10-11a Supportive Devices/Gait Training Lab

Question 1

What devices, possible LE Weight Bearing Status, and description coincide with a Two-Point Gait Pattern?

Answer 1

Bilateral assistive devices: canes, crutches
WBAT
One ambulatory device and the opposite LE move forward simultaneously. Each step is one point and a complete cycle is two points.

Question 2

What devices, possible LE Weight Bearing Status, and description coincide with a Four-Point Gait Pattern?

Answer 2

Bilateral assistive devices: canes, crutches
WBAT
One ambulatory device is moved forward and placed on the floor, followed by the opposite LE. The other ambulatory device is moved forward and placed on the floor, followed by the opposite LE.
Left cane, right foot, right cane, left foot left cane…

Question 3

What devices, possible LE Weight Bearing Status, and description coincide with a Three-Point Gait Pattern?

Answer 3

Bilateral crutches or a walker
NWB
Crutches or walker advances, patient hops forward on uninvolved LE keeping involved LE non-weight bearing

Question 4

What devices, possible LE Weight Bearing Status, and description coincide with a Modified Three-Point Gait Pattern?

Answer 4

Bilateral crutches or a walker
TTWB, PWB, WBAT
Crutches or walker advances, patient steps forward with involved LE placing it down with as much weight as allowed, then steps with uninvolved LE

Question 5

What devices, possible LE Weight Bearing Status, and description coincide with a Step To Gait Pattern?

Answer 5

Bilateral crutches or walker
WBAT
Crutches or walker advances, impaired LE advances, match with non-impaired LE

Question 6

What devices, possible LE Weight Bearing Status, and description coincide with a Step Through Gait Pattern?

Answer 6

Rolling walker
WBAT
advance walker simultaneously lead with impaired LE and then step with non-impaired LE, passing placement of impaired LE

Question 7

Indication for use of an AD

Answer 7

Decreased ability to bear weight on Lower Extremities
Decreased trunk and/or Lower Extremity strength
Impaired balance
Impaired Kinesthetic awareness
To off-set LE pain

Question 8

What to do if patient loses balance:

Answer 8

use your positioning to hug the patient close to your body. Can steady them until able to regain balance or someone can come to assist you.

Question 9

What to do if a patient’s knee(s) buckle

Answer 9

hug the patient close to your body, while having them sit on your bent knee until someone can come to assist you

Question 10

FWB

Answer 10

no restrictions

Question 11

WBAT

Answer 11

allowed to put as much weight on extremity as patient can tolerate; usually needs an AD due to pain and/or weakness

Question 12

PWB

Answer 12

allowed to but some but not all weight on an extremity; defined by a percentage (i.e. 25%, 50%)

Question 13

TTWB

Answer 13

no weight through the limb; big toe on the

ground (helpful input for balance)

Question 14

NWB

Answer 14

limb does not touch the ground or weight bearing surface

Question 15

Sizing AD

Answer 15

slightly bent at 15 to 30 degrees at the elbows for AD

grip at wrist crease

Question 16

walker limitations?

Answer 16

Rather bulky. Can be difficult to use in crowded or narrow spaces

Can lose their stability / effectiveness on uneven surfaces

Eliminate the capability for arm swing

Unless front wheels are swivel wheels, can be difficult to maneuver / change in direction during ambulation.

Not functional for stair negotiation

If used improperly, can promote forward flexed posture, or posterior loss of balance