Assistive Devices Flashcards
types of assistive devices
- Cane
- Crutches
- Walkers (standard, 4 wheel. front wheel, hemiwalker, and platform walker)
Cane info
- least stable of all the assistive devices
- Mostly used for balance, minor weight bearing off loading for pain management.
- Cane should be used on the strong side
how much body weight can a cane unload
10 - 30 % of body weight
Cane measurement
- be sure the patient is in a safe position before adjusting the cane
- pt is standing in a relaxed posture; handle of cone should line up with the wrist crease (ulnar styloid process)
- 20 to 30 degree bend in the elbow
Crutches
- more stable then a cane
- can offload and be used for PWB and NWB pts
- different types of crutches can be used for different upper limb strength
types of crutches
standard (axillary) and forearm (lofstrand)
Axillary crutch measurement
- pt should be in the most erect posture
- the top of the crutch should be 3 fingers below the axillary fold
- Bottom end of the crutch should be shoulder width apart
- hand grip at line of the ulnar styloid process
- forearm cuff should be 2 inches distal to tip of the olecranon process when the hand is in the handgrip
- Elbow should be flexed approximately 30 degrees when the hands are on the handgrips
Pros of using a walker
- most stable, gives the most support to the pt, can offload the most weight from the affected limb
cons of using a walker
- cumbersome and some pts feel it makes them look “old”
standard walker pro
very stable, can slow the impulsive pt down, can be used with weight bearing restrictions, pain and weakness
standard walker con
bulky, heavy, inhibits normal gait pattern, cen get in the way of an impulsive pt, demand more energy than front wheeled
front wheeled walker pro
smooth, allows for more normal gait pattern, more energy efficient, can be used with weight bearing restrictions, pain, and weakness
front wheeled walker cons
a little less stable than standard, walker can “get away” from the pt
walker measurement
pt stands inside of the walker, the ulnar styloid process should be in line with the handles of the walker
4- wheeled walker (rollator)
not a stable assistive device, good for poor endurance because pt can sit down, easy to maneuver, large wheels make it easier to use outdoors, not able to use with weight bearing precautions