Indications that a client needs a gait aid?
Full Weight Bearing (FWB):
Weight Bearing as Tolerated (WBAT):
- Injury is healing, tolerated by amount of pain
Partial Weight Bearing (PWB):
- A percentage of body weight will be prescribed
Non-Weight Bearing (NWB):
- Affected limb must not be on floor at all!!
Which Ambulation aid?
CRUTCHES:
- NWB - WBAT
- Requires coordination & upper body strength
STANDARD WALKER:
- NWB – WBAT
- Good for poor balance or lower extremity weakness
2-WHEELED WALKER:
- PWB - FWB
- Must have fair balance & strength
4-WHEELED WALKER & ROLLATOR:
- For balance, weakness, fatigue
SINGLE POINT CANE:
- Only for WBAT!!
- Can only put a small amount of body weight on cane
QUAD CANE:
- also only for WBAT!!
- Same as single but better for balance
What vital signs are important to check during gait?
- Pulse (oximeter)
- Heart rate (radial or carotid)
- Respiration rate
- Blood pressure
What standardized tests do we use to observe gait?
- Timed get up & go test
- Berg balance scale
- 2 and 6 minute walk test
- Functional independence measure
What are the 3 Components of Functional Ambulation (circle diagram)?
- Physical Requirements
- Cognitive-perceptual Requirements
- Environmental Requirments
‘Physical Requirements’ part of Functional Ambulation?
- Balance
- Coordination
- Endurance
- ROM
- Vision
‘Cognitive-perceptual Requirements’ of Functional Ambulation (circle diagram)?
- Attention to left & right visual fields
- 3-D vision
- Planning capability
- Safety awareness
- Appropriate & safe use of aids
‘Environmental Requirements’ of Functional Ambulation (circle diagram)?
- Good fitting footwear
- Good flooring & lighting
- Static vs dynamic (indoor/outdoor) environment
- No distractions or clutter
What interventions can be used to help gait abnormalities?
- Strength training
- Balance training
- Motor relearning
- Neurodevelopment treatment
