Assistive Devices for Mobility in Physical Access Low Tech Aids - 1 By Kumaresan G Agate Infotek, Chennai

Mobility in Physical access is the skill required for accomplishing tasks in various settings in spite of disability related physical limitations. It the way to find out that help people with Mobility Impairments to use their strengths / abilities and develop mobility.

Cane The cane or walking stick is the simplest form of walking aid. It is held in the hand and transmits loads to the floor through a shaft. The load which can be applied through a cane is transmitted through the user's hands and wrists and limited by these. Held only in the hand and have a limited load bearing capability because of this.

Cane

Crutch The crutch is a mobility aid that transfers weight from the legs to the upper body. It is often used for people who cannot use their legs to support their weight, for reasons ranging from short-term injuries to lifelong disabilities.

Types of Crutches – Fore arm The crutch with a cuff at the top to go around the forearm, also known as the Lofstrand crutch. It is most commonly used in Europe. It is used by inserting the arm into a cuff and holding the grip. The cuff, typically made of plastic or metal, can be a half-circle or a full circle with a V-type opening in the front allowing the forearm to slip out in case of a fall.

Types of Crutches – Fore arm

Types of Crutches – Under arm This is also called axilla crutch. It is used by placing the pad against the ribcage beneath the armpit and holding the grip, which is below and parallel to the pad.

Types of Crutches – Under arm

Types of Crutches – Platform Used by those with poor hand grip due to arthritis, cerebral palsy, or other conditions. The arm rests on a horizontal platform and is strapped in place. The hand rests on a grip which, if properly designed, can be angled appropriately depending on the user's disability.

Types of Crutches – Platform

Types of Crutches – Leg Support Useful for those with an injury or disability affecting one lower leg only. The affected leg is strapped into a support frame that holds the lower leg clear of the ground and transfer the load from the ground to the user's knee or thigh.

Types of Crutches – Leg Support This style of crutch has the advantage of not using the hands or arms while walking. Benefit is that upper thigh atrophy is also reduced because the affected leg remains in use. these designs are unusable for pelvic, hip or thigh injuries and in some cases for knee injuries also.

Types of Crutches – Leg Support

Use of Crutches Several different walk / bearing patterns are possible, and the user chooses which one to use depending on the reason why crutches are needed. For example, a person with a non-weight bearing injury generally performs a "swing-to" walk: lifting the affected leg, the user places both crutches in front of himself, and then swings his uninjured leg to meet the crutches.

Use of Crutches – The Right manner With underarm crutches, sometimes a towel or some kind of soft cover is needed to prevent or reduce under arm injury. A condition known as crutch paralysis, or crutch palsy can arise from pressure on nerves in the armpit. The knee scooter and the wheelchair are possible alternatives for patients who cannot use or do not like crutches.

Use of Cane and Crutches – The Right Manner

Use of Crutches – The Right manner With underarm crutches, sometimes a towel or some kind of soft cover is needed to prevent or reduce under arm injury. A condition known as crutch paralysis, or crutch palsy can arise from pressure on nerves in the armpit. The knee scooter and the wheelchair are possible alternatives for patients who cannot use or do not like crutches.

Materials used for Crutches Wood Metal alloys (most often Steel, Aluminium alloys, Titanium alloys) Carbon or glass fiber reinforced composites Thermoplastic Carbon fiber reinforced polymer

Combination of Cane and Fore arm Crutch Crutches may have bands that encircle the upper arms which the patient to hold and rest their hands to support the body weight. The Forearm crutch typically gives a user the support of the cane but with additional forearm support to assist in mobility. The forearm portion helps increase balance, lateral stability and also reduces the load on the wrist.

Combination of Cane and Fore arm Crutch

Walker A walker or walking frame is a tool for people with walking difficulties or elderly people who need additional support to maintain balance or stability while walking The British English common equivalent for a walker is Zimmer frame

Walker - Designs PEDIATRICFOLDABLE FIXED

Walker - Use The person walks with the frame surrounding their front and sides and their hands provide additional support by holding on to the top of the sides of the frame. It requires lifting the frame and moving it forward to walk with support With the use of wheels and glides, the user may push the walker ahead. It does not require the user to use their arms to lift the walker. This is beneficial for those with little arm strength

Walker - Hemi-walker Hemi-walker is about half the size of a traditional walker It is intended for use by persons whose dexterity is limited or non-existent in one hand or arm. These walkers are more stable than a Quad cane (a cane with four points that touch the ground, as opposed to one point to touch the ground) They are not recommended as highly as a traditional walker for those who can use traditional

Walker - Hemi-walker

Walker – Hybrid Walker This was designed to bridge the gap between an assistive cane and a walker. The hybrid has two legs which provide lateral (side-to-side) support which a cane does not It can be used with two hands in front of the user, similar to a walker, and provides an increased level of support compared with a cane

Walker – Hybrid Walker It can be adjusted for use with either one or two hands, at the front and at the side, as well as a stair climbing assistant The hybrid is not designed to replace a walker which normally has four legs and provides 4-way support using both hands

Walker – Hybrid Walker

Walker – Disabled Dog Walker This type of Walkers provide support and stability to the dogs, while allowing them to rely partly on their hind legs and continue using them. It is suitable for dogs with mobility problems with hind legs (or unstable). It also helps them to exercise their back legs and can help maintaining any partial mobility they may have left or, in some cases, help to improve it.

Walker – Disabled Dog Walker

Rollator The Rollator consists of a frame with three or four large wheels, handlebars and a built-in seat, which allows the user to stop and rest when needed. Rollators are typically more sophisticated than conventional walkers with wheels. They are adjustable in height and are light-weight, yet sturdier than conventional walkers.

Rollator - Designs

Rollator The handlebars are equipped with hand brakes that can be lifted or pushed downward to instantly stop the Rollator. The brakes can also be used in maneuvering the Rollator; by braking one side while turning the Rollator towards that side a much tighter turning radius can be achieved Rollators are also often equipped with a shopping basket. A later variant of Rollator has also the seat that serves as lid for the shopping basket.

Rollator

Gait or Walking Training In adult and child rehabilitation, gait training is traditionally performed initially within parallel bars as the most stable assistive device. As walking improves, a patient can progress to a walker, crutches, bilateral canes or a single cane. This gait training typically occurs during physical therapy sessions.

Gait or Walking Training Recently, body-weight support gait training, such as over a treadmill, is used more for walking practice with less strain to the therapist, when compared to traditional gait training This effective therapy increases potential for motor skill gains Over ground voluntary Walk training enable the patient to learn how to generate and control these motor forces in a way that is not available on a treadmill.

Knee Scooter Knee Scooter or a walker has an adjustable cushion and handlebars, with dual handbrakes It can be a two, three or four-wheeled alternative to crutches or a traditional walker as an ambulation aid. It is known by many other names, such as a knee walker, knee cruiser, knee caddy, orthopaedic scooter, or leg walker There are small-wheeled devices suitable for indoor use to larger sturdier units capable of use outside on grass or paved surfaces.

Knee Scooter Knee Scooter or a walker has an adjustable cushion and handlebars, with dual handbrakes It can be a two, three or four-wheeled alternative to crutches or a traditional walker as an ambulation aid. It is known by many other names, such as a knee walker, knee cruiser, knee caddy, orthopaedic scooter, or leg walker There are small-wheeled devices suitable for indoor use to larger sturdier units capable of use outside on grass or paved surfaces.

Knee Scooter lt is ight weight, foldable design that, with the knee flexed, supports the shin of the unusable limb. The opposite foot makes contact with the floor or ground, providing propulsion

Seated Walking Scooter The two-wheeled scooter has a bicycle-type seat and handlebars, and is manually propelled with one or both feet This walking aid scooter provides more support than a cane and is lighter, less bulky and easier to propel than a wheelchair The new models have baskets to carry things, and wheels adapted to move different surfaces

Seated Walking Scooter

By Kumaresan G Agate Infotek, Chennai Assistive Devices for Mobility in Physical Access Low Tech Aids - 1