Medical Crutches Market – By Product, By Material, By Consumer, By Payer, By Distribution Channel, By End Use — Global Forecast, 2025 to 2034

Medical Crutches Market Size

The global medical crutches market was valued at USD 1.1 billion in 2024. The market is expected to reach from USD 1.13 billion in 2025 to USD 2 billion in 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. High market growth can be attributed to the growing incidence of disabilities and mobility issues, increased incidence of sports injuries and road accidents, expanding geriatric population, and advances in crutch design and material technology, among other contributing factors.
 

In addition to these factors, the older population are also more susceptible to mobility fractures due to osteoporosis and other aging conditions. For example, there is a recent report by United Nations (UN) research that indicates the number of individuals aged 65 years and above across the globe is expected to triple within the next three decades.
 

Moreover, the world is projected to host around 1.6 billion senior citizens by 2050, which makes up about 16% of the world’s population. This provides a clear indication that there will be more demand for crutches which aids providing controlled and independent control over safe and mobile performance.
 

Additionally, the emerging patented ultra-light materials have made ergonomic crutches some of the most comfortable and easy to use. The advancement of materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber have also contributed to manufacturing durable and lightweight adjustable products, therefore attracting more users.
 

Medical crutches are classified as assistive devices that are used to aid persons who have difficulties walking due to injuries and surgeries to limbs or even disabilities. These aids help to bring stability and limit weight bearing to a particular limb, therefore aiding mobility and promoting recovery.
 

Medical Crutches Market Trends

The market is experiencing several market trends that are shaping its growth and development. Factors such as increasing use of lightweight and durable materials, surging need for smart crutches with technological integration, and rise of telemedicine and telerehabilitation, among other factors are boosting the industry growth.
 

• Further, there is a significant shift in the designing of crutches towards better ergonomics adapting to user-friendly shape, height adjustability, padded grips, and increased overall ease of use. Design features reducing hand and armpit strain for users of different body types with increased support and flexibility are becoming the new focus of manufacturers.
   
• Moreover, the materials utilized in producing the crutches are also changing at a faster rate. The use of aluminum, carbon fiber and other advanced weight composites are becoming popular due to superior strength and lower weight of the crutches. This enhances the ease of use for the elderly and those with chronic mobility constraints thus boosting the projected growth.
   

Impact of Tariff on the Market

• ?The market may experience an adverse effects due to the tariffs set on medical devices in some areas. These policies may also impact the supply chain and escalate the production costs. As many metallic crutches are produced from aluminum and steel which face tariffs, the cost for raw materials is higher. Moreover, the sources of rubber tips and plastic handgrips are often international, so import tariffs on these items further increase production costs.
   
• Regional tariffs on medical devices raise the domestic cost of crutches making the mobility aid expensive, especially for low-income or underserved regions. This is challenging not just for patients, but also for healthcare providers who have tighter margins, procurement challenges, and reduced mobility aid availability.
   
• Additionally, domestic policies regarding trade and the potential for retaliatory tariffs could derail investment in innovative products, hindering progress in crutch functionality and design. As a response, stakeholders are looking for other alternatives such as domestic manufacturing expansion, advocating for tariff exclusions tailored to vital medical appliances, or raising strategic investments to ensure availability and affordability.
   

Medical Crutches Market Analysis

Based on product, the market is classified into forearm crutch, underarm crutch, platform crutch, leg support crutch, tetrapod crutch, and other products. The forearm crutch segment generated the highest revenue of USD 462.2 million in 2024.
 

• Compared to underarm crutches, forearm crutches have better comfort. They transfer weight to the forearms and hands reducing the strain in the areas underneath the arms and shoulders. This is beneficial for users who require to use the crutches for long periods of time. This makes them the best choice for users to recover from long-term injuries or chronic conditions like arthritis.
   
• Furthermore, these crutches are preferred by individuals with chronic disabilities or neurological disorders (like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis) who are in a long-term recovery phase post-surgery. With an increase in the number of people suffering from these conditions, the demand for more comfortable forearm crutches is rising as they are easier to use over prolonged periods than standard or traditional crutches.
   

