How to Stop Armpit Pain From Crutches

Armpit pain from crutches comes from one habit: resting your body weight on the underarm pads instead of pushing down through your hands. Fix that, set the height right, and the soreness usually fades fast.

Why the underarm is the wrong place to carry weight

The top pad of an underarm crutch is there to steady the crutch against your ribs, not to hold you up. When you slump down and let the pad take your weight, you press on the soft tissue under your arm where nerves and blood vessels sit close to the surface.

Prolonged pressure there is a known issue (sometimes called crutch palsy), which is the main reason to keep your weight in your hands. This is general guidance, not medical advice. See your doctor if you have numbness, tingling, or weakness.

The fix: height plus technique

Two things solve most armpit pain:

• Height. Standing straight in your shoes, set the pad about 2 inches (two finger-widths) below your armpit. The grips should sit at wrist-crease height so your elbows bend slightly.
• Technique. Push down through the hand grips to lift and swing your body. Keep your shoulders relaxed and down. If you can pinch the crutch against your side and lift your arm off the pad while standing, your height is close to right.

Padding that actually helps

Stock pads on basic crutches are thin and firm, which is why long days hurt even with good form. Two cheap upgrades make a real difference:

• Softer underarm pads (gel or memory foam) spread out the contact pressure against your ribs.
• Cushioned hand-grip covers ease the soreness in your palms once your hands are carrying the load.

For specific picks, see our guide to the best crutch pads for comfort.

Take breaks and pick the right crutches

On long days, sit and rest your arms every 20 to 30 minutes. A fitted sleeve also rubs less than a bunched-up seam under the pad.

If your crutches are still uncomfortable after adjusting them, the padding may simply be too thin. The Vive Health crutches ship with soft foam underarm and grip padding, which is why they are our comfort pick. Compare options in our best underarm crutches roundup, or take the 2-minute quiz to get matched.

Bottom line

Keep your weight in your hands, set the pad 2 inches below your armpit, add softer padding, and rest your arms. Do those four things and crutch armpit pain usually stops being a daily problem.