walking aids Flashcards
what are the four types of walking aids?
- walking stick
- axillary crutches
- elbow crutches
- zimmer frames
what are the three main reasons for prescribing walking aids?
- reduces weightbearing
- assists with balance & stability
- allow mobility & function
what does walking aids allow? give an example
- allows healing
e.g., fractures
what do walking aids take off? what does it reduce?
- takes pressure off joints e.g., osteoarthritis
- reduces pain & swelling e.g., ankle sprain
what are the five most important considerations when choosing a walking aid?
- weight- bearing status
- functional requirements
- upper limb function
- ability
- understanding
what are the three types of weightbearing?
- full
- partial
- non
what is full weightbearing?
- don’t need any weight off
what is partial weightbearing?
- foot to floor but need some weight off
what is non- weightbearing?
- sturdy aid for whole body weight
describe functional requirements as a consideration
- stairs
- can’t take a zimmer frame upstairs
describe upper limb function as a consideration
- some walking aids are very strenuous
describe ability as a consideration
- requires strength, endurance and balance
describe understanding as a consideration
- axillary crutch is difficult to use
what is the indication of axillary crutches ?
- non weight- bearing
what is the advantage of axillary crutches?
+ wieght- bearing ability
what are the disadvantages of axillary crutches?
- require strength and balance
- nerve damage if used incorrectly
how do you measure axillary crutches?
- adjust height to 5cm below axillary fold/ armpit (2-3 fingers)
- adjust handle so elbow slightly flexed (15 degrees)
how do you use axillary crutches? what do you weight bear through and why?
- squeeze tops of crutches between arms and ribcage
- weight- bear through handles, not armpits (can equate to radial nerve damage)
how do you use axillary crutches to walk?
- swing to gait
- swing through gait
what is swing to gait using axillary crutches?
- crutches forwards
- affected leg clear of ground and in front of body
- sound leg swings to crutches
what is swing through gait with axillary crutches?
- same as swing to gait but unaffected leg swings past crutches
+ quicker - less stable
when are elbow crutches indicated?
- partial weight bearing
- non- weight bearing with provisions
what are the advantages of elbow crutches?
+ less cumbersome than axillary crutches
+ easier to use
what is the disadvantage of elbow crutches?
- can’t bear as much weight as axillaries
how do you measure elbow crutches?
- with patient standing tall and arms hanging by side:
- handles level with wrist crease
- cuffs just below elbows
how do you walk with PWB using elbow crutches?
- 3 point gait
- crutches
- affected leg
- sound leg
how do you use elbow crutches for NWB?
- crutches must be new
- patient must be under 20-25 stone
when are zimmer frames indicated?
- non or partial weight bearing
- patients requiring greater stability than crutches
what is the disadvantage of a zimmer frame?
- can be used on single steps but not stairs
what are the four types of walking frames?
- standard frame
- rollator frame
- gutter frame
does the standard frame have wheels?
- no wheels
how many wheels do rollator frames have? what does this increase?
- two or four wheels
- increases grip
what is the disadvantage of 4 wheeled frames?
- doesn’t allow you to rest as it would start moving
what do gutter frames have in comparison to other frames?
- arm rest
how do you measure zimmer frames?
- handles should be level with wrists
how do you walk using a zimmer frame?
- 3 point gait
- frame, affected leg, sound leg
what is important to stay safe while using zimmer frame?
- patient should stay within base of support/ frame
when is a walking stick indicated?
- impaired balance (1or 2 sticks)
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
what is the disadvantage of walking sticks?
- limited support
- still nearly FWB
how do you adjust a walking stick?
- handle level with wrist crease
what are the three types of gait using a walking stick ?
- reciprocal
- 2- point reciprocal gait
- 4- point reciprocal gait
what is reciprocal gait?
- stick moves when affected leg moves
what is 2- point reciprocal gait?
- right stick moves with left leg
- left stick moves with right leg
what is 4- point reciprocal gait?
- like 2- point gait but slower
- right stick
- left leg
- left stick
- right leg
how should you never turn when using a walking aid? why?
- never turn on the spot
- would fall on the floor
how do you turn with walking aids?
- turn in 3 stages
where should you keep crutches when turning and why?
- keep crutches in front of body
- maintains base of support
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
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
what should you ensure in stand to sit if NWB?
- ensure they can feel chair at back of legs
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
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
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
how can you stimulate realistic settings during stair practice?
- ask patient which side their banister is on at home
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
how do you get up the stairs when non weight bearing?
- good leg
- crutch
how do you get down the stairs when non weight bearing?
- crutch
- good leg
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
what should you ensure and why?
- ensure the button is popped out
- otherwise it will collapse
what should the model be in when prescribing walking aids?
- appropriate footwear
- don’t let patients wear socks
- use of slippers
what environmental factor should you check before giving walking aids out?
- check the floor
- floor should be dry
- chance of slipping on wet floors
where should you stand when patient uses walking aid?
- always stand by patient’s side
- closely supervised
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
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
