AD Flashcards
What does full weight bearing (FWB) mean?
All weight put on limb
What does weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT) mean?
“allowed” to put full weight, but person may not be able to due to pain or weakness
What does partial weight bearing (PWB) mean?
Some of your weight is put on limb
May be in form of a percentage (ex: 50%)
What does touch down or tow touch weight bearing (TDWB/TTWB) mean?
- Little to no weight is put through leg
- Foot or toes are on ground more for balance than to bear weight
What does non weight bearing (NWB) mean?
- No weight is put through limb
- Limb is not touching the ground
What does therapist keep in mind when guarding during gait training?
- Determine if one or two to guard
- Stand behind and slightly to one side of patient (Position opposite to assistive device if unilateral)
- Note assist level
- Keep your base of support wide yet keep your feet out of the way
- Move in step with the patient
What precautions does therapist take when working on gait with patient?
- Appropriate footwear, safe walking surface, clear pathway, place to sit if necessary
- Response to activity (vitals, S&S, fatigue, SOB)
- Do NOT use clothing to guard or support (could rip)
What should therapist do if patient experiences loss of balance during gait training?
- Stop fall early
- React quickly and determinedly
- If cannot recover balance, slowly lower patient to floor
What is an independent level of assistance?
completes task without assistance or device
What is modified independence level of assistance?
Completes task without assistance but uses some sort of assistive device
What is supervision level of assistance?
No physical assistance is needed, but requires cueing (due to safety, cognition, etc.)
What is contact guard (CTG or CG) level of assistance?
No physical assist is needed, but hands are on the individual “just in case” or for manual cues
What is minimal assist (min A)?
Individual performs more than 75% effort
What is moderate assist (mod A)?
Individual performs 25%-74% effort
What is maximal assist (max A)?
Individual performs <25% effort
What is total assist or dependent?
Individual performs 0% (unconscious, spinal cord injury, etc.)
What are indications for using ADs?
Correct gait deviation Pain Limited weight bearing Balance issues Promote or assist with healing Sensory or coordination impairment Structural deformity Muscle weakness or paralysis Fear?
ADs provide what changes?
1) a larger “cone of stability” where the CoG can shift without loss of balance
2) a redistribution of support within that wider BoS
If NWB, TTWB or PWB, what type of device is required?
2 handed device
WBAT or FWB, what types of devices are possible?
All, including 1 or 2 handed devices
Selection of AD is dependent on what 8 things?
- Weight bearing status
- Strength (upper and lower)
- ROM (both U/L)
- Medical status (endurance, IV, O2)
- Balance
- Cognitive Status
- Overall mobility
- Home environment
When preparing for gait training, what should you do first?
- Review patient’s medical record to determine safety of ambulation and weight bearing status
- Evaluate patient’s strength, ROM, sensation/proprioception, balance, transfers, etc.
- Determine appropriate equipment, level of assistance & gait pattern based on your assessment
- Prepare the environment
- Use gait belt when necessary
- Guard or assist patient using appropriate points of control
- Maintain proper body mechanics for yourself & patient
- Adjust ambulation aid to ensure proper fit
What are two pre-ambulation devices?
- Parallel Bars
2. Tilt table
What are the pros of parallel bars? Cons? Indications?
pros: most supportive and easiest to learn, excellent for training
cons: can’t take it with you; limit mobility
indications: training, pre-gait activities
What are the pros of walkers? Cons? Indications?
pros: high degree of stability, easy to learn and to use, easiest to reduce weight bearing, many designs
cons: may be cumbersome, difficult to use on stairs, reduces speed of ambulation,difficult to store and transport
indications: decreased weight bearing and/or impaired balance or stability
Research has shown that some people who walk with a reverse device have improved what?
Posture and hip extension
When balance is a concern, why might a posterior walker help?
the person’s center of mass is within the base of support of the walker.
What is a gait trainer?
