How Much Do Crutches Cost?

Last Updated on July 25, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Recovering from leg, ankle, knee, or foot injuries and surgeries often necessitates using crutches to avoid reinjury and safely mobilize during rehabilitation periods requiring non-weight bearing status.

But with so many types and styles of medical crutches available, what specific options exist and how much does purchasing them typically cost?

Myriad factors affect crutch pricing significantly, including crutch type, materials like wood, aluminum or carbon fiber, customizable features, retailer markups, insurance coverage, and rent versus buy considerations.

This guide compares costs across standard crutch varieties and materials, breaks down value-added adjustable features, contrasts prices between online retailers and medical suppliers, weighs renting pros and cons, explains insurance particulars, and provides budget tips for keeping mobility independence affordable throughout the recovery process.

How Much Do Crutches Cost?

Expect to budget anywhere from just $20 for basic wooden crutches up to $300 or more for highly adjustable specialty pairs incorporating advanced ergonomic designs and premium materials.

Underarm Crutches – The most common, accessible, and affordable mobility aid option starting around $20-$60 per pair, with basic models made of wood or aluminum. Features simple L-shaped padded designs that transfer body weight directly through the armpits. Offers minimal adjustability or padding.

Forearm Crutches – Slightly more supportive crutches with added stability via a cuff that surrounds the forearm for increased weight distribution and arm comfort. Runs $50-$150 per pair depending on materials, padding, and adjustments. Great for long-term usage avoiding underarm abrasions.

Specialty Crutches – Various specialized crutch designs catered to needs beyond standard injury cases including pediatric sizes for children, bariatric models supporting heavier weights, and ergonomic styles with advanced shock absorption. Ranges from $60 for basic options up to $200-$300 per pair for more tailored pairs incorporating the latest high-performance materials and biomechanics.

The Amazon Best Sellers page for Crutches shows a wide range of prices for various models and brands. For example, the iWALK3.0 Hands Free Crutch is priced at $159, while the Hugo Crutches Adult & Youth model costs $20.59.

Other options include the Carex Folding Aluminum Under Arm Crutches for $40.98, the BodyMed Aluminum Crutches for $34.99, and the Medline Lightweight Aluminum Red Dot Guardian Crutches for $29.99.

The HomeCare Hospital Beds website offers several crutch options, such as the Drive Medical Knock Down Universal Aluminum Crutches for $56.86, the Drive Medical Bariatric Heavy Duty Walking Crutches starting at $242.87, and the Drive Medical Crutch Accessory Replacement Kit for $29.59.

They also sell individual crutch components, like the Drive Medical Crutch Hand Grips for $16.99 and the Drive Medical Crutch Tips starting at $9.81.

The Statewide Home Health Care website in Australia provides pricing for their crutch rentals and sales. They offer Ergonomic Forearm Crutches (Arthritic Handled) for $59.95 or four payments of $14.99, and Axilla Underarm Crutches for $41.00 or four payments of $10.25.

The website emphasizes that all their crutches are easy to adjust and available in various sizes, including Child, Youth, Adult, and Adult Tall.

The Cool Crutches website allows customers to design their own personalized crutches, offering a unique and customizable option. While they do not provide specific pricing information, the website showcases examples of bespoke designs created for customers, ranging from sports colors and cartoon characters to photographs of loved ones and glitter patterns.

Note that costs quoted denote price per pair, as crutches are traditionally used in pairs for balance and support unless an injury or condition only affects one side of the body.

Why Are Crutches So Important?

Crutches play an indispensable role in the rehabilitation process following a wide range of foot and leg injuries, surgeries, and conditions that necessitate keeping weight off the affected limb to allow proper healing without risk of reinjury through forced overuse. Specifically, crutches provide:

• Stability and balance while standing or walking using only one leg
• Fall prevention and security against sudden uncontrolled movements
• Pressure relief and reduction of weight placed on healing ankles, knees, hips, legs and feet
• An alternative to cumbersome wheelchairs, walkers, knee scooters, and rollators with greater portability and ease navigating tight spaces
• Effective low-impact upper body aerobic conditioning through rhythmic crutch walking

By taking on a large share of body weight burdens, crutches allow increased mobility and activity levels while protecting injuries against further damage, greatly aiding the rehabilitation process. With doctor guidance, selecting the optimal pair designed specifically around personal body type, injury circumstances, expected progress timeline and budget aids safe recovery.

Construction Material

Wood Crutches – The most basic and economy crutch option, with total per pair prices averaging between $20-$60. Offers a natural material feel and underarm padding. Not adjustable and relatively heavy compared to other materials.

You might also like our articles about the cost of wheelchair to rent or buy and Achilles Tendon Surgery.

Aluminum Crutches – The go-to standard material for medical crutches combining strength, low weight, and height adjustability preferred for recovery. Most adjustable consumer crutches are aluminum. Expect to pay $30-$100 per pair.

