
2	179	26.69	29	36.2	65.7	41.5	41.7	57.2	83.1	30.7	83.1
3	184	23.63	30	45.8	46.1	41.9	21.9	47.5	74.0	65.8	74.0
4	183	23.29	27	31.8	40.6	31.5	20.7	36.5	54.1	37.9	54.1
5	172	25.88	28	32.4	57.8	30.3	33.3	40.8	67.6	47.2	67.6
6	176	26.79	28.5	36.8	33.1	35.2	12.1	42.8	59.2	55.2	59.2
7	178	23.22	28	55.2	20.5	55.3	15.0	62.6	53.3	74.8	53.3
8	183	23.46	29	46.0	42.3	50.4	5.9	55.1	78.0	61.4	78.0
9	169	22.06	26.5	35.4	32.2	43.5	10.9	41.3	67.5	52.0	67.5
10	177	23.30	28	22.5	39.0	21.5	6.8	24.0	71.1	43.1	71.1
Mean	177.8	24.0	28.3	37.5	43.2	38.5	20.4	44.9	66.4	51.6	66.4
1SD	4.8	1.8	1.0	9.2	13.4	10.0	12.7	11.2	10.4	13.3	10.4

Data are shown for crutch walking and stance with 50%, 75% and 100% body weight (BW) supported by the crutches for all 10 subjects. The load distribution between the crutches and the subjects’ foot was controlled using two force plates. For the 100% BW stance, subjects were asked to balance on their crutches with both legs lifted off the ground.
BMI body mass index; CF forearm circumference; MP mean pressure [kPa], MLS size of the pressure loaded forearm area [cm²].

ISSN: 1743-0003