Lecture 59 - Mobility Aids Flashcards
Benefit of gait aids
Increased participation in everyday activities
4 Limitations of gait aids
- Physical characteristics of the gait aid
- Environment
- Personal reluctance
- Stigma
T or F: Gait aids are only for older adults
F, for everyone
Purpose of gait aids
To enable independent walking
Short-term use of gait aids
Reduced weight-bearing ability on a lower extremity after an injury or surgery
* e.g., ankle fracture, total hip joint replacement
Long-term use of gait aids
To compensate for a relatively permanent
impairment
What are 5 things gait aids compensate for
- Decreased balance
- Decreased strength
- Decreased coordination
- Relieve pain during ambulation
- Decreased ability to put full
weight through a lower extremity
What 2 physical benefits do gait aids provide
- Increases the base of support
- Provides haptic cues
What are 4 gait aid recommendations for practice
What are 3 main categories of gait aids
- Canes
- Crutches
- Walkers
What are the objective and 2 considerations for prescription of canes
How to fit canes
Pros and cons of the 3 types of canes
What is the objective of crutches and 4 considerations for prescription
How to fit crutches
Pros and cons for the 2 types of crutches
What is the objective and 4 considerations for prescription of walkers
How to fit a walker
Pros and cons of the 3 types of walkers
What are the 4 advantages provided by gait aids
1) Increased stability
2) Decreased loading through lower extremity
3) Provide enhanced haptic cues
4) Improve quality of walking
How do gait aids increase stability
Increase the base of support and allow stabilizing forces to be generated through the hands
Should canes be placed on same side as affected side?
No, Cane should be placed on opposite side of affected side
Decreased loading through gait aids is helpful for people with
joint pain or weakness
Can a walker decrease more loading than a cane
Yes, fewer wheels on walker provides opportunity for greater off-loading and reduced weight-bearing for a single lower limb problem