Buying
Where to buy crutches near me
Pharmacies, big-box stores, medical supply dealers, hospitals, and online retailers, compared on how fast you can get crutches, what they cost, and what selection you actually get.
Contents 7 sections
Almost everyone searching this has the same problem: something is broken or sprained, you were handed a pair of crutches you dislike or none at all, and you want to solve it in the next few hours. The options are not equal, and the fastest one is not the cheapest or the best fitting.
Find a crutch supplier near you
The five places that sell crutches
| Where | Speed | Selection | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, grocery pharmacy) | Same day | One or two underarm models | $25–$45 |
| Big box (Walmart, Target, Costco) | Same day | One underarm model, sometimes a cane | $20–$40 |
| Medical supply dealer | Same day | Several styles, fitted | $35–$150 |
| Hospital or clinic | At discharge | Whatever is in the closet | $40–$120 on the bill |
| Online | 1–3 days | Everything, including forearm | $25–$400 |
Retail pharmacy: the default answer
A drugstore is the right first call for most people. Chains keep basic aluminum underarm crutches near the home health aisle, no prescription is needed, and you walk out in ten minutes. The catch is that crutches are a low-turnover item. A single store might carry two pairs, and a busy weekend clears them out. Call the specific store, not the corporate line, and ask whether they have adult crutches in stock right now.
Height matters more than people expect. Most drugstore crutches come in an adult range that fits roughly 5'2" to 5'10". If you are outside that, a pharmacy may genuinely not have your size and a medical supply dealer becomes the better trip.
Medical supply dealers: the underrated option
These are the businesses this directory is built around. A home medical equipment dealer typically stocks underarm and forearm crutches, walkers, canes, and knee scooters, and someone there will adjust the height for you rather than leaving you to guess. They are also the lane that bills Medicare and private insurance.
The trade-off is hours. Many are weekday-only and close at 5pm, so a Saturday injury usually means a pharmacy first and a proper fitting on Monday.
Hospitals: convenient, rarely cheap
If you leave an emergency department on crutches, they are almost always billed. The item shows up as durable medical equipment on the statement, frequently above retail, and it is the plain underarm model. It is fine as a stopgap. It is not a reason to skip comparing.
Online: the only reliable source for forearm crutches
If you will be on crutches for more than a couple of months, or you have wrist, shoulder, or nerve issues, forearm crutches are worth the wait for shipping. Retail stores in the US overwhelmingly stock underarm crutches, and the ergonomic and articulating designs are effectively online-only. See the online options →
How to use this directory
Search your city or ZIP code and you get every business near you that is federally registered to supply medical equipment or dispense prescriptions, with a phone number next to each one. Registration is a strong signal that a place sells this category, but it is not an inventory system. The phone call is still the step that saves you a wasted trip.
Common questions
- What is the cheapest place to buy crutches?
- A big-box store or a drugstore house brand, usually $20 to $40 for aluminum underarm crutches. Hospitals charge the most for the same product because it is billed as a supply item rather than sold at retail.
- Can I buy crutches without a prescription?
- Yes, everywhere in the US. Crutches are an over-the-counter product. The prescription requirement only appears when you want insurance to pay for them.
- Do hospitals give you crutches?
- Emergency departments and orthopedic clinics usually send you home with a pair, but they are rarely free. They appear on the bill as durable medical equipment, often at a higher price than a drugstore, and they are almost always basic underarm crutches.
- Does Walmart or Target sell crutches?
- Walmart stocks them in most supercenters near the pharmacy. Target is inconsistent and often carries them online only. Both are worth a phone call before a drive, since mobility aids are a slow-moving category and single-store stock runs out.
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.
- CMS: National Plan and Provider Enumeration System The federal registry this directory is built from
- CMS: Medicare provider and supplier enrollment What being an enrolled DME supplier means, and why it decides who can bill
- Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment coverage The prescription and supplier conditions that apply wherever you buy
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.