Based on material, the medical crutches market is classified into aluminum, wood, carbon or glass fiber reinforced composite, thermoplastic, and other materials. The aluminum segment dominated the market in 2024 with a market share of 35.1%.
 

• Aluminum is an exceptionally ideal material for crutches due to it being lightweight, strong, and durable all at once. Crutches made of aluminum can be rusted and corroded resistant as well as preserve their integrity over a long period of time, including exposure to moisture and sweat.
   
• It is also a highly affordable material when compared to titanium or carbon fiber. This is beneficial for both consumers and manufacturers. The Aluminum and aluminum based products index was reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to have lowered by 14.2% within the time frame of January 2023 to January 2024. This means manufacturers of medical devices have reduced expenses.
   
• Similarly, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also claimed that in 2022 roughly 2.3 million beneficiaries covered the subsidy for mobility aids such as aluminum crutches, which marks a 12% rise from 2021. The easy accessibility along with cost-friendly characteristics of aluminum crutches helps users looking for economic mobility aids, furthering the segment's growth in the market.
   
• In the same manner, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also claimed that in 2022 roughly 2.3 million beneficiaries covered the subsidy for mobility aids such as aluminum crutches which marks a 12% rise from 2021. The easy accessibility along with cost-friendly characteristics of aluminum crutches helps users looking for economical mobility aids furthering the segment's growth in the market.
   

Based on consumer, the medical crutches market is segmented into adult and pediatric/teenager. The adult segment dominated the market in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 1.7 billion by the end of forecast period.
 

• The increase in chronic diseases that reduce mobility such as arthritis, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease among adults has made the use of mobility aids like crutches more common. As noted by the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in five people aged 60 and above suffered from mobility restrictions in 2023.
   
• As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 58.5 million U.S adults are suffering from arthritis in 2022 and 7.8 million palsy stroke survivors in the Euro Union are using mobility aids as of 2021. Along with the increasing aging population resulting in more mobility aiding illness, the UN’s projection predicting over 1.4 billion 60+ adults by 2024 poses a larger demand on crutches for adults.
   
• Additionally, better marketing strategies have heightened the adult demographic’s knowledge of mobility aids such as crutches, further propelling demand. The recommendation of crutches is common as they are a non-surgical means of restoring mobility, which is one of the reasons adults actively seek out these aids. Increased access through healthcare professionals, pharmacies, and online retailers greatly improves the availability of crutches to the general population.
   

Based on payer, the medical crutches market is classified into public, out-of-pocket, and private. The public segment generated the highest revenue of USD 443.2 million in 2024.
 

• Patients recovering from surgery are able to access mobility aids such as wheelchairs, which public healthcare centers allocate funds towards as a means of preventative care and rehabilitation. Spending on durable medical equipment by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), including mobility aids, rose 8.4% in 2021 and an additional 6.2% in the following year.
   
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated the funding for rehabilitation services also increased from USD 3.2 billion in 2021 to USD 4.1 billion in 2023. Provisions of crutches post-operatively, as well as for managing chronic conditions like arthritis and strokes, enables faster recovery, reduces costs and creates more value in the healthcare system.
   
• In addition, public expenditure on these mobility aids is expected to rise due to the growing population’s age and the increased prevalence of mobility limiting chronic conditions such as arthritis, stroke, and degenerative brain diseases. These public expenditures are tailored to these needs by allowing for wider access to crutches as part of treatment or rehabilitation for numerous patients.
   

Based on distribution channel, the medical crutches market is classified into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online stores. The hospital pharmacies segment dominated the market in 2024 with a market share of 52.9%.
 

• Hospital pharmacies frequently purchase and stock medical crutches as part of recovery kits for post-surgical patients who need mobility assistance after an operation. Patients who undergo orthopedic, musculoskeletal, or trauma surgeries are typically provided with crutches as part of their rehabilitation.
• The provision of crutches in hospital pharmacies guarantees that patients do not incur any setbacks in the recovery process that requires the use of mobility aids during the preliminary stage of the healing process.
   
• Moreover, these pharmacies actively participate in rehabilitation and recovery programs, where crutches are routinely provided for patients recovering from injuries, surgical procedures, or prolonged illnesses. Comprehensive rehabilitation programs offered by the hospitals include the provision of crutches to help patients achieve a reasonable degree of functionality and autonomy.
   
