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Research and development of a radical alternative to the standard NHS crutch, made of carbon fibre, styled as sports equipment and adaptable to the needs of the individual.
For many people, crutches are difficult to use. There are few alternatives to those provided by the NHS and these differ only slightly. This lack of choice is felt particularly by those who rely on crutches for long periods of time.
The goal of this design-research project was to develop a radically different crutch by redefining walking aids as professional sports equipment, and bringing with this shift a new level of comfort, performance and customisation. This was achieved by addressing functionality, ergonomics and ease of manufacture along with appearance issues and specialist materials.
A new assembly process has been developed so that the crutches start life as a series of separate, interchangeable components that are assembled to best fit the individual’s body, ability and style. These components include those intended to last for several years and those intended to wear out or be replaced as the user’s preferences change.
The replaceable foot is designed to absorb the impact in each step, making the gait more fluid and allowing people to bound further than ever before. The carbon fibre stem’s distinctive shape allows objects to be carried below the handle. The handle’s upper surface is soft and is intended absorb wear instead of the user’s own palms; the shape strategically distributes the load, avoiding nerve bundles in the hand. The bow supporting the forearm uses a fabric mesh.
The Pro-crutches project was exhibited at the Science Museum in London in 2002.
