Development of Hands-Free Crutch with Passive Load-Sensitive Joint capable Locking Rotation

This study proposes the hands-free crutch featuring the load-sensitive locking joint. Traditional crutches often hinder the user's natural gait and pose risks of nerve paralysis due to pressure on the hands and armpits. In addressing these issues, we propose the hands-free crutch equipped with passive joints to facilitate a more natural gait. This paper outlines the development of the load-sensitive locking joint, which enhances safety by complementing the passive joint. Furthermore, we assess the performance of the proposed crutch by measuring joint and knee angles and walking symmetry by the symmetry index.