MOBILITY AIDS

Question 1

Canes: Fitting

Answer 1

Handle parallel with wrist crease/greater trochanter

• Elbow flexed to ~20-30°

Question 2

Canes: Use

Answer 2

• Cane on good side
• Placed ~6” from lateral border of foot
• Step through with good leg
• Stairs/sit-to-stand same technique as with crutches

Question 3

Frames & Walkers

Answer 3

• Frames: Hopper, Zimmer, Pick-up, K-frame

* Walkers: Wheelie walker, Ezi-walker, Tri-wheeler, Standard 4-wheeled walker (+ seat/basket)

Question 4

Frames/Walkers: Fitting

Answer 4

• As for a cane
• Handles:to level of wrist crease/greater trochanter
• Elbow flexed to~20-30°

Question 5

Frames/Walkers - Considerations:

Answer 5

• Eliminates normal arm swing
• Cannot be used on stairs
• Difficult to manoeuvre through doorways
• Interferes with development of smooth reciprocal gait pattern
– ↓Steplength,step-togait 35

Question 6

Considerations for Prescription

Answer 6

Purpose of mobility aid:
 – Non-weight bearing?
– Weight-relieving?
– Poor balance?
– CNS problems?
• Long-or short-term use?
– Progression/lessening of support?
• Location of use:indoors+/-outdoors?
Age of Patient?
Cosmesis? 
• Impact of comorbidities?
– e.g. OA in upper limbs (weight-bearing), history of falls (poor balance), COPD (physical capacity)
• Biomechanical matching
• Safety issues–fitting and usage 
• Educate patient and carer/parent