crutches, canes, and walkers Flashcards
How far should the crutch be under the axilla?
2 to 3 finger breaths
Where should the hand grips be even?
the hip line
How bent should a patient’s elbow be?
30 degrees
What gait should someone be initially in before walking with crutches?
tripod gait
What is a 2 point gait?
when the opposite crutch and opposite foot move together
What is a 4 point gait?
when they move right crutch, then left foot, left crutch, then right foot
What is a 3 point gait?
like what you would normally see.
- two crutches moves forward with affected leg
- unaffected leg moves forward
What is swing to gait?
- both crutches move forward
- both legs move forward
What is the swing through gait?
- both crutches move forward
- both legs move forward BUT the legs go in front of the crutches
How does someone go up the stairs with crutches?
go up with the good foot and then follows by the bad foot
How does someone go down the stairs with crutches?
go down with the crutches, followed by the bad leg, then the good leg
How does someone sit down with crutches?
- Move both crutches to the side of the affected leg
- Slightly blend the non injured foot
- Hold onto the cushion of the chair
- sit
How does someone sit up with crutches?
- Keep crutches on affected side
- Bend non injured foot
- Push up on the cushion and non injured foot
What should the top of a cane be even with?
the great trochanter
How else should the top of the cane be placed?
even with the wrist crease
What degree should the elbow be with a cane?
15-30 degree angle
How should you stand when helping a cane pt. ambulate?
on the weak side
How far should the cane be placed from the foot?
4 inches
Should the cane be on the strong side or weak side?
strong side
How should a pt. ambulate with a cane?
cane moves with the weak side, and strong side follows
How does a pt. go up the stairs with a cane?
- Hold cane good strong side
- Move good leg up onto the step
- Put weight on cane
- Move cane and bad leg up onto the step
How does a pt. go down the stairs with a cane?
- Hold cane on good strong side
- Move cane down on step with bad leg
- Move good leg down onto step
How does someone with a cane sit down?
- Place can on side of cushion
- Place both hands on arm rests
- Push weak leg out
- sit down using the strong leg
How does someone sit up with a cane?
- Put cane on strong side
- Lean forward
- Put weak leg slightly extended forward
- Push up with cane and hand
What elbow degree should the pt. have with a walker?
15-30 degree
Where should hand alignment be with a walker?
elbow crease
Where should you stand with a pt. who is using a walker?
weak side
Where should pt.’s look with a walker?
straight ahead not at feet
Where should the back tips of the walker be according to foot?
middle of foot
How does a pt. move with a walker?
- Move walker forward and lift
- Move weak side
- strong side
How does a pt. sit down with a walker?
- Slightly extend weak leg
- Place hands behind them
- bend unaffected leg and sit down
How does a pt. sit up with a walker?
- Move forward
2. Use strong side, two hands to lift up to standing
