Gait Aids

Question 1

purpose of gait aids

Answer 1

Reducing the effort of walking
Providing a sense of security and confidence
Reducing the physical strain and fatigue associated with walking.

Question 2

indications for gait aids

Answer 2

A weight-bearing restriction

reduced balance – a walking aid will increase the Base of Support (BOS)

reduced lower limb strength or endurance – a walking aid will offset this wekness and provide additional support and stability.

Pain with weight bearing – a walking aid can help shift the weight off the painful body part,

Absence of a limb – a walking aid will provide additional support and stability for movement

Question 3

selection considerations

Answer 3

base line function
weight bearing status
cognitive function
vision
vestibular function
physical endurance
upper body strenght
weight
living enviroment

Question 4

base line function

Answer 4

what was their pre morbid function

did you use walking aid prior
how far do you generally walk

Question 5

weight bearing status

Answer 5

non weight bearing
touch weight bearing- just touch without supporting weight
partial weight bearing- percentage
full weight bearing

Question 6

cognitive function

Answer 6

can they understand what they need to do
can they follow instructions
are they going to remember to use there gait aid

Question 7

vision

Answer 7

flooring
lighting
looking at their feet
scan their environment for obsticles

Question 8

vestibular function

Answer 8

balance centre in the inner ear

blurred vision
dizziness
falls in the past

Question 9

upper body strength

Answer 9

weight of lower limb and trunk into the arms

access to both hands
hand grip
push through walking handles

Question 10

physical endurance

Answer 10

individuals fatigue very easily using a walking aid

co-exisiting medical conditions

Question 11

weight

Answer 11

weigh limit of gait aid

Question 12

home environment

Answer 12

floor surfaces

loose mats

doorway width

bathroom

stairs

Question 13

walker- gait aid advantage

Answer 13

improve balance and stability
Allow some weight bearing
Allow greater endurance

Question 14

walker gait aid disadvantage

Answer 14

Can be cumbersome

Difficult to manoeuvre through doorways and in small rooms like bathrooms

Encourage a “flexed posture”, especially if not adjusted correctly

Can encourage an abnormal gait pattern

Cannot be used on stairs

Question 15

crutches- gait aid

Answer 15

Crutches increase the base of support (BOS) and therefore increase stability when there is pain, reduced strength or restricted weightbearing.

Question 16

walking stick- gait aid

Answer 16

widen an individual’s base of support thereby making them more stable and improving balance. They can be used to assist with weight bearing if only minimal support is required. Not useful for PWB or NWB patients. They may enable walking on uneven surfaces or stairs.

They are inexpensive and convenient.

Their best indications for use include: minimally reduced balance; minimal-weight bearing required through the aid; mild weakness through a limb or pain relief.

Question 17

ensure safety of gait aid

Answer 17

brakes
stoppers
weight of the person
person- weight bearing
environment

Question 18

measuring gait aid for walker

Answer 18

greater trochanter
wrist crest

Question 19

measuring gait aid for crutches

Answer 19

height- 2 finger distance from axilar/ crutches

make sure there is around 30 degrees of elbow flexion

if it is wrist ones
cuff is bellow olecranon process
greater trochanter and the wrist crest

Question 20

teaching with gait aid

Answer 20

demonstration- how to move/ how to get up and down
gait pattern- how much weight/ how much do we want them to learn on them

provide them with feedback

practice

Question 21

step to vs step through gait

Answer 21

step through- intact leg advanced and the effected one is advanced passed the gait aid - reciprical pattern unilateral

step to- limb is advanced- intact is brought to the same position of the affected one - bilateral

Question 22

2 point gait pattern bilateral

Answer 22

step through

Question 23

2 point gait pattern unilateral

Answer 23

step through

Question 24

3 point non wieght bearing

Answer 24

non weight bearing step to

Question 25

3 point gait partial

Answer 25

step to and then through