Buying
Buying crutches online
When ordering crutches online beats a drugstore trip, what forearm and ergonomic models cost, how to get the size right, and why insurance rarely applies to marketplace purchases.
Contents 5 sections
Ordering makes sense for exactly one reason: selection. US retail stocks underarm crutches and almost nothing else, so if you want forearm crutches, an ergonomic grip, a tall or bariatric size, or a spring-assisted design, online is where they live.
If you need crutches in the next few hours, do not order. Buy the cheap aluminum pair at a pharmacy near you, then order the ones you actually want to arrive in a few days. That two-step is what most people end up doing anyway.
Find a crutch supplier near you
What to order, by situation
| Your situation | What to order | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Six weeks or less, standard height | Do not order. Buy locally. | $25–$45 |
| Months of daily use | Forearm crutches, adjustable | $50–$120 |
| Hand, wrist, or shoulder pain | Ergonomic forearm crutches | $150–$400 |
| Over 6'2" or under 4'10" | Tall or youth-specific model | $40–$140 |
| Above standard weight rating | Bariatric crutches, rated 350–500 lb | $60–$160 |
| Below-knee injury, flat ground | Knee scooter instead | $120–$250 |
Where people buy
- General marketplaces (Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com). Widest stock of budget underarm and basic forearm crutches, fastest shipping, easiest returns. Quality is inconsistent between no-name brands; read the height and weight specs rather than the photo.
- Drugstore websites (CVS, Walgreens). Same catalogue as the shelf, plus ship-to-store, which is worth using if the local branch is out of stock.
- Specialist mobility retailers and manufacturers. Where the ergonomic and articulating designs actually come from. More expensive, better documentation on fit, and some are enrolled Medicare suppliers that can bill insurance directly. Crutches.com is one of them.
- Local medical supply dealers. Often overlooked: many of the 88,756 dealers in this directory will order a model in for you, which gets you the specialist product plus a fitting. Call and ask.
Shop crutches at Crutches.com →
The three specs that decide whether they fit
- User height range. Printed on every legitimate product listing. Measure in the shoes you will wear.
- Weight capacity. Standard is roughly 250–300 lb. Exceeding it is a genuine safety issue, not a guideline.
- Handgrip adjustability. Separate from overall height, and the adjustment that prevents wrist pain. Some cheap models fix the grip position; avoid those.
Full sizing and fitting guide →
Returns are the real risk
Mobility aids are frequently classed as personal health items with restricted returns once opened. Check the return policy before ordering, particularly on specialist sites where a $300 pair may be final sale. Buying through a local dealer sidesteps this entirely, because you try them before you pay.
CrutchDirectory does not sell crutches and has no commercial relationship with any business listed in the directory. Retailer names above are categories of option, not endorsements.
Common questions
- Is it cheaper to buy crutches online?
- For basic underarm crutches, no. A drugstore pair is $25 to $45 and you get it today; shipping erases any online saving. Online wins on selection, and it is effectively the only way to buy forearm or ergonomic crutches in the US without a specialist visit.
- How fast can I get crutches delivered?
- One to three days from the large marketplaces, longer from specialist manufacturers. If you need them today, buy a cheap pair locally and order the better ones to arrive later. Many people end up doing exactly that.
- Can I use insurance when buying online?
- Usually not. Medicare and most private plans pay enrolled DME suppliers, and consumer marketplaces are not enrolled. Some specialist online suppliers are, and will bill insurance directly. Ask before ordering.
- What size should I order?
- Check the manufacturer height range against your height in the shoes you will wear, and check the weight rating. Standard crutches usually fit about 5'2" to 5'10" and are rated near 250 to 300 lb; tall and bariatric versions exist but are separate products.
How we researched this guide
Written and maintained by the CrutchDirectory editorial team at NLH Enterprises LLC. Coverage rules, billing codes and equipment definitions are taken from primary government sources, linked below. Prices are typical US retail ranges observed at national retailers and change often, so treat them as a bracket rather than a quote.
- Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment coverage Why a marketplace purchase is not covered, and what an enrolled supplier is
- FDA: 21 CFR 890.3150, crutch device classification What a crutch is required to be labelled with, including height and weight ratings
Not medical advice. These guides cover products, prices and coverage mechanics. They are not written or reviewed by a clinician and do not diagnose or treat anything. Which mobility aid suits your injury, and what weight you may put through it, are questions for the clinician treating you.