As the global supply chain slows down the flow of goods, Americans continue to consume while facing huge shocks in grocery aisles, car parking lots and restaurants.

As the continuing pandemic has caused a continuous backlog in the supply chain, leading to a global shortage of aluminum, hospitals across the United States have requested the donation of crutches, canes and other orthopedic equipment that are gently used. 

A press release issued by Beaufort Memorial Hospital in South Carolina stated: “The global aluminum shortage has prevented Beaufort Memorial Hospital and other hospitals from providing patients with much-needed crutches, prompting the community to donate used adult crutches.” 

Utah hospitals require the use of lightweight aluminum crutches, canes, walkers and even wheelchairs. 

At Cooks Children’s Hospital in North Texas, health care providers distribute an average of 70 crutches a week, and donations are required due to the pressure of aluminum shortages. 

File-Crutches and dumbbells lying on the floor of the gym.

Related: Due to supply chain shortages, Cook children ask for crutches to be donated 

"All of this is due to the shortage of aluminum," said Brady Gendke, vice president of health operations at Cook Children's Home. "Although we have not encountered any shortages so far, we are receiving notifications of upcoming shortages." 

The lack of raw material aluminum is affecting companies that produce everything from canned foods and soft drinks to cars and computers. Coupled with supply chain issues, Gendeck said that hospitals across the country are working hard to get certain products on the shelves. 

At the same time, Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Analytics, said that the surge in COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia in late October led to the closure of aluminum plants and ports. In addition, energy costs are higher, and the manufacture of aluminum is energy-intensive, leading to price increases. 

Related: A shortage of aluminum cans severely hits craft breweries 

Zandi added that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all supply chains have problems, partly because of the surge in demand as the economy reopens, surpassing the ability of suppliers to keep up. During the pandemic, other industries have been struggling to find enough computer chips and wood. 

Most importantly, the busiest port complex in the country has become a permanent traffic jam. As workers try to break through the unprecedented backlog of ships waiting to be unloaded, trucks carry cargo containers day and night. 

Approximately 40% of all containers entering the United States come from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Ship congestion disrupted the global supply chain, prompting the Biden government to allow the port complex to operate 24 hours a day in an attempt to unload the cargo and ship it to consumers. 

Labor shortages and difficulties in obtaining parts and products due to supply chain issues led to a record reading of 67.3 in the backlog category. Companies also have difficulty hoarding commodities, and the inventory index has fallen for the fifth consecutive month to 42.2. 

All these problems, coupled with strong demand, have caused the prices of almost all commodities to rise. The price index increased by 5.4 percentage points from September, and was 82.9 in October. This is the highest reading since 2005, when it hit an all-time high of 83.5. 

The Associated Press and FOX 4 News contributed to this report. 

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