Fiona Jarvis August 11, 2012 10 Comments

Update Sept 2015: Ossenberg are now distributed through Mobility Choices in the UK or direct from their website. See this link .

I have extolled the virtues of Kowsky crutches in previous posts as they are quiet and look good (as long as you don’t make them over colourful!). Now there is an alternative and they’re easier to contact in the UK than Kowsky – they are Ossenberg. They look very similar and I like the addition of reflectors on the cuffs.

They are also a member of the BHTA – British Healthcare Trades Association. This gives you some confidence in their  quality.

They have offered me a trial of the crutches so if you read my Blog and would like to trial these please send me your email via ‘contact us‘.

 

 

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  1. rachel thomas

    Hi
    I am hoping you can offer me some advice on comfy crutches. I am a 34 yr old mum of 3 that became disabled after illness last year, which has left me completely reliant on either crutches or a wheelchair, the only issue is when I use my nhs crutches (with the left and right shaped handle) they are making my elbows increasingly sore. My Ot cant offer me any advice and I am now stuck on where to turn. I did try half cuff crutches but found them completely unusable,
    Any help would be very grateful

    1. Fiona Jarvis Listing Owner

      Hi Rachel

      Have you tried contacting The German Crutch Company they are very helpful, I can forward the contact details if you like. I always used a fixed cuff for stability and didn’t get any problems.

  2. Willow the Wisp

    Hi,
    I am totally biased, I love my Kowsky crutches. Over the years I have tried different ones and these are my favourite by far. So much so I admit that I’ve set up a site so I can distribute them over here for Kowsky (www.mySuperSoul.com)

    I’ve been using the open-cuff ones. With reflectors and non-slip ferrules I’ve survived the English weather well! I haven’t had any blisters – and that’s using the normal grip- I know there is a soft grip. But I also anticipated blisters (from past experience) and so I bought cyclist gloves in advance! Is that cheating?!

    I love the fact my are ridiculously coloured. But they are so elegant. So much so that I have been stopped on average 3-5 times a week and asked when they come from. It was this got me thinking that I should see if I can bring them to the UK.

    Personally I don’t like the look of the Ossenburgs so hence the Kowskys.

    Anyway… I wanted to share the happiness that I’ve received by being on these sticks. To receive compliments about an injury is impressive I thought! And its helped healing – it is a long and painful process that I am going through and so every smile counts. I’m grateful for this.

    All the best…

  3. Richard Griffiths

    Hi guys I’m a 30yr man with spina biffida, I have been using crutches now for past few year due to ill health. Unfortunately the crutches I use are the standard cooper cut to length grey style with left & right handles. I am looking to change to some crutches that are a bit more light weight and a more trendy, but I haven’t got a clue where to start to look I luckily found this site after looking for age. Please if any body could point me in right direction I would be so happy ?
    Thank you
    Richard ( North Wales. U.K )

    1. Fiona Jarvis Listing Owner

      Hi Richard

      The best we’ve seen so far are the Ossenberg crutches from Mobility Choices or kowsky from Chicaid crutches. Let us know how you get on??

  4. Tashi

    I was exclusively a Kowsky customer for years (full cuff). Loved the sleek design but got tired of the cuffs falling off after a while whenever they would drop to the floor. Chasing the cuff along the floor and worse, when they would eventually come off even whilst walking! Tried Ossenberg and I’m never going back to Kowsky. The Ossenberg cuffs STAY ON forever, and the handgrip is a bit shorter and more suited to my hand (average size for a woman). I think the Kowsky grip was designed with a big man in mind. It was slippy for me in the rain, but the Ossenberg fits me perfectly. Love the somewhat steampunk appearance of the ball-like hinge too. Colours are fantastic. I just ordered a new pair in orange for my imminent move to the Netherlands. 🙂

    1. Fiona Jarvis Listing Owner

      Thank you for a very useful comment

  5. James Skinner

    Hi Fiona

    I was wondering whether you would be able to advise me of where i could secure some Kowsky ferrules for my soft / open cuff crutches. I have to use crutches permanently after an operation went wrong several years ago and i had found the Kowsky ones are by far my favourite. I have a paid in yellow, black, lavender and blue – not to forget some that Willow the Wisp made for me ( above post -Mysupersoul) in green and red for Christmas.

    I always struggle trying to find reliable stockist and am currently trying to procure blue ferrules to replace ones which i have worn out.

    Any help you can provide would be so much appreciated.

    Kind regards , James

    1. Fiona Jarvis Listing Owner

      Hi James, the ferrules are a problem as I can’t find their UK stockist. I loved their crutches but their service is bad. A good place to ask is our friends at designed2enable . You can contact them here info@designed2enable.co.uk or 0800 772 3771. If they can’t help please come back and I’ll contact Kowsky again. there are also some great crutches by Indesmed that are lighter than Kowsky and also made from carbon fibre. You can buy them from our shop at http://www.additioncollection.com (see top right of our page).