I am using crutches for the first time...?

I have a bad ankle sprain...not horrible but not mild so I had to use crutches for the first time ever in my life. I was taught over and over how to use them, and the doctor says that I'm using them correctly, but they HURT! I have pain under my arms, shoulders, forearms and down my side so bad that I can barely use them. Is this normal?

Yes...but there are some tricks. Do not put your weight on you're armpits. Use your arms, that will take some pressure off your shoulders. The crutch height may need to be adjusted to be lower.

Where you put your hands, wrap that part of the crutches with big socks or cloth so you won't get callouses on your hands.

Make sure you are using all the weight of your good leg.

Make friends give you massages!

yes thats wayyy normal! if u dont wanna walk sit n let ur ancle heal use cold compresses under ur arms to relive the pain. take some advil an sit.

Even if you are using them correctly, you are just not used the all the motions and muscle movement involved in using them. When I've broken my foot (a few times), I was very, very sore during the first week, and then after that, I built up the stamina and callouses to be fine and go the distance with crutches. (I walked, non-weightbearing at all on my right foot, all over a large county fair last year.)

try putting towels under your arms...

don't worry you'll get the hang of it!!! it is hard to get used to!