Introduction to Assistive Devices Flashcards
Any item, piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, customized that is used to improve functional capacities of an individual with disabilities
Public Law 100-407 AT
External devices that are designed, made, or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task
Assistive Device
Common Types of Assistive Devices
Mobility Devices
Positioning Devices
Orthosis, Prosthetics, and Orthopedic shoes
What are examples of mobility devices?
Tricycles
Wheelchairs
Walkers
Canes
Causes that requiring patients to use assistive devices:
Compensation
Improve functional mobility
Enhance body functions
Assist fracture healing
What do assistive devices compensate for?
Impaired balance
Decreased strength
Altered coordination
Pain during WB
Absence of extremity
Altered stability
In what phase of the gait cycle is the GMax used? What is its function in that phase?
Initial contact to foot flat
Stabilize Limb
In what phase of the gait cycle is GMed/GMin used? What is its function in that phase?
Terminal swing to pre-swing
Stabilize the pelvis in the frontal plane
In what phase of the gait cycle are the hip flexors/adductors used? What is its function in that phase?
Pre-swing to Midswing
Accelerates the limb
In what phase of the gait cycle are the quadriceps used? What is its function in that phase?
Loading Response
Absorb shock, eccentric contraction
In what phase of the gait cycle are the hamstrings used? What is its function in that phase?
Midswing to Initial contact
Decelerate the limb
In what phase of the gait cycle is the tibialis anterior used? What is its function in that phase?
Initial contact to mid-stance and pre-swing to initial contact
Absorb shock, elevate foot
In what phase of the gait cycle are the gastrocsoleus used? What is its function in that phase?
Mid-stance, terminal stance to pre-swing
Knee stability at terminal stance, push off
In what phase of the gait cycle is the erector spinae used? What is its function in that phase?
Initial contact
Stabilize trunk
What are the major muscle groups used in NWB ambulation?
Upper trunk
Lower trunk
Upper extremity
WB lower extremity
What are the muscles under the upper trunk group for NWB ambulation?
Scapular depressors, scapular stabilizers
What are the muscles under the lower trunk group for NWB ambulation?
trunk extensors and trunk flexors
What are the muscles under the upper extremity group for NWB ambulation?
shoulder depressors, shoulder extensors and flexors, elbow extensors, finger flexors
What are the muscles under the WB lower extremity group for WB ambulation?
hip abductors, hip extensors, knee flexors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, and plantar flexors
There are no restrictions of weight-bearing and 100% of the BW can be borne on the LE.
Full weight-bearing (FWB)
No weight is borne in the involved limb and foot/toes make no contact with the ground.
Non weight-bearing (NWB)
Only a portion of the weight can be borne on the affected extremity and presented as percentage of the BW.
Partial weight-bearing (PWB)
Only toes of the affected limb have contact with the ground
Toe-touch weight-bearing (TTWB)
Weight-bearing is limited by the patient’s tolerance of weight borne on an extremity?
Weight-bearing as tolerated (WBAT)
Categories of assistive devices ranked from highest to lowest in terms support magnitude.
Walkers
Bilateral crutches
Single crutch
Bilateral canes
Quad canes
Hemi cane
Single cane
Used when maximal support and stability is required
Walkers
Type of walkers include
Standard
Child
Reciprocal
Bariatric
Stair-climbing
Wheeled
Folding
One-handed
What are the advantages of using walkers?
Wide BOS (provides anterior and bilateral lateral support)
Provides high level of stability
Provides sense of security (especially to the older population)
What are the disadvantages of using walkers?
May be difficult to store and transport
Difficult to use on stairs
Difficult to perform normal gait pattern
Can be difficult to use in narrow spaces
What are the advantages of using axillary crutches?
Enhances UE lateral stability
Allows UE to transfer body weight to the floor
Allows functional ambulation while maintaining WB restrictions status
What are the disadvantages of using axillary crutches?
Less stable due to narrower BOS
Requires good standing balance
Provides less security to pts (especially to older population)
Adequate strength in the upper limbs is required
What are the advantages of using forearm crutches?
Easy to store and transport
Eliminates the danger of injury
More functional on stairs and narrower spaces.
What are the disadvantages of using forearm crutches?
Less stable than axillary crutches
Requires functional standing balance
Requires good UE strength for many gait patterns
Cuffs may irritate the pts wrists
What are the advantages of using platform attachments?
Allows transfer of weight through forearm to assistive device
What are the disadvantages of using platform attachments?
Pt loses the use of triceps to elevate and maintain the body during swing phase
Another person may be needed to apply/remove it.
Sometimes is difficult to attach
Less effective on stairs
Platform attachment are aka
Forearm rests
Platform attachments are used by pts who _____
are unable to bear weight on hands and wrists
have severe hand deformities
who have below elbow amputation
are unable to extend their elbows
What are the advantages of using canes?
Easy to store and transport
Quickly adjustable
What are the disadvantages of using canes?
Limited support due to small BOS
