II. Background
- Walkers provide broadest base of support of the Ambulatory Devices (compared with Crutches, canes)
- Decreased maneuverability compared with other Ambulatory Devices
- Requires upper body strength and partial weight bearing
III. Indication
- Gait disturbance (full weight bearing)
- Difficult balance
- Bilateral lower extremity weakness
IV. Types (in order of most stable to most mobile)
- Standard Walker
- Four 4 Rubber-tipped legs and no wheels
- For Ataxia (offers full weight bearing support)
- Advantages
- Most stable device of the Walkers
- Disadvantages
- Need strength and balance to fully lift walker with each step
- Requires slow deliberate gait pattern
- Needs most attention of any Ambulatory Device
- Front-Wheeled Walker or Two Wheeled Walker
- Two Rubber tipped back legs and two front wheels
- Rubber tipped back legs help prevent the walker from sliding away from patient
- For Movement Disorder (e.g. Parkinson's) or Ataxia
- Allows those with poor upper body strength to move walker without lifting
- Allows for normal gait and faster pace than Standard Walker
- Less stable for weight bearing than Standard Walker
- Four-Wheeled Walker (Rollator)
- Four wheeled freely mobile device
- Least stable of the Walkers, with risk of sliding out from under the patient
- May come equipped with hand brake to prevent unwanted movement
- Advanced models include a seat and basket allowing for rest breaks
- Consider in patients with cardiopulmonary disease with limited walk distance
- For mild Movement Disorder or Ataxia
- Intended for relatively high functioning patients who do not need support of weight bearing
- Do not use for weight bearing support (Fall Risk)
V. Fitting
- Keep elbow flexed at side to 15 to 30 degrees
- Cane length: greater trochanter to floor (with shoes)
- Technique is important
- Do not lean over the walker (poor spine mechanics)
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Related Studies
Definition (UMD) | Metal structures (i.e., frameworks) designed to help users to stand and walk (i.e., walkers). Walkers are typically a metal (some also include hard plastics) structure that frames the front and sides of users at waist level and that is supported by multiple (two to five are typical) legs; they usually include supports (i.e., grips, platforms) for the hands. Walkers are intended for the permanent assistance of disabled (e.g., infirm) patients and/or for use during rehabilitation therapy. Standard (i.e., rigid, nonwheeled), wheeled, foldable, adjustable, and one-side two-leg walkers are available; some walkers may include seats and/or other detachable accessories (e.g., trays, pouches). Combinations of walkers and integral seats (i.e., walker/chairs) are also available. |
Definition (MSH) | Walking aids generally having two handgrips and four legs. |
Concepts | Medical Device (T074) |
MSH | D014853 |
SnomedCT | 49338004 |
LNC | LA10117-2 |
English | Walkers, WALKER MISC. EACH, WALKER @ @ EACH, WALKER EACH, Walker, device, walker, walker (treatment), WALKER MISCELL EACH, WALKER@@MISCELL@EACH, walkers, walker [device], Walker, Walker, device (physical object) |
Swedish | Gånghjälpmedel |
Czech | chodítka |
Finnish | Kävelytelineet |
Russian | ORTOPEDICHESKIE PRISPOSOBLENIIA DLIA KHOD'BY, ОРТОПЕДИЧЕСКИЕ ПРИСПОСОБЛЕНИЯ ДЛЯ ХОДЬБЫ |
French | Cadres de marche, Déambulateurs |
Polish | Balkoniki ortopedyczne |
Norwegian | Ganghjelpemidler, Gåstol |
Spanish | Caminadores, andador (objeto físico), andador, Andadores |
German | Gehhilfen |
Italian | Girello |
Dutch | Looprek |
Portuguese | Andadores |
Ontology: Walking frame (C0438860)
Definition (SPN) | A mechanical walker is a four-legged device with a metal frame intended for medical purposes to provide moderate weight support while walking. It is used by disabled persons who lack strength, good balance, or endurance. |
Concepts | Medical Device (T074) |
SnomedCT | 151414007, 183145003, 266731002 |
Spanish | dispositivo para andador, dispositivo para andador (objeto físico), dispositivos para andar |
English | WALKER, MECHANICAL, frames walking, walking frame, Walker, rigid (pickup), adjustable or fixed height, Walking frame, WF - Walking frame, Walking frame (physical object), Walker rigid adjust/fixed ht |
Ontology: Rolling Walkers (C1961317)
Concepts | Medical Device (T074) |
English | Rolling Walkers |