This is one of those “learn from my mistakes” posts.
Looking back, I completely understand why I made the assumption I’m going to tell you about, but I can’t help but laugh now. You see, for my first two years living in France, I had this impression that an enormous amount of people in my area were handicapped after seeing about 10 people per week walking around with forearm crutches.
In the USA, forearm crutches are most commonly used as permanent aids for people with disabilities and not just a temporary aid after an accident. With French crutches, you slip your hand and arm through the brace part that rests on your forearm. I’ve always associated them with people who had a permanent disability. My middle school French teacher had polio and he had these crutches. So did Dr. Kerry Weaver on the TV show ER (for hip displasia). If you have a temporary leg injury in the USA, you’re given underarm crutches that are taller and rest under your armpit. It’s just a different style and I’ve never seen this underarm kind in France.
So here I was after moving to France thinking that there were a ton of people with disabilities in my area. I never thought much of it. This led to a funny misunderstanding between Tom and me about a year later that went something like this….
Read on!
French crutches vs American crutches
A few years ago, a teenager passed us on the street with a leg brace and winced with every step. He had forearm crutches — French crutches — similar to the ones on the left in the image above. To me, those are typical French crutches whereas the ones at the right are American crutches.
***
Tom: Aw, looks like he’s really in pain.
Diane: Yeah, well not that it makes it any better but he’s probably used to it and has a good team of doctors to help manage everything he’s going through. [Me assuming he had a disability or something he’s dealt with for a while]
Tom: Why would he be used to it? You think he hurts his leg a lot?
Diane: No, just that he probably deals with a lot day to day and everything that comes with having a disability.
Tom: Huh? I think he has a busted knee. What are you talking about, a disability?
Diane: What are YOU talking about?
***
At this point, the misunderstanding over French crutches became clear and I explained to Tom that forearm crutches are most commonly used in the US for people with a disability, a permanent aid and not a temporary aid to use for a few weeks while an injury heals. In the case of an injury, the most common type of American crutches are the taller crutches that rest under the armpit.
He laughed and explained that in France all crutches are forearm style so if you’re a 10-year-old with a broken ankle, you’ll have the same crutches as someone with a disability. Same style. We had a good laugh about the differences between European crutches vs American ones.
FYI, crutches in French are les béquilles.
***
So next time you’re in France, if you see someone with forearm crutches, don’t assume a thing! French crutches and American crutches are different!
Hi,
French here. I love your blog by the way! These underarm crutches were used a long time ago, I remember my grandfather wlaking with it because he had a permanent disability (wooden leg from WW2).
I must say I have never seen anybody else with such crutches.
All the best,
Arnault
Americans are stuck in the past! I looked up some WW2 pics on google and yup, seems the upright ones were very common many years ago. Funny that we still use them in the USA! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. So happy you like the blog!
Your tale of two crutches reminds me of something only slightly related. My American niece was in Paris on a term-abroad program, where she stepped off the curb without looking. She was hit by a taxi but not injured seriously. She did, however, get an ambulance ride to the hospital, an examination, a pair of French crutches for a month or so, and some pain medication. It cost her something less than 5 euros total, and that was for the pain prescription. (She also said the Parisian bystanders were helpful.)
Oh no!! Glad she was treated and wasn’t seriously injured, Yikes that’s scary! But yay for French healthcare prices (and helpful bystanders)!
I fell and broke my knee on Mont St. Michel years ago and was given the forearm crutch. You know what? I liked it better! When I arrived home I briefly traded it for the standard US wooden crutches and was in agony.They strain and pain under my arms was just awful so I went back to using my French one! Live and learn, lol. Great post and great blog!!
Yup, I’ve heard that from a few people! Thanks so much!
I didn’t notice anyone using crutches during a whole summer I spent in France, but I was busy looking at other sights. During my first week there, I sat on the floor on my knees with my feet under me, and sat back on my heels and popped my ankle out of place and could barely walk! I thought I’d have to hobble around Paris with a cane all summer, so I could have used those crutches! Luckily, it popped back into place and I had a great summer. 🙂
Oh thank goodness it popped back in. I feel like my knee will pop out if I sit like that. But at least if it ever does, at least I have some cool crutches to try out (joking, hope i never need them)
I thought the same thing for the longest time! I have never had crutches (knock on wood), but I would imagine that forearm crutches are more comfortable than underarm ones.
Oh good, glad I’m not the only one who thought the French were all disabled! Me and my idiotic thoughts hahaha
haha great story author. personally has get into similar situation few years ago. Could also share similar stories 🙂
That’s funny because most of French people (included me) thinks that underarm crutches are very very old! like, from the last century! When I was a teen I spent a few weeks at Washington DC and I broke my leg. They gave me underarm crutches and I was so suprised, exept en old ww2 movies I had never seen some. I asked for “modern one” and the doctor thaugh I was a fool!
I had to use it and it was not practicle at all. I understood that because Americans are used to it they asked for that kind of crutches . Because they made a lot of them they are cheaper.
Underarm crutches used to be used but are now banned in most European countries due to the risk of injuring the nerves that go under your armpit (the brachial plexus). This happens when people don’t use the crutches correctly and lean on them pushing all their weight into the the armpit squashing the nerves. Not sure why the Americans still use them.
Underarm crutches in French are “béquilles” but the technical name for forearm crutches are “cannes anglaises”. Everyone refers to both types as “béquilles” though
I have a meniscus tear and I’m going to have surgery soon and I’m really worried about how I will get around on crutches after surgery. My doctor said I will have to use them for a month. I have read that the US is the only country that still uses the old-fashioned crutches. So I googled what do they use in France? Your article came up! The forearm crutches you talk about seem a much better option and I’m going to look into it! Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re very welcome and sending healing vibes for your upcoming surgery!
Thanks so much Diane, I appreciate it!