WALKING AIDS

Dr. Meghan Phutane (PT)

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist
Walking
• Walking is the manner or way in which you move
from place to place with your feet.

• It is a Movement at a regular and fairly slow pace by

lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never
having both feet off the ground at once.

• It is the highest level of motor control skill.

• The major requirements for successful walking
include:
• Support of body mass, by the lower extremities
• Production of locomotors rhythm
• Dynamic balance control of the moving body
• Propulsion of the body in the intended direction
Basic terms

• Ambulation: To walk from place to place or move about.

• It is a technique of post operative care in which a patient gets
out of bed and engages in light activity (as sitting, standing, or
walking) as soon as possible after an operation.
• Some time this term is also use in the place of walking .

• Gait: Gait is a term to describe human locomotion, it is

pattern of walking or a sequence of foot movements.
Gait cycle or walking cycle

• A cycle of walking is the period from the heel-strike of one

foot to the next heel-strike of the same foot
• When a subject is walking on level ground, than the
movements of the lower limbs may be divided into “swing”
and “stance” phases.
• The swing phase occurs when the limb is off the ground, and
the stance phase when it is in contact with the ground and is
bearing weight.
 WALKING AIDS

Walking aid is a device designed

to assist walking and improve the
mobility of people who have
difficulty in walking or people
who cannot walk independently.
Purpose of walking aids
• Increase area of support or base of support
• Maintain center of gravity over supported area
• Redistribute weight-bearing area by decreasing force
on injured or inflamed part or limb
• Can be compensate for weak muscles
• Decrease pain
• Improve balance
• Improves proprioception
Different Types of Walking Aids

walker Cane/Stick crutches

Selection

Stability of the patient

Strength of upper and lower limbs

Co-ordination of upper and lower limbs

Required degree of relief from weight-bearing

Clinical descriptors of weight bearing status

• Full weight bearing (FWB)

• Non weight bearing (NWB)
• Partial weight bearing (PWB)
• Toe touch weight bearing (TTWB)
• weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT)
 Parallel Bars
Rigid
Support through
the length of bars
Enables patients to
concentrate on
lower limbs
A full length mirror
placed at one end
Adjustment: height of the bar should be at the level of greater
trochanter
CANES
 Canes
Most common mobility aid
Commonly made of wood or aluminium
Transmits 20-25% of body weight
Held in hand opposite the involved side
Compensates for muscle weakness
Relieves pain
Elbow at 30° flexion
Advantages -

• Improves balance & postural stability

• Reduce biomechanical load on LE joints
• Widens BOS with less lateral shifting of COM
• Reduces forces on hip while walking
• Reduces knee pain in OA knee patients
• Restricted in NWB & PWB
TYPES OF CANE
Standard cane

• Single point or straight cane

• Made of wood or acrylic
• Has half circle or t-shaped handle
• Inexpensive & fits anywhere
• Not adjustable
Standard adjustable aluminum cane

• Same as standard, made of aluminum &

handle with a molded plastic covering
• Adjustable height with a push button
mechanism
• Approximate height is 27-38.5 inches
(68-98cm)
• Light weight & fits easily anywhere
• Costly than standard
Adjustable aluminum offset cane

• Proximal component of shaft of cane is

offset anteriorly – straight offset handle.
• Plastic or rubber molded grip
• Pressure can be given on center of the
cane for greater stability
• Adjustable height, lightweight & fits
anywhere.
• Costly
 Tripods
Made of aluminium alloy or steel
Three rubber tipped legs at
corner of an equilateral triangle
Handgrip in same plane as a line
joining two legs nearest and parallel to
patient’s foot
Elbow at 30° flexion
More stable
 Quadrupeds
Has four rubber tipped legs
More stable
Adjustable hand grip height
Provides broad base
Each point is covered with a rubber tip
Disadvantage – pressure exerted on
handle may not be centered, causes
instability; may not be used on stairs;
slower gait pattern
Hemi cane
• Provides a very broad base
• Legs are angled to maintain floor
contact to improve stability farther
from body
• Handgrip is molded with plastic
• Fold flat & adjustable in height
• Easy for travel & storage
• May not allow pressure to be centered
• Can not be used on stairs
• Require slow forward progression
• Costly
 Rolling cane
• Provides wide, wheeled base allowing uninterrupted
forward progression
• Includes contoured handgrip, height adjustments &
pressure sensitive break in the handle
• Wheeled base allows continuous weight on cane; no
need to lift & lace it forward
• Provides faster forward progression
• Require sufficient UE & grip strength for breaking
mechanism
• Not suitable for patients with propulsive gait pattern
(parkinson’s)
• Costly
Laser cane

• Incorporates bright red lase line projected

along the floor to assist freezing episodes
while walking
Handgrip
• General consideration relevant to all canes is nature of
handgrip.
• Variety of styles & sizes are available.
• Type of handgrip should be selected based on
• Patients comfort
• Grips ability to provide adequate surface area to allow effective weight
transfer while walking
• Types of handgrips –
• Crook handle
• Straight offset handle
• T – shaped handle
Measuring canes

• Cane is placed approximately 6inches from the lateral border

of the toes.
• 2 important landmarks for measurement are- greater
trochanter & angle of elbow
• Top of cane should come at the level of greater trochanter &
elbow flexed to 20-30 degrees (allows arm to shorten &
lengthen during gait cycle; provides shock absorption
mechanism)
• Height should be considered with regard to patients comfort
& cane’s effectiveness in accomplishing purpose
Gait pattern with cane
WALKER
(WALKING FRAME)
 Walking Frames

Used to improve balance & relieve weight bearing

Greatest stability
Provide wide BOS, improve anterior & lateral stability, allows
UE to transfer body weight to floor.
Typically made of aluminium with moulded vinyl handgