crutches, canes, and walkers

Question 1

How far should the crutch be under the axilla?

Answer 1

2 to 3 finger breaths

Question 2

Where should the hand grips be even?

Answer 2

the hip line

Question 3

How bent should a patient’s elbow be?

Answer 3

30 degrees

Question 4

What gait should someone be initially in before walking with crutches?

Answer 4

tripod gait

Question 5

What is a 2 point gait?

Answer 5

when the opposite crutch and opposite foot move together

Question 6

What is a 4 point gait?

Answer 6

when they move right crutch, then left foot, left crutch, then right foot

Question 7

What is a 3 point gait?

Answer 7

like what you would normally see.

• two crutches moves forward with affected leg
• unaffected leg moves forward

Question 8

What is swing to gait?

Answer 8

• both crutches move forward

- both legs move forward

Question 9

What is the swing through gait?

Answer 9

• both crutches move forward

- both legs move forward BUT the legs go in front of the crutches

Question 10

How does someone go up the stairs with crutches?

Answer 10

go up with the good foot and then follows by the bad foot

Question 11

How does someone go down the stairs with crutches?

Answer 11

go down with the crutches, followed by the bad leg, then the good leg

Question 12

How does someone sit down with crutches?

Answer 12

1. Move both crutches to the side of the affected leg
2. Slightly blend the non injured foot
3. Hold onto the cushion of the chair
4. sit

Question 13

How does someone sit up with crutches?

Answer 13

1. Keep crutches on affected side
2. Bend non injured foot
3. Push up on the cushion and non injured foot

Question 14

What should the top of a cane be even with?

Answer 14

the great trochanter

Question 15

How else should the top of the cane be placed?

Answer 15

even with the wrist crease

Question 16

What degree should the elbow be with a cane?

Answer 16

15-30 degree angle

Question 17

How should you stand when helping a cane pt. ambulate?

Answer 17

on the weak side

Question 18

How far should the cane be placed from the foot?

Answer 18

4 inches

Question 19

Should the cane be on the strong side or weak side?

Answer 19

strong side

Question 20

How should a pt. ambulate with a cane?

Answer 20

cane moves with the weak side, and strong side follows

Question 21

How does a pt. go up the stairs with a cane?

Answer 21

1. Hold cane good strong side
2. Move good leg up onto the step
3. Put weight on cane
4. Move cane and bad leg up onto the step

Question 22

How does a pt. go down the stairs with a cane?

Answer 22

1. Hold cane on good strong side
2. Move cane down on step with bad leg
3. Move good leg down onto step

Question 23

How does someone with a cane sit down?

Answer 23

1. Place can on side of cushion
2. Place both hands on arm rests
3. Push weak leg out
4. sit down using the strong leg

Question 24

How does someone sit up with a cane?

Answer 24

1. Put cane on strong side
2. Lean forward
3. Put weak leg slightly extended forward
4. Push up with cane and hand

Question 25

What elbow degree should the pt. have with a walker?

Answer 25

15-30 degree

Question 26

Where should hand alignment be with a walker?

Answer 26

elbow crease

Question 27

Where should you stand with a pt. who is using a walker?

Answer 27

weak side

Question 28

Where should pt.’s look with a walker?

Answer 28

straight ahead not at feet

Question 29

Where should the back tips of the walker be according to foot?

Answer 29

middle of foot

Question 30

How does a pt. move with a walker?

Answer 30

1. Move walker forward and lift
2. Move weak side
3. strong side

Question 31

How does a pt. sit down with a walker?

Answer 31

1. Slightly extend weak leg
2. Place hands behind them
3. bend unaffected leg and sit down

Question 32

How does a pt. sit up with a walker?

Answer 32

1. Move forward

2. Use strong side, two hands to lift up to standing