walking aids Flashcards
1
Q
what are the four types of walking aids?
A
- walking stick
- axillary crutches
- elbow crutches
- zimmer frames
2
Q
what are the three main reasons for prescribing walking aids?
A
- reduces weightbearing
- assists with balance & stability
- allow mobility & function
3
Q
what does walking aids allow? give an example
A
- allows healing
e.g., fractures
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
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
6
Q
what are the three types of weightbearing?
A
- full
- partial
- non
7
Q
what is full weightbearing?
A
- don’t need any weight off
8
Q
what is partial weightbearing?
A
- foot to floor but need some weight off
9
Q
what is non- weightbearing?
A
- sturdy aid for whole body weight
10
Q
describe functional requirements as a consideration
A
- stairs
- can’t take a zimmer frame upstairs
11
Q
describe upper limb function as a consideration
A
- some walking aids are very strenuous
12
Q
describe ability as a consideration
A
- requires strength, endurance and balance
13
Q
describe understanding as a consideration
A
- axillary crutch is difficult to use
14
Q
what is the indication of axillary crutches ?
A
- non weight- bearing
15
Q
what is the advantage of axillary crutches?
A
+ wieght- bearing ability
16
Q
what are the disadvantages of axillary crutches?
A
- require strength and balance
- nerve damage if used incorrectly
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)
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)
19
Q
how do you use axillary crutches to walk?
A
- swing to gait
- swing through gait
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
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
22
Q
when are elbow crutches indicated?
A
- partial weight bearing
- non- weight bearing with provisions
23
Q
what are the advantages of elbow crutches?
A
+ less cumbersome than axillary crutches
+ easier to use
24
Q
what is the disadvantage of elbow crutches?
A
- can’t bear as much weight as axillaries
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
