Purpose: Evaluation of a hands free crutch. This interesting device is intended for patients who have undergone foot and ankle surgery and should be non-weight bearing. It involves a knee tray attached to a vertical beam with a rubber foot. The crutch is strapped to the lower limb and weight is transferred though the proximal tibia.

Methods: Five Volunteers were assessed using the crutch, the K9 walker and 2 standard crutches in a simulated environment.

A comparison was made between this device and the K9 walker which has been shown to be a liberating walking aid indoors. Tasks from activities of daily living, productivity and transfers were included. Assessment was undertaken by the Occupational Therapy Team.

The hands free crutch was also compared with non weight bearing using two crutches to gauge performance outdoors. Assessment of ease of use and safety was undertaken by the Physiotherapy Team.

Results: Domestic chores including cleaning, cooking and shopping were possible using this device. Sitting activities were noted to be more difficult, because of the necessity to remove the crutch on each occasion.

Although speed was significantly greater (p< 0.0001.) using two crutches, the hands free crutch permitted safe outdoor mobilisation on even or uneven ground, up and down slopes with a gradient of 1 in 10 and up and down stairs. Good single leg stance stability was predictive of ease of use and safety for the hands free crutch.

Discussion: The hands free crutch is suited to motivated and physically able patients. Other lower limb pathology contraindicates the use of this device, but in patients with upper limb pathology it would permit non-weight bearing mobilisation. Good balance is paramount and perhaps a falls risk assessment should be performed prior to use.