Carbon Fiber Crutches – The highest-end material option, carbon fiber crutches offer unmatched strength and rigidity under load while remaining extraordinarily lightweight. However, the significant material expense increases costs to $100-$300 per pair. Best for long-term use.

The construction materials largely determine weight, durability over years, ability to customize fit sizing, and overall pricing differences between crutch models catering to various needs and budgets.

Adjustable Features Increase Crutch Costs

Along with basic materials and support structures, some key premium features that improve crutch functionality, customization, and comfort carry additional price tags:

• Adjustable Height Settings – Offering a range of height adjustments for secure supportive custom fitting tailored to user needs often adds $10-$50 per pair to retail costs.
• Ergonomic Grips and Contoured Handlegrips – Contoured grips that mold to hand shape help diminish strain and repetitive stress injury in hands and wrists with extended use, adding $20-$100 per pair to base price depending on materials.
• Advanced Shock Absorption – Integrated spring systems and cushions that dampen impact shocks and jolts from crutch walking and weight transfer decrease joint stresses at an added expense of $50-$200 per pair versus static options.
• Folding or Telescoping Designs – Compact folding crutch designs enhance storage portability in tight spaces but the hinge mechanisms and collapsing parts add $30-$100 per pair over standard fixed crutches.

When evaluating options, physical therapists suggest factoring in expected recovery duration and long-term needs before simply opting for basic economy crutches to determine whether investing in comfort and customization extras offers worthwhile benefits for your unique injury circumstances and lifestyle.

Online Retailers vs Specialty Medical Suppliers

Consumer crutch prices often vary substantially based on the retail channel used to purchase them:

Online General Retailers – Offer very basic underarm and forearm crutch options starting at $20-$60 per pair, but generally lack specialized selections or customization suited to all patient needs. Offers convenience but no insurance coverage.

Pharmacy Retailers – Typically stock a small choice of basic adjustable aluminum crutches in the $40-$80 per pair range. Accepts insurance but limited styles.

Dedicated Medical Equipment Suppliers – Specialize in wide selections ranging from basic wood crutches under $50 per pair to highly customizable carbon fiber mobility aids costing $300+. Caters to individual patient requirements. Often insurance reimbursable.

When selecting where to purchase, carefully weigh pricing factors, insurance coverage eligibility, customization requirements, and convenience. Consulting physical therapists helps identify ideal crutch features and retailers carrying preferred models.

Should I Consider Renting?

For those expecting only brief crutch usage during recovery, rental provides temporary mobility assistance at lower upfront costs but lacks customization:

• Crutch Rentals – Basic aluminum crutches rent for approximately $10-$20 per week. Temporary solution for 1-6 weeks use with limited fitting.
• New Crutch Purchase – Buying well-fitted new crutches tailored to body type and needs averages $30-$150+ per pair depending on materials and features. Owning allows use through all recovery stages.

Evaluate projected recovery timelines and insurance variables when deciding between rental versus new purchase. Renting works for rapid short-term healing like simple sprains, while buying enables finding optimal personal pairs for long-term rehabilitation from major surgeries, fractures, and joint procedures.

Insurance Coverage

Many health insurance plans cover a portion of crutch costs if deemed medically necessary by physicians through personalized prescriptions:

• Obtain an official prescription from treating doctor detailing required crutch type, features, and estimated duration of usage.
• Contact insurance provider to confirm coverage details, pre-authorization requirements, reimbursement procedures, and exclusion clauses before purchasing.
• Save all purchase documentation including receipts to file claims for reimbursement.
• After paying deductibles, expect approximately $20-$50 out-of-pocket on average with insurance subsidizing some costs.

Pre-approvals and claim procedures vary greatly across insurance carriers and individual plans. Those with coverage can offset significant crutch expenses through proper coordination.

Finding Affordable Crutch Options

While tailoring crutches to fully meet medical needs remains vital, individuals can implement certain strategies to economize on costs:

• Thoroughly check health insurance policy coverage provisions for crutches and file for reimbursements.
• Search for online coupons and seasonal sales when purchasing quality crutches at MSRP prices.
• Consider reputable secondhand crutch sources like medical equipment thrift stores and recycling organizations if budget is highly constrained.
• Join crutch exchange and support groups to uncover bargain opportunities under $50.
• Carefully inspect used crutches for structural defects before purchasing. Seek reputable suppliers of refurbished medical equipment who stand behind products.
• Adjustable basic forearm crutches often represent the ideal balance of affordability and customization.

With diligent deal hunting, even top-end crutches needed for optimal recovery and mobility can become surprisingly affordable to obtain.

Final Words

While crutch costs can range tremendously based on materials, features, and sources from just $20 into hundreds of dollars, obtaining a customized pair matching injury circumstances and body traits proves vital for upholding non-weight bearing status throughout rehabilitation without setbacks.

With doctor guidance and savvy budgeting, mobility supporting crutches are within financial reach, especially factoring in insurance subsidies. Do not let perceived costs delay or compromise recovery. Regain mobility confidence and independence safely.