You know you've been on crutches too long when… [as compiled by myself and others on the KneeGeeks forum!] There were more than those listed below, but I chose only those applicable to me.

1) People are surprised to see you without them

2) Your arm muscles are in the best shape ever

3) You use them like chopsticks and don't have to bend over to pick something up

4) You have developed calluses right below your armpits and on your palms

5) You decorate your crutches for special occassions (ie. green and red ribbons for Christmas)

6) You have friends/co-workers/teachers sign them because you can get more messages/autographs than any cast!

7) You crutch faster than you walk

Strangers always marvel at your speed and agility on crutches

9) You dream of "pimping" out your crutches (ie. adding rhimestones and color)

10) You've learned to dance on them (or in my case, when you've gone to two Homecoming dances on them and with an immobilizer)

11) People call you gimpy b/c you are never without them (all my friends called me Gimpy, especially Phil)

12) You wish you could use the crutches b/c they help with pain, but you're OS (orthopedic surgeon) won't let you b/c your quads atrophy too much

13) Your friends get bummed when you don't have the crutches b/c they can't play "crutch and field 2004" and use the crutches to pole vault over couches, etc.

14) It's easier to push your way through a crowd b/c you can just hit people. haha. This was great in high school

15) It becomes a good luck charm on your high school track team

16) When, as a senior in high school, friends can't remember you ever off of them even though your freshman year was the only year you never used them

17) You look at them and feel at home

18) You absolutely have no problem opening doors or stopping them from closing much to the amazement of friends and family

19) You get sad when your PT or OS tells you to wean yourself down to one crutch because it slows you down