WotD: crutches

[muckefuck]

1. die Krücken, die Achselstützen
2. de krukken
3. las muletas
4. les crosses
5. les béquilles
6. y ffonfaglau
7. na maidí croise
8. kule (pachowe)
9. 목발 (脇杖)
10. 雙拐 shuānɡɡuǎi

Notes: 1. Achselstützen strikes me as a recent retronym derived from Unterarmgehstützen, the technical term for "forearm crutches". (These are the most common type used in Europe, even for those with short-term disabilities). 3. Lit., "little mules".

I'm quickly getting accustomed to the crutches. The first couple of days I was wiped, but hobbling to the bus stop this morning actually made me feel a bit invigourated, which I suppose just goes to show how foreign any kind of aerobic exercise was to my routine. I even caught the earlier shuttle, due as much to a slight improvement in my time as to a slight delay on the part of the driver. People continue to be awesome, especially around work; I only need to open doors for myself about half the time.

Doing the research for this entry made my wonder why we're still using such Dark Ages technology. Beyond the underarm soreness everyone complains about, there's also the risk of permanent nerve damage. Strutters don't have these issues; they're also $500 a pair, so little chance of them catching on in this cost-cutting climate. Leg support crutches--basically stilts you strap your bent leg into--sound even more awesome, but all I can find on them are patent applications. So maybe they'll be ready by the time I royally fuck up my knee and thus can't make use of them.

Comments

[pne.livejournal.com]

"Krücken" has an Umlaut.

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

I miss having a Mac...

[anicca-anicca.livejournal.com]

Krücken is what most people say. Stützen is what health professionals tend to call them, it's one higher up in the euphemism chain, I guess.
I'd obviously understand what "Unterarmstützen", and these are the most common kind, but I haven't heard anyone say that. I doubt "Achselstützen" (not that I've heard the word before) are still in use these days, really.

[innerdoggie.livejournal.com]

I'm just back on LJ, and wanted to extend my condolences for your broken foot. I hope that it heals up fast.