- mobility aid designed to properly stabilize, support, and assist a physically disabled individual by offering unweighted support and postural alignment to allow secure and safe gait practice
- Can be anterior, posterior, or both
What are the pros of axillary crutches? Cons? Indications?
pros: allow greater selection of gait patterns, increased ambulation speed, easier to use in crowded areas, fair stability, may be used on stairs
cons: fair stability, axillary compression, requires good balance and trunk and UE strength
indications: reduced weight bearing, good UE and trunk strength, good coordination
What are the pros of forearm crutches? Cons? Indications?
pros: highly adaptable, no pressure on axillary vessels or nerves, easy to store and transport,
cons: less stable than a. crutches, requires
functional balance and UE and trunk strength; there are better options if ↓ WB is required
indications: pt’s with functional balance and strength that require increased access to the environment.
What are the pros of a cane? Cons? Indications?
pros: maximum access to the environment, lots of options for increased or decreased stability, easy to use on stairs, easy to transport
cons: there are better options to limit weight bearing, provides relatively little support, small BOS
indications: pt’s that have mild weight bearing or stability deficits
List of AD ordered from those providing the most stability & support to those providing the least stability & support:
Parallel bars Standard Walker Rolling walker Axillary crutches Forearm crutches (Lofstrand) Two canes One cane
What type of standing posture do you want a patient to have when using ADs?
Upright standing posture with relaxed shoulders and elbows fully extended
What degree of elbow flexion should the patient have when using walker/cane?
Elbow flexion should be 20-30° when gripping grips - Grip at the level of the ulnar styloid process
How should parallel bars fit the patient?
- 20-25° of elbow flexion when the patient grips the bars 6 inches anterior to the hips
- Bars 2 inches wider than the patient’s greater trochanters
Describe how to fit axillary crutches to a patient:
- Patient stands with good posture
- Adjust the hand grip so that it is level with the patient’s ulnar styloid process when arm hanging down with elbow in extension, and tip of crutches at 45° ant. and lat. (4-6 inches from the small toe)
- Elbows should flex 20-30° when the patient grips the hand grips
- Therapist should be able to fit 2-3 fingers in the axilla between the axillary pad and the patient’s axilla
Describe how to fit forearm (loftstrand) crutches:
- Adjust the hand grip so that it is level with the patient’s ulnar styloid process when arm hanging down with elbow in extension, and tip of crutches at 45° ant. and lat. (4-6 inches from the small toe)
- Elbows should flex 20-30 ° when the patient grips the hand grips
- Cuff should be positioned as high on the forearm as possible as long as it does not interfere with elbow motion
- Cuff should not bind, but should stay on the arm when the patient releases the hand grip
What are some common errors when fitting AD to patient?
- Measurements are not adjusted for postural imbalances in upright positions
- Measurements do not account for footwear
- Measurements are not confirmed in standing
- Optimal resting standing position is not maintained during measurements
- Crutches/cane - positioned too far or too close (ant/posterior/lateral) to lower extremities
- Walker - feet are too far anterior/posterior of rear legs
Gait patterns are determined by the patient’s impairments, including:
Strength Balance Multi-limb coordination Weight-bearing status Endurance Unilateral versus bilateral involvement
Gait patterns are determined by the patient’s functional limitations, including:
Inability to ambulate on flat surfaces/stairs/ramps
Environmental constraints
What AD/s for 4-point gait? What is the sequencing?
- Two crutches or two canes
- Sequencing:
1. Right crutch/canes
2. Left foot
3. Left crutch/canes
4. Right foot
What are indications for using 4-point gait? Requires what WB status?
Indications: Bilateral weakness, pain, or problems with balance
REQUIREMENT: No weight bearing restrictions
What are 5 advantages of 4-point gait?
- Uses a reciprocal gait pattern
- Stability
- Safety
- Low Energy Expense
- Somewhat similar to normal gait pattern
What are 2 disadvantages of 4-point gait?
- Complex Task - requires multi-limb coordination
2. Slow
When using 1 cane or crutch, what side is the AD used on?
Opposite side of involved side (natural arm swing of opposite leg)