Gait Aids Flashcards
purpose of gait aids
Reducing the effort of walking
Providing a sense of security and confidence
Reducing the physical strain and fatigue associated with walking.
indications for gait aids
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
selection considerations
base line function
weight bearing status
cognitive function
vision
vestibular function
physical endurance
upper body strenght
weight
living enviroment
base line function
what was their pre morbid function
did you use walking aid prior
how far do you generally walk
weight bearing status
non weight bearing
touch weight bearing- just touch without supporting weight
partial weight bearing- percentage
full weight bearing
cognitive function
can they understand what they need to do
can they follow instructions
are they going to remember to use there gait aid
vision
flooring
lighting
looking at their feet
scan their environment for obsticles
vestibular function
balance centre in the inner ear
blurred vision
dizziness
falls in the past
upper body strength
weight of lower limb and trunk into the arms
access to both hands
hand grip
push through walking handles
physical endurance
individuals fatigue very easily using a walking aid
co-exisiting medical conditions
weight
weigh limit of gait aid
home environment
floor surfaces
loose mats
doorway width
bathroom
stairs
walker- gait aid advantage
improve balance and stability
Allow some weight bearing
Allow greater endurance
walker gait aid disadvantage
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
crutches- gait aid
Crutches increase the base of support (BOS) and therefore increase stability when there is pain, reduced strength or restricted weightbearing.
walking stick- gait aid
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.
ensure safety of gait aid
brakes
stoppers
weight of the person
person- weight bearing
environment
measuring gait aid for walker
greater trochanter
wrist crest
measuring gait aid for crutches
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
teaching with gait aid
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
step to vs step through gait
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
2 point gait pattern bilateral
step through
2 point gait pattern unilateral
step through
3 point non wieght bearing
non weight bearing step to
3 point gait partial
step to and then through
