II. Indication
- Gait disturbance (full weight bearing)
III. Types (in order of most stable to most mobile)
- Standard Walker (4 Rubber-tipped legs)
- For Ataxia (offers full weight bearing support)
- Advantages
- Most stable device
- Disadvantages
- Need strength to fully lift walker with each step
- Requires slow deliberate gait pattern
- Needs most attention of any Ambulatory Device
- Front-Wheeled Walker (2 Rubber tip back legs, 2 wheels)
- For Movement Disorder (e.g. Parkinson's) or Ataxia
- Allows faster pace than Standard Walker
- Less stable for weight bearing than Standard Walker
- Four-Wheeled Walker (4 wheeled freely mobile device)
- For mild Movement Disorder or Ataxia
- Intended for relatively high functioning patients
- Do not use for weight bearing support (fall risk)
IV. Fitting
- Keep elbow flexed at side to 15 to 30 degrees
- Cane length: greater trochanter to floor (with shoes)