Assistive Devices, Ambulation Flashcards
Act of walking or being able to walk
Ambulation
A piece of equipment (e.g., a crutch, cane, or walker) used to provide support or stability for a person when he or she is walking
Assistive Device
Wooden or metal crutches, adjustable or nonadjustable, that fit under a person’s upper arms and into the axilla and have a handpiece to grasp
Axillary Crutches
A cane with three or four feet that forms a wider base of support than the single crutch tip; also referred to as a crab, three- or four-footed, or hemi cane
Quad Cane
Wooden or metal crutches with a full or half cuff that fits over a person’s forearms and that have a handpiece to grasp; also known as Lofstrand or Canadian crutches
Forearm Crutches
The repetitive, alternate, reciprocal forward movement of an assistive device (e.g., a crutch or cane) and a person’s opposite lower extremity
Four-point gait
Activities identified by an individual as essential to support the person’s physical and psychological well-being and to create a personal sense of well-be
Functional activities
An object or apparatus that immobilizes or prevents motion, such as a cast or brace
Immobilizer
Adjustable or nonadjustable wooden or metal bars that are horizontal and parallel to each other and attached to vertical uprights to provide a stable, nonmobile support for a person who requires an assistive device
Parallel bars
Wooden or metal crutches with an adjustable or nonadjustable platform for a person’s forearm to rest on and aid in weight bearing
Platform attachment
One lower extremity is full weight bearing, and the opposite lower extremity is PWB; the patient uses bilateral canes, crutches, or a walker to partially support body weight as he or she bears weight on the PWB lower extremity; the full weight-bearing lower extremity advances independently, and the assistive devices and PWB lower extremity advance simultaneously
Three-one–point gait (partial weight bearing [PWB])
One lower extremity is full weight bearing, and the opposite lower extremity is non–weight bearing; the patient uses bilateral crutches or a walker to support his or her weight when the weight-bearing lower extremity adva
Three-point gait (non–weight bearing [NWB])
The use of three points as supports, such as a cane or crutch tips and a person’s feet, with the tips in front of and to the side of the person’s feet to form a base of support when the person stands
Tripod position
The repetitive, simultaneous, reciprocal forward movement of an assistive device (e.g., a crutch or cane) and a person’s opposite lower extremity
Two-point gait
An assistive device that usually has four contacts that are placed on the floor and a frame to support the patient’s weight and provide stability during ambulation
Walker