Crutches are one of the most common devices used by people recovering from foot, ankle, or leg injuries. They’re also a device that many patients need to purchase and replace periodically throughout their lives as they grow older. What’s more, crutches can be expensive! How much do crutches cost? That is what this article intends to answer.
Types Of Crutches
There are three main types of crutches: the underarm, forearm, and hand-held. The underarm type is usually preferred by those who have a lot more upper body strength. Forearm crutches require less arm support but may be difficult for some people to use because they put more weight on one’s hands than others. Hand-held crutches typically allow the person using them to move faster while also providing structural support in areas such as the fingers or palm where other types might not provide it all that well.
The reason why there are so many different variations of these devices is mainly due to personal preference! Each individual has the level of physical fitness they need when recovering from an injury, and each type of crutch provides a different level of support.
Where To Buy Crutches
- A doctor or other orthopedic specialist’s office
- Pharmacy (such as Publix, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid)
- Medical stores such as Sears or Walmart.
- Retail stores like Target
- Online retailers like Amazon, eBay, Carex Rehab Store, etc.
You may have to pay a shipping fee for buying crutches online, but it can be worth the cost savings! You should know about purchasing from these places that some of them offer discounts if your insurance company includes coverage on this item in their policy. It’s always a good idea to verify with your provider before making any purchases- even when ordering online, so you don’t end up paying any more than you need to.
Factors That Affect The Crutches Price
- Brand and Model Number: Brands such as Garment Guards cost more because they offer additional padding that provides better protection for delicate skin areas like bony knees when sitting down while wearing them all day long at work; some brands also come with an option of a holder, so you don’t need one hand to hold your drink mug or something similar.
- Size of the person using them: The size of a crutch is measured by height and weight. If you are tall or heavy, your crutches will be taller with more padding to support your body better on uneven surfaces such as sidewalks or slippery flooring like a tile; if you’re short or light, they’ll be shorter with less padding since these people don’t need so much extra support from their armpits down
- Where the purchase takes place (local pharmacy vs. online): Local pharmacies tend to have higher prices for accessories because they usually stock fewer brands than an online retailer such as Amazon that carries hundreds of different models. You can also compare prices between stores to find out which has the best deals – sometimes this might even be the pharmacy.
- The type of crutches you buy: Crutches are made out of different materials such as aluminum, steel, or a combination of the two. The type of material used also affects the price since it’s often more expensive to make crutches with higher quality parts and design
- Extras: Brands may offer customization options like engraving on your crutch tips (which can be useful for people who might want to differentiate their left from right in crowds) that will increase the cost but sometimes comes at no additional charge if you buy online
- The number needed: If you need one pair only, this reduces the price considerably because there is less work involved in producing them. On the other hand, it becomes much cheaper if you need many pairs – say 20-30.
The Usual Costs of Different Types of Crutches
Cost of Crutches Sold at Different Stores
The good news is that there are many different sources for patients to buy crutches from. The bad news, unfortunately, is that not all of them offer the same quality or price. Some stores will charge a lot more than others for the same product! So how much do crutches cost? That depends on what type you buy and where you purchase it from.
In general, though, underarm models seem to be around $100-$200 while forearm types range between $50-150 dollars (depending upon design). Hand-held devices tend to fluctuate in pricing but usually fall somewhere in between those two ranges at about $140-$190 each–though some can go as high as upwards of $230 if they’re especially heavy-duty.
Cost of Crutches at a Local Pharmacy
The cost of crutches will depend on the store where you purchase them from, so it’s important to shop around and compare prices before making your decision. The average price can range anywhere between $80-$120 -which is quite reasonable! Keep in mind that if you’re buying these devices only temporarily (such as after an injury), this may be a good option because they are not typically used long-term as wheelchairs or walkers would be.
Additional Costs Associated With Crutches
Depending on the type of crutch that you buy, there may be additional charges associated with it. For example, forearm types will usually come with a carrying case or bag to put them back in when not being used–which can increase the overall cost anywhere from an extra $20-$40 at most stores.
Some brands also offer customization options such as engraving your tips (for those who might want to differentiate their left and right), for which they may charge up to an added fee of about $30 depending upon which store you purchase them from.
This is just one more thing that people need to consider before buying these devices, so this price should be included if considering total costs.
They also offer the following services for crutches at an additional cost:
- Custom engravings on their crutches
- Crutch carrying cases and bags for those who don’t want to carry them around in the box that they came with
- Heavy-duty models, which are usually more expensive due to the extra weight of steel or aluminum.
What is Included in the Cost?
What is included with the purchase of a regular crutch:
- The device itself
- A carrying bag
- A small pack of replacement parts to keep it in good condition for a long time.
- Replacement footplate pads, handgrip covers, and rubber tips can be purchased separately or as part of their package deal when you buy from them online. This may also include other accessories (such as water bottles) depending on where you shop–so ask before purchasing!
Ways to Save Money when buying Crutches
- Contact your insurance company to find out what is covered
- Make sure you have a physician’s referral for the device in question
- Be aware of any deductibles that may be associated with this purchase. This can cover anything from 15%-60% of the cost depending on which type you buy and who it comes through, so make sure that this information doesn’t get left out!
- Compare prices with your insurance to see what is most cost-effective for you
- Insurance may also cover this service
- This is often a good option for those who can’t afford to purchase them and would only need them temporarily
- Keep in mind that there will be costs associated with rentals, such as an initial one-time fee (usually somewhere between $30-$100 ) plus the cost of having it delivered to you if needed. These fees are usually per month/week or day depending on which type you rent from–so make sure you factor these into your calculations before making any decisions! However, most places offer some discount when renting crutches long-term, so keep this in mind.
- You can also rent a pair of crutches for both legs. These are usually more expensive than just renting one, so be sure to look into this option before making any decision.
- The average person should put their crutches under the armpits to start and then transfer them to whichever dominant arm so they can use it.
- Some people may need a little bit of help from someone else when transferring over–so make sure you consider this before making any purchases that are too expensive for your needs!
- If unsure about whether or not these devices will work best for you, contact local orthopedic offices in your area (or even general doctors) who might be able to recommend some places where you could go try out different models.
FAQ
Conclusion
If you are in the market for crutches, it is important to know how much they cost. The average price of a set of crutches ranges from $75 to $150. However, many factors affect this number, like brand and whether or not the product includes features such as an adjustable height and rotating handgrip. In addition to these standard features, some models also have other add-ons, including a carrying case with straps so that your hands can be free while walking around without worrying about dropping them. To find out more about what affects the cost of a pair of crutches and where to buy one at affordable prices, check out our blog post!