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
Gait phase where a lower extremity is in contact with the floor or other surface
Stance phase
Gait phase where a lower extremity is not in contact with the floor
Swing phase
Primary upper extremity involved in supporting the body’s weight
Scapular stabilizers
Shoulder depressors, flexors, extensors
Elbow flexors, extensors
Finger Flexors
Primary lower extremity involved in supporting the body’s weight
Hip extensors, abductors
Knee flexors (Hip extensors in stance phase) , extensors
Plantar Flexors
Parallel bar angle of elbow flexion and width of the bars
20-30 degrees; 2-4 inches between the patient’s hips
The metal bar on a door that disengages the door latch when it is pushed
Crash bar
The ability to move from one place to another
Locomotion
The act of propelling; movement of a wheelchair by the person in the chair or by another person
Propulsion
