štaka

1. crutch
   Posle operacije mesec dana je hodao na štakama. — After the surgery he walked on crutches for a month.
   Možeš li da mi dodaš štake? — Can you pass me my crutches?
2. (figurative) crutch; prop
   Subvencije su samo štaka za propalu fabriku. — Subsidies are just a crutch for a failing factory.

Usually used in the plural: hodati na štakama "to walk on crutches".