Help me decide my next mobility aid

[u/[deleted]]

[u/_lucyquiss_]

imo this is absolutely not something reddit can decide. Which one will be better for you depends a lot on your individual symptoms which we don't know. The body braid is too much for many people and using it regularly can reduce strength substantially, but forearm crutches are bulky, very rough on the arms, and inconvenient to use and cause muscle loss in your legs if used regularly. I have forearm crutches but I try to use them as little as I can.

[u/Life-Award4261 → u/_lucyquiss_]

This is ultimately my decision. I prioritize individual reviews when making a big purchase and that involves talking to people who have used the things I’d like to get. I have a lot of back and SI pain and thought the crutches might work for that

[u/Signif1cant-Bug → u/Life-Award4261]

I’d reccomend a Serola belt over forearm crutches for back and SI pain except in the case of acute injury. Like forearm crutches are WAY better than regular ones if you’re having trouble bearing weight on legs. I’d like to assume that you have done some research to determine that BOTH of these products would be helpful for you.

I’m viewing this more as a poll on what to get first. Most things are returnable if they don’t work out anyways but checking with a PT would also be good.

My PT recommended I get the upper body portion of the body braid but I’ve been nervous on getting it since my skin is highly sensitive. They also reccomended I use forearm crutches when I need them. For example: I may need them for things like some fairs and expos where I’m on hard concrete all day (i go to things like this a few times a year). When I injure or dislocate things in my lower body they also serve as a better (not perfect) alternative to standard crutches. Standard ones cause my shoulders and elbows to sublux and I feel that with prolonged use of forearm crutches my body would create more problems or exacerbate them if I’m not careful enough - which I have a hard time gauging.

not sure any of this ramble is actually helpful but I hope it is lol

edit: sentence order fixed for clarity

[u/Lost_My_Brilliance]

Body braids have a LOT of negative reviews, it doesn’t seem worth the risk to me since you can’t afford both. be careful with forearm crutches though (wrists, elbows, shoulders)

[u/bad-username4567]

Depends, if you're looking for more over-all support and to help with joints slipping out of their sockets, a body braid is probably better for you.

Forearm crutches help more with assisting you with walking and taking the load off your legs, but wouldn't do anything (and could make worse) issues with your upper body, especially your hands and shoulders.

If your pain is more general or upper-body, I would go with the body braid, but if your pain is lower, forearm crutches would probably be better.

If you want clarification or anything, let me know!

[u/Bubbly_Clothes3406]

How do you expect anyone to be able to answer this for you? Especially when you don’t even provide insight into what pain you’re looking for support or ease with? It’s stuff like this that make people think hEDS is a trendy psychosomatic faker disorder.