Walking Aids: Difference between revisions
Lauren Lopez (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
Lauren Lopez (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Walking aids are sometimes also reffered to as ambulatory assistive devices. A | Walking aids are sometimes also reffered to as ambulatory assistive devices. A walking aid is one of several devices a patient may be issued in order to improve their [[Gait Cycle|walking pattern]], [[Balance]] or safety while mobilising independently. They can also be a means of transferring weight from the upper limb to the ground, in cases where reducing weight bearing through the lower limb is desired. | ||
Walking aids fall into multiple categories (single- and multipoint, tripod or quadruped) and include the following: | Walking aids fall into multiple categories (single- and multipoint, tripod or quadruped) and include the following: | ||
*[[Canes]] | *[[Canes]] or walking sticks | ||
*[[Crutches]] | *[[Crutches]] | ||
*[[Walkers]] | *[[Walkers]] | ||
The tip of | The distal tip of canes and crutches should have a rubber ferrule to prevent the walking aid from slipping, with some ferrules being depressed to form a vacuum when it comes into contact with the ground. The ferrule should not be worn or cracked and should fit well onto the point of the walking aid. | ||
== Prescription == | |||
Prescription of walking aids should ideally be done by a physiotherapist after a thorough assessment of gait, balance, the musculoskeletal and neurological systems. Assessment should also take into account any clinically significant co-morbidities and the individual's day to day mobility requirements e.g. community ambulation, navigating steps or public transport. Physiotherapists should also be aware of the perceptions of walking aids can be negative at times as individuals may feel like they are giving up their independence or fear they will look frail. In such instances, the physiotherapist needs to balance the individual's concerns with safety, encouraging the individual to consider the walking aid as keeping them mobile and able to continue with their daily activities. | |||
Follow up is also needed after an initial assessment and prescription in order to adjust the walking aid as needed. See the [[canes]], [[crutches]] and [[walkers]] pages for further detail. | |||
[[File:2448px-Teenage boy on crutches with walking boot.jpg|thumb|crutch]] | [[File:2448px-Teenage boy on crutches with walking boot.jpg|thumb|crutch]] | ||
== Descriptors of Weight Bearing Status | == Descriptors of Weight Bearing Status == | ||
Prescription of an appropriate walking aids requires knowledge of weight bearing prescribed to the patient or being allowed by the problem he or she is having. Common [[Weight bearing|weight bearing status]] are being described as following | Prescription of an appropriate walking aids requires knowledge of weight bearing prescribed to the patient or being allowed by the problem he or she is having. Common [[Weight bearing|weight bearing status]] are being described as following<ref>O'Sullivan SB, Schmitz TJ, Fulk G. Physical rehabilitation. FA Davis; 2013 Jul 23.</ref> | ||
*Full weight bearing(FWB): There are no restrictions and client can bear 100% body weight on the lower extremities(LE). | *Full weight bearing (FWB): There are no restrictions and client can bear 100% body weight on the lower extremities (LE). | ||
*Non-weight bearing(NWB): No weight is borne on the involved limb | *Non-weight bearing (NWB): No weight is borne on the involved limb | ||
*Partial weight bearing(PWB): Client is allowed to bear only a portion of body weight on lower extremities. It is sometimes expressed as a percentage of body weight (example 20% to 70%) | *Partial weight bearing (PWB): Client is allowed to bear only a portion of body weight on lower extremities. It is sometimes expressed as a percentage of body weight (example 20% to 70%) | ||
*Toe touch weight bearing(TTWB): Only the toes of the affected extremity contact the floor to improve balance | *Toe touch weight bearing (TTWB): Only the toes of the affected extremity contact the floor to improve balance | ||
*Weight bearing as tolerated(WBAT): Weight bearing is limited by patient tolerance of weight borne on extremity. | *Weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT): Weight bearing is limited by patient tolerance of weight borne on extremity. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 04:43, 1 February 2019
Original Editor - The Open Physio project.
Top Contributors - Admin, Lauren Lopez, Kim Jackson, Ammar Suhail, Redisha Jakibanjar, Lucinda hampton, Natalie Patterson, Tolulope Adeniji, Rachael Lowe, Naomi O'Reilly, WikiSysop, Karen Wilson and Amanda Ager
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Walking aids are sometimes also reffered to as ambulatory assistive devices. A walking aid is one of several devices a patient may be issued in order to improve their walking pattern, Balance or safety while mobilising independently. They can also be a means of transferring weight from the upper limb to the ground, in cases where reducing weight bearing through the lower limb is desired.
Walking aids fall into multiple categories (single- and multipoint, tripod or quadruped) and include the following:
The distal tip of canes and crutches should have a rubber ferrule to prevent the walking aid from slipping, with some ferrules being depressed to form a vacuum when it comes into contact with the ground. The ferrule should not be worn or cracked and should fit well onto the point of the walking aid.
Prescription[edit | edit source]
Prescription of walking aids should ideally be done by a physiotherapist after a thorough assessment of gait, balance, the musculoskeletal and neurological systems. Assessment should also take into account any clinically significant co-morbidities and the individual's day to day mobility requirements e.g. community ambulation, navigating steps or public transport. Physiotherapists should also be aware of the perceptions of walking aids can be negative at times as individuals may feel like they are giving up their independence or fear they will look frail. In such instances, the physiotherapist needs to balance the individual's concerns with safety, encouraging the individual to consider the walking aid as keeping them mobile and able to continue with their daily activities.
Follow up is also needed after an initial assessment and prescription in order to adjust the walking aid as needed. See the canes, crutches and walkers pages for further detail.
Descriptors of Weight Bearing Status[edit | edit source]
Prescription of an appropriate walking aids requires knowledge of weight bearing prescribed to the patient or being allowed by the problem he or she is having. Common weight bearing status are being described as following[1]
- Full weight bearing (FWB): There are no restrictions and client can bear 100% body weight on the lower extremities (LE).
- Non-weight bearing (NWB): No weight is borne on the involved limb
- Partial weight bearing (PWB): Client is allowed to bear only a portion of body weight on lower extremities. It is sometimes expressed as a percentage of body weight (example 20% to 70%)
- Toe touch weight bearing (TTWB): Only the toes of the affected extremity contact the floor to improve balance
- Weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT): Weight bearing is limited by patient tolerance of weight borne on extremity.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ O'Sullivan SB, Schmitz TJ, Fulk G. Physical rehabilitation. FA Davis; 2013 Jul 23.
