Supportive Devices/Gait Training Lab (10/11a) [Examination/Intervention] Flashcards
Basic guarding technique
Wide stance
Stand to side of patient, a bit behind
One hand at pt low back, one hand on anterior aspect of shoulder closest to you
Why use the basic guarding position?
If pt loses balance, you can use position to hug them close to your body
If pt knees buckle, you can hug them close to you and have them sit on your bent knee/assisted fall
Common assistive devices
Walker (standard, rolling, rollator, UE platform)
Hemi Walker
Quad Cane (wide base; narrow/small base)
Single Point Cane
Axillary Crutches
Forearm Crutches
Indications for use of an AD
Decreased ability to bear weight on LE
Decreased trunk and/or LE strength
Impaired balance
Impaired kinesthetic awareness
To offset LE pain
Levels of Weight Bearing
Full Weight Bearing
Weight Bearing as Tolerated
Partial Weight Bearing
Toe Touch Weight Bearing
Non-Weight Bearing
Full Weight Bearing (FWB)
no restrictions
Weight Bearing as Tolerated (WBAT)
allowed to put as much weight on extremity
as patient can tolerate
usually needs an AD due to pain and/or weakness
Partial Weight Bearing (PWB)
allowed to but some but not all weight on an
extremity
defined by a percentage (EX: 25%, 50%)
Toe Touch Weight Bearing (TTWB)
no weight through the limb
big toe on the
ground (helpful input for balance)
Non-Weight Bearing (NWB)
limb does not touch the ground or weight bearing surface
Sizing guide for AD
When pt standing upright with shoulders relaxed and hands placed on the hand grips, elbows should be bent 15-30 deg
Grips of AD should align with wrist creases when relaxed
Standard and Rolling Walkers - Benefits
Provide an increased base of support
Most are able to be folded for easier storage when note in use
Allow for UE platform attachments
– Used for UE weight bearing restrictions, poor UE strength (especially grip)
Allow for tray / basket attachments
Can be used for all levels of unilateral LE weight bearing restrictions
Standard Walker
Offers stability during forward body advancement for pt with a single LE NWBing status
Pt must be able to pick up the walker to advance it, having all 4 legs leave the ground at the same time and contact the ground at the same time
Rolling Walker
Pushed like a shopping cart, maintains contact with the ground at
all times
Can be used for pt with a single lower extremity WBing restriction
Pt must be able to control the forward movement of the walker to decrease risk of falls
Can be difficult for some pt to advance over changes in surfaces
Can add walker skiis for improved fluidity of transition from surface to
surface
Wheels can be fixed, or swivel
Rollator Walker
Not used with WB restrictions
Can help for pt with mild balance deficits
Very helpful for pt with endurance deficits (provides immediate seat)
Has breaks to help slow it down (pull up) and lock into place (push down)
Must be cognitively intact to safely lock/unlock the breaks during transfers
and safely control the walker
Front wheels swivel to increase ease of maneuverability
Walker - Limitations
Rather bulky and difficult to use in crowded or narrow spaces
Can lose their stability/effectiveness on uneven surfaces
Eliminate the capability for arm swing
Unless front wheels are swivel wheels, can be difficult to maneuver/change in direction during ambulation
Not functional for stair negotiation
If used improperly, can promote forward flexed posture, or posterior loss of balance
Rolling Walker Gait - Step To Pattern
walker → impaired → good matches
Good starting place for gait training, especially with WB restrictions
STEPS
1) Move walker ahead
2) Lead with impaired LE
3) Match up with non impaired LE
Rolling Walker Gait - Step Through Pattern
walker → impaired → good passes
more normalized pattern, improved fluidity
STEPS
1) move walker ahead
2) lead with impaired LE
3) step with non impaired LE, passing the placement of impaired LE
Walker Gait - NWB
Achieve NWB by flexing the hip and knee
STEPS
1) Advance walker forward
2) Bear weight down through hands, extending elbows, and
depressing shoulders
3) Unweight body enough to advance the intact LE forward