Ambulation Assistive Devices Gabriela E Sousa

Ambulation Aids Designed to help increase the base of support during ambulation and standing Decreases pain Decreases weight bearing (WB) on limbs involved Compensates for patients lacking in balance, endurance, and coordination

Rolling Walker (RW) Provides maximum stability Use for all ambulation except stairs Two handles Front two legs with wheel to facilitate ambulation Flat plastic capsules or tennis balls can be placed on back legs to decrease friction on carpet Handles should be level with hips elbows should be bent 20-30 degrees Ambulation procedure: Push walker forward first NEVER lift walker off the ground Step with operated leg first, than un-operated leg Patient’s feet should land aligned with RW back legs for maximum stability

Crutches Crutches used for stairs only unless patient refuses RW Does not provide as much stability as RW but able to bear body weight Height should be set so crutches rest three inches below armpit Handles should be set so elbow is between 20-30 degrees of flexion Place crutch on side opposite railing when going up/down stairs Crutches on stairs with one railing Up: step up with operated leg first and then follow with crutch and un-operated leg, one step at a time Down: crutch comes down first, followed by un-operated leg, and then the operated leg

Canes Quad Canes Provides more stability than cane Designed to help with balance by providing wider base of support but not for weight bearing Better for patients with poor strength in upper extremities Follow same procedure as crutches for ambulation on stairs Most portable Quad Canes Provides more stability than cane Does not provide as much stability as RW Has one handle and four legs

Hemi-walker For patients limited to only one upper extremity Difficult to use on stairs Ambulation procedure similar to RW Move hemi-walker arm’s length forward Step first with operated or “bad” leg into the hemi-walker Step with un-operated or “good” leg even with the first step

Leg Lifter For patients with a functional or strength deficit in the lower extremities How to use: Place end with loop around arch of foot Keep legs extended Use upper extremities to help lift the target lower extremity Rotate trunk to help guide lower extremity to desired placement

Walker with a platform Provides stability for patients limited that have only one functioning upper extremity Platform height should be set so the limited extremity is in a 90 degree angle Platform provides a support for affected limb during ambulation while allowing patient to put pressure through elbow of affected limb to ease ambulation

Works Cited https://media.lanecc.edu/users/howardc/PTA104L/104LAmbAids/104LAmbAids_print.html