walking aids Flashcards

1
Q

what are the four types of walking aids?

A
  • walking stick
  • axillary crutches
  • elbow crutches
  • zimmer frames
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2
Q

what are the three main reasons for prescribing walking aids?

A
  • reduces weightbearing
  • assists with balance & stability
  • allow mobility & function
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3
Q

what does walking aids allow? give an example

A
  • allows healing
    e.g., fractures
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4
Q

what do walking aids take off? what does it reduce?

A
  • takes pressure off joints e.g., osteoarthritis
  • reduces pain & swelling e.g., ankle sprain
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5
Q

what are the five most important considerations when choosing a walking aid?

A
  • weight- bearing status
  • functional requirements
  • upper limb function
  • ability
  • understanding
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6
Q

what are the three types of weightbearing?

A
  • full
  • partial
  • non
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7
Q

what is full weightbearing?

A
  • don’t need any weight off
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8
Q

what is partial weightbearing?

A
  • foot to floor but need some weight off
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9
Q

what is non- weightbearing?

A
  • sturdy aid for whole body weight
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10
Q

describe functional requirements as a consideration

A
  • stairs
  • can’t take a zimmer frame upstairs
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11
Q

describe upper limb function as a consideration

A
  • some walking aids are very strenuous
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12
Q

describe ability as a consideration

A
  • requires strength, endurance and balance
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13
Q

describe understanding as a consideration

A
  • axillary crutch is difficult to use
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14
Q

what is the indication of axillary crutches ?

A
  • non weight- bearing
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15
Q

what is the advantage of axillary crutches?

A

+ wieght- bearing ability

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16
Q

what are the disadvantages of axillary crutches?

A
  • require strength and balance
  • nerve damage if used incorrectly
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17
Q

how do you measure axillary crutches?

A
  • adjust height to 5cm below axillary fold/ armpit (2-3 fingers)
  • adjust handle so elbow slightly flexed (15 degrees)
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18
Q

how do you use axillary crutches? what do you weight bear through and why?

A
  • squeeze tops of crutches between arms and ribcage
  • weight- bear through handles, not armpits (can equate to radial nerve damage)
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19
Q

how do you use axillary crutches to walk?

A
  • swing to gait
  • swing through gait
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20
Q

what is swing to gait using axillary crutches?

A
  • crutches forwards
  • affected leg clear of ground and in front of body
  • sound leg swings to crutches
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21
Q

what is swing through gait with axillary crutches?

A
  • same as swing to gait but unaffected leg swings past crutches
    + quicker
  • less stable
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22
Q

when are elbow crutches indicated?

A
  • partial weight bearing
  • non- weight bearing with provisions
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23
Q

what are the advantages of elbow crutches?

A

+ less cumbersome than axillary crutches
+ easier to use

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24
Q

what is the disadvantage of elbow crutches?

A
  • can’t bear as much weight as axillaries
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25
how do you measure elbow crutches?
- with patient standing tall and arms hanging by side: - handles level with wrist crease - cuffs just below elbows
26
how do you walk with PWB using elbow crutches?
- 3 point gait - crutches - affected leg - sound leg
27
how do you use elbow crutches for NWB?
- crutches must be new - patient must be under 20-25 stone
28
when are zimmer frames indicated?
- non or partial weight bearing - patients requiring greater stability than crutches
29
what is the disadvantage of a zimmer frame?
- can be used on single steps but not stairs
30
what are the four types of walking frames?
- standard frame - rollator frame - gutter frame
31
does the standard frame have wheels?
- no wheels
32
how many wheels do rollator frames have? what does this increase?
- two or four wheels - increases grip
33
what is the disadvantage of 4 wheeled frames?
- doesn't allow you to rest as it would start moving
34
what do gutter frames have in comparison to other frames?
- arm rest
35
how do you measure zimmer frames?
- handles should be level with wrists
36
how do you walk using a zimmer frame?
- 3 point gait - frame, affected leg, sound leg
37
what is important to stay safe while using zimmer frame?
- patient should stay within base of support/ frame
38
when is a walking stick indicated?
- impaired balance (1or 2 sticks)
39
what does a walking stick allow? which hand do you hold it?
- allows you to take some weight off of affected leg - hold in opposite hand so you lean away
40
what is the disadvantage of walking sticks?
- limited support - still nearly FWB
41
how do you adjust a walking stick?
- handle level with wrist crease
42
what are the three types of gait using a walking stick ?
- reciprocal - 2- point reciprocal gait - 4- point reciprocal gait
43
what is reciprocal gait?
- stick moves when affected leg moves
44
what is 2- point reciprocal gait?
- right stick moves with left leg - left stick moves with right leg
45
what is 4- point reciprocal gait?
- like 2- point gait but slower - right stick - left leg - left stick - right leg
46
how should you never turn when using a walking aid? why?
- never turn on the spot - would fall on the floor
47
how do you turn with walking aids?
- turn in 3 stages
48
where should you keep crutches when turning and why?
- keep crutches in front of body - maintains base of support
49
how do you stand from sitting using crutches?
- crutches held on affected side in H shape - affected leg extended out - push up using sound leg and hand on chair arm
50
how do you sit from standing using crutches?
- crutches held on affected side (arms out) - affected leg in front of body - use sound leg and hand on chair - affected leg glides forwards, no weight
51
what should you ensure in stand to sit if NWB?
- ensure they can feel chair at back of legs
52
how do you stand using a zimmer frame safely?
- patients shouldn't hold onto frames during transfers - one hand on seat of chair - one hand on arm of chair - to make it easier, shuffle forwards towards the edge and lean body forwards
53
how do you get to the chair using a zimmer frame?
- 3 point turn - don't sit down until chair is felt at back of legs and you can see the chair
54
describe ascending stairs for partially weight bearing patients
- put both crutches into one hand (T shape) - hold onto rail - sound leg up - then affected leg - then crutch
55
how can you stimulate realistic settings during stair practice?
- ask patient which side their banister is on at home
56
describe descending stairs of partially weight bearing patients
- put both crutches into one hand (T shape) - hold onto rail - crutch down first - then affected leg - then sound leg
57
how do you get up the stairs when non weight bearing?
- good leg - crutch
58
how do you get down the stairs when non weight bearing?
- crutch - good leg
59
what are the two important things to check on walking aids before prescribing them?
- check ferrule and condition of aid (no holes) - check weight limit of device
60
what should you ensure and why?
- ensure the button is popped out - otherwise it will collapse
61
what should the model be in when prescribing walking aids?
- appropriate footwear - don't let patients wear socks - use of slippers
62
what environmental factor should you check before giving walking aids out?
- check the floor - floor should be dry - chance of slipping on wet floors
63
where should you stand when patient uses walking aid?
- always stand by patient's side - closely supervised
64
what must you correct?
- correct model if they are using the aid incorrectly e.g., frame too far away from patient, stick in wrong hand
65
how many people should be used for stairs?
- 2 people should be used & when appropriate 2 people should be used e.g., 1st time walking