Hands-Free Crutch

Abstract

A crutch for assisting a user to walk includes a leg platform configured to support a portion of a leg of the user, and a ground contact having a weight supporting medial contact region that is disposed higher than a weight supporting lateral contact region. An optional strap on the leg platform can be used to maintain the leg in a forward position. An optional thigh saddle can be used to help prevent lateral movement of the user's upper thigh with respect to the crutch. An optional front facing handle can assist new users in learning to use the crutch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crutch configured to accommodate different circumference legs, comprising:
 a frame;   a lower leg platform coupled to the frame;   a thigh fastener coupled to the frame through left and right arms, the left and right arms disposed to engage a user's upper thigh; and   independently adjustable left and right mechanisms configured to adjustably fix the angular positions at which the left and right arms, respectively, extend from the frame along a horizontal plane such that the angular positions of each of the left and right arms can be fixed at a plurality of angles along the horizontal plane relative to the frame and such that the angular positions of each of the left and right arms relative to the frame along the horizontal plane can be fixed at different angles from each other.   
     
     
         2 . The crutch of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the left and right arms is at least partially rigid. 
     
     
         3 . The crutch of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the left and right arms has a length of at least 4 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The crutch of  claim 1 , wherein the lower leg platform transitions from a “U” shaped anterior portion to a “V” shaped posterior portion. 
     
     
         5 . The crutch of  claim 1 , further comprising a forward fastener positioned to draw the user's knee anteriorly and inferiorly. 
     
     
         6 . The crutch of  claim 1 , further comprising a rear fastener configured to fasten a mid portion of the user's lower leg to the lower leg platform. 
     
     
         7 . The crutch of  claim 1 , further comprising a foot rotatable relative to the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The crutch of  claim 1 , further comprising a foot rotatable with respect to the lower leg platform.