• With the increasing focus by hospitals toward improving post-acute care and rehabilitation, the supply of crutches as indispensable rehabilitation aids will inevitably rise, contributing to the expansion of this segment.

Based on end use, the medical crutches market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, homecare settings, and other end users. The hospitals and clinics segment dominated the market in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 1.1 billion by the end of forecast period.
 

• The incidence of surgical procedures and injuries has led to a surge in the need for crutches in hospitals and clinics, particularly orthopedic surgeries that include joint replacements, fracture repairs and musculoskeletal operations. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) reported that over 1.2 million joint replacement surgeries were done in the U.S. last year; hip and knee replacements accounted for about 450,000 and 750,000 procedures respectively.
   
• Similarly, the data from the World Health Organization (WHO) also indicates that globally about 2.5 million orthopedic surgeries were conducted in 2022 with an expected increase by 15% come 2024. Consequently, medical procedures like these necessitate mobility aids such as crutches for patient recovery and rehabilitation, which translate to increased demand for hospital crutches.
   
• Moreover, health providers have started embracing patient-centered care models where the needs of patients are put first alongside their comforts. Their provision to patients who require them guarantees self-reliance, hence minimizing hazards such as tripping while promoting better healing results. The incorporation of crutches under patient care forms one key determinants behind their application by hospitals/clinics aiming at ensuring quality assistance through recovery period from injury or surgical episodes.
   

U.S. medical crutches market accounted for USD 454.2 million market revenue in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% between 2025 to 2034 period.
 

• The U.S. healthcare system has various insurers that cover the costs of medical crutches. These Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated that healthcare spending in the country was USD 4.3 trillion in 2021, and it is expected to grow to USD 5.2 trillion by 2024.
   
• Under Medicare Part B, mobility prosthetics crutches, and similar aids have 80% of their payments covered if prescribed by a healthcare professional. As of 2023, there were an estimated 65.7 million Medicare participants, which offers improved access to aid and boosts market growth.
   
• In addition, increased awareness of sports injuries and preventive care in tandem with the active lifestyle of many Americans also influences the demand for crutches. According to CDC, an estimate of 8.6 million recreational injuries were reported in 2022 with about 65% of them need some mobility assistance.
   
• Sports injuries reported by adult respondents of age 25 to 44 years increased by 12% in 2023 according to the National Safety Council, which maintains a steady demand for crutches. This increased demand is expected to help fuel growth in the regional market.
   

Germany medical crutches market in Europe is projected to grow remarkably in the coming years.
 

• Germany places a greater emphasis on the thorough pre-emptive and postoperative care of a patient, as well as rehabilitation. National healthcare policies make sure patients receive appropriate aids such as crutches during their recovery. The Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) reports that in 2023 about 19.2 million patients received inpatient treatment in German hospitals and among them 47% required post-surgical rehabilitation aids.
   
• In 2022 healthcare facilities included 1,893 hospitals and 1,157 rehabilitation facilities which issue crutches to patients following surgeries and injuries. Mobility aid prescriptions offered by the German Health insurances Medical Service (MDK) increased by 12% in the years of 2021-2023 which illustrates a greater emphasis placed on rehabilitation and physical therapy.
   
• In addition, the country has one of the most advanced public health care systems in Europe which guarantees access to vital rehabilitation services and mobility aids such as crutches. These devices are covered under social health insurance for individuals who sustain injuries or require surgical procedures due to a debilitating condition.
   

China holds a dominant position in the Asia Pacific medical crutches market.
 

• As reported by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, individuals aged 60 and above reached 280 million in 2023, accounting for 19.8% of the total population. China's aging population continues to surge. This ratio is expected to increase to 20.5% in 2024. With the increase in elderly citizens, there is a greater prevalence of elderly illnesses. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that by 2022, 45% of individuals over 60 suffered from arthritis, and 32% from osteoporosis.
   
