Hope Crutch

  by CareBorne

Made in
the USA

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The HOPE Crutch is used by over 90 Division I universities, the NBA, and the NFL
A new concept of Stabilizing Crutch Behind the User (SCBU)
provides two points of body contact with each crutch - the hand and behind the shoulder.

Stabilizing Crutch Behind the User (SCBU) simply provides a safer, better crutch. 
The reasons are just basic physics.

Athletes say the difference between conventional crutches and 
the HOPE Crutch is "the difference between night and day".


A SAFER, MORE STABLE CRUTCH
The Hope Crutch is used by more than 90 Division I Universities, the NBA, and the NFL.

 • SCBU PROVIDES TWO POINTS OF BODY CONTACT PER CRUTCH
Stabilizing the Crutch Behind the User (SCBU) provides two points of body contact per crutch which prevents the crutch from slipping out from under the arm. SCBU crutch use is more vertical, allowing a greater percentage of the crutch tip to make contact with the surface. Of major importance, no direct downward force is applied to the inside of the crutch tips as is the case with conventional crutches are held against the sides of the body. This makes a big difference on hard, slippery, or wet surfaces where conventional crutches tend to slip out sideways.
• ELIMINATES UNDERARM IRRITATION
Instead of creating friction with a large rubber pad area, the aim is to reduce as much friction as possible by use of a smooth curved surface. Thus underarm irritation and soreness are eliminated. SCBU reduces the risk of axillary nerve damage and  interuption of blood circulation.
• LESS MUSCLE STRESS AND FATIGUE
Conventional crutches require the user to do an arm push-up with each step. Conventional crutches put stress on the wrist, elbows, shoulders and the spine. SCBU significantly reduces all of these areas of stress allowing the body to be like the pendelom on a clock and glide through with a straight spine. SCBU allows a person to keep their arms straight, favoring the use of the larger triceps and preventing the up and down motions caused by bent elbows. Because the smaller arm muscles such as elbow extensors are not functionally designed for supporting the body's weight, conventional crutch users fatique quickly.
• ENERGY SAVINGS
Much less metabolic energy is required because the crutch doesn't have to be held in by the arms. If you want to go in a forward motion, it is very inefficient to require lateral forces at 90 degrees to hold the crutch top from slipping forward or backward. By SCBU, the downward forces applied to the crutch handle assist or complement the forward motion.
• IMPROVES SPEED AND RANGE
Gait analysis studies show ambulation on conventional axillary crutches is customarily at 50% the speed of a slow walk. With SCBU 80% the speed of a slow walk is the norm. This is made possible by the increase in length of stride, overall smoothness of gait, and the use of only the larger muscles. The length of each stride is increased by two to three inches as a result of a six inch longer lever created by SCBU. 
• EASY TO LEARN
The SCBU crutch and user are in a more upright position, i.e., a person is able to stand more erect and not lean forward. This upright body position improves balance, as well as providing a much smoother, safer transition from one step to the next.
• EASY TO USE
People who previously found conventional crutches impossible to use can use a SCBU. Only minimum training is required. A person can easily experience the difference by using one conventional crutch and one SCBU crutch at the same time.
• HOPE HANDLE
The HOPE Crutch handle is ergonomically-designed which makes it much more comfortable than a conventional crutch handle.  It is designed to reduce stress on the wrist and hand. 

Two versions of this new idea in crutches are in use today - the HOPE Crutch and the Stabilizer Crutch.
Both versions incorporate the SCBU patent feature invented by CareBorne.

BENEFITS OF
THE SCBU CRUTCH
  • Stabilizing the Crutch Behind the User (SCBU) means the crutch becomes more stable and cannot slip forward.
  • With the SCBU both the crutch and the user are in a more upright position. The more vertical position of the SCBU allows a greater percentage of the crutch tip to make contact with the floor or ground. The result is more stability for the user, and the accompanying peace of mind, so that even on slippery surfaces there is less chance of the crutch slipping.
  • The use of a smooth curved surface, instead of the traditional large rubber pad under the arm, reduces friction - thus underarm irritation and soreness are eliminated.
  • Much less metabolic energy is required because the crutch doesn't have to be held in by the arms. Instead, the forces applied to the crutch assist or complement the forward motion.
  • The common procedure for fitting crutches is to have an elbow angle of ten to thirty degrees of flexion. Because the smaller muscles are not functionally designed for supporting the body's weight, they fatigue faster than the larger muscles. SCBU allows a person to keep his arms straight, prohibiting the up and down motions caused by bent elbows, and favors the use of the larger triceps and pectoral muscles.
  • Many amputees credit the SCBU for making a big improvement in balance. They also feel it provides a much smoother transition from one step to the next.
  • People in their fifties, sixties and seventies who found conventional crutches impossible to use have been able to use a SCBU crutch.