Walking aids

Question 1

What safety checks would you do for walking frames, why would you use the frames and what cautions should you be aware about before using frames?

Answer 1

Safety checks = ferrules and soundness of frame
Use of frame = increase base of support and improve balance, allow non-weight bearing and can reduce weight bearing on one leg
Cautions = cognitive impairment

Question 2

How do you measure a frame and describe gait with a zimmer frame and a wheeled frame

Answer 2

Measure = stand with hands hanging, frame should be level with ulna styloid (bone of wrist)
Zimmer frame gait = frame, bad foot, good foot
Wheeled frame = frame, bad foot, good foot passes bad foot as frame continues to travel

Question 3

How would you walk the stairs with a frame and what variations of frame are there?

Answer 3

Stairs = Don't attempt stairs with a frame
Variations = Gutter frame, Pulpit frame, four wheeled walker, three wheeled walker

Question 4

What safety checks would you do for crutches, why would you use crutches and what cautions should you be aware about before using them?

Answer 4

Safety checks = ferrules and soundness of crutches
Use of crutches = increase base of support to improve balance, reduce weight bearing on one leg and allow non-weight bearing
Cautions = cognitive impairment

Question 5

How do you measure crutches and describe gait with 2 crutches

Answer 5

Measure = stand with hands hanging, handle of crutch should be level with ulna styloid
Gait;
4 point = left crutch, right foot, right crutch, left foot
3 point = 2 crutches, bad foot, good foot
2 point = 2 crutches, hop with good foot (non-weight bearing)

Question 6

How would you ascend and descend the stairs with crutches if you were partial-weight bearing and non-weight bearing

Answer 6

Ascending;
One hand on rail and other holding the crutch. good foot first, then bad foot to same step, followed by the stick. (partial weight-bearing)
Keep crutch down, push through crutch and rail and hop onto next step (non-weight bearing)

Descending;
Hold rail and sticks as above. Crutch down first, then bad foot and good foot onto same step (partial weight-bearing)
Lower crutch first, lean on crutch and rail and hop down (non-weight bearing)

Question 7

What variations of crutches are available?

Answer 7

Gutter crutches - spreads weight through forearms

Comfy crutches - padded handles

Question 8

What safety checks would you do for sticks, why would you use sticks and what cautions should you be aware about before using them?

Answer 8

Safety checks = ferrules and soundness of stick
Use of stick = increase base of support and improve balance, slightly reduce weight bearing on one leg
Cautions = cognitive impairment

Question 9

How would you measure a stick to your patient and what variations of a stick is available?

Answer 9

Measure = stand with hands hanging, stick should be level with ulna styloid
Variations = fischer stick - provide comfort to your palm
tripod stick, quad stick - both provide a wider BoS to improve stability

Question 10

Describe gait with one stick and gait with two sticks

Answer 10

One stick;
Hold stick on your “good side”. Take a step with bad foot and move stick at the same time
Two sticks;
Four point = left stick, bad foot, right stick, good foot
Three point = two sticks, bad foot, good foot

Always lead with your bad foot

Question 11

Describe how you would ascend and descend the stairs with sticks

Answer 11

Ascending;
Hold sticks in one hand, hold rail with the other hand
Good foot up first, then bad foot to same step followed by stick
Descending;
Hold rail and sticks as above
Stick comes down first, then bad foot followed by good foot onto the same step

• good leg to heaven, bad leg to hell*