• Moreover, due to the increase in these age-related illnesses, the demand for mobility aids is on the rise, crutches being one of the most pivotal ones for rehab and daily movement. The market for mobility aids including crutches showed an 8.2% increase in 2021 and continued growing at a steady 7.5% rate in 2023, according to the China Medical Device Industry Association. This growth is attributed directly to the increase in the elderly population.
   
• Further, the increasing degree of urbanization, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, is also contributing to a rise in obesity and orthopedic issues. Furthermore, there is greater access to healthcare facilities that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that are managed with mobilization therapy.
   

Brazil medical crutches market in Latin America is projected to grow remarkably in the coming years.
 

• Brazil is expanding rehabilitation services through new centers and professional training programs as a step towards improving healthcare infrastructure. As reported by the Ministry of Health, the government set aside approximately USD 563.5 million for healthcare infrastructure development in 2023, out of which USD 149.7 million was earmarked for rehabilitation services.
   
• In addition, the FNS (National Health Fund) also reported the opening of 45 new rehabilitation centres in the country as of 2022. The COFFITO reported that from 2021 to 2023 there was a 15% increase in movement among registered rehabilitation practitioners. These changes are improving the provision and distribution of mobility aids, such as crutches.
   
• Moreover, the presence of local manufacturers in Brazil, medical crutches are made at much lower prices than in other countries. Innovations such as easily foldable, adjustable, and shock absorbing crutches scores consumer attention particularly in urban areas. Thus, this helps to increase the price and access to these devices, leading to market growth.
   

Medical Crutches Market Share

The market is characterized by the presence of several key players, including Cardinal Health, Invacare, Millennial Medical, NOVA, and Sunrise Medical. These six companies collectively account for approximately 52% of the market share. They offer a diverse range of products, from traditional to advanced, ergonomic, and lightweight crutches. Leading manufacturers focus on product innovation, utilizing materials such as aluminum, carbon fiber, and adjustable designs to meet the growing demand for comfort and durability.
 

In addition to product features, companies compete through varied distribution channels, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and e-commerce platforms. Market players are increasingly pursuing strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and regional expansions to strengthen their market positions and expand their global reach.
 

Medical Crutches Market Companies

Prominent players operating in the medical crutches industry include:

• AMG MEDICAL
• benmor medical
• BESCO
• BREG
• Cardinal Health
• CAREX
• CHINESPORT
• Ergoactives
• INVACARE
• IWALKFree
• MILLENNIAL MEDICAL
• NOVA
• OSSENBERG
• Ottobock
• SUNRISE MEDICAL
   
• Cardinal Health stands out for its broad and reliable distribution network and comprehensive portfolio of durable medical equipment, including crutches. Its strength lies in scalable manufacturing and logistics capabilities, making it a key supplier to hospitals, pharmacies, and care facilities across the U.S. and globally.
   
• Invacare is recognized for its innovative, ergonomically-designed mobility aids, including lightweight and adjustable crutches. The company emphasizes user-centric design and rehabilitation-focused solutions, with a strong R&D base and global distribution footprint across over 100 countries.
   
• Sunrise Medical differentiates itself through high-performance mobility solutions, integrating advanced materials like carbon fiber and customizable features into their crutches. Its focus on premium-quality assistive products and investment in sustainable manufacturing has solidified its position as a leading global brand in mobility aids.
   

Medical Crutches Industry News

• In July 2024, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare (DDH) acquired the entire product portfolio of Mobility Designed, Inc., including their innovative medical crutches. This acquisition expanded company's range of advanced mobility aids and incorporated high-quality industrial design capabilities into its operations. The addition of Mobility Designed's crutch products potentially improves DDH's product innovation and market position in the medical crutches segment.
   

The medical crutches market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Forearm crutch
• Underarm crutch
• Platform crutch
• Leg support crutch
• Tetrapod crutch
• Other products

Market, By Material

• Aluminum
• Wood
• Carbon or glass fiber reinforced composite
• Thermoplastic
• Other materials

Market, By Consumer

• Adult
• Pediatric/teenager

Market, By Payer

• Public
• Out-of-pocket
• Private

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Hospital pharmacies
• Retail pharmacies
• Online stores

Market, By End Use

• Hospitals and clinics
• Homecare settings
• Other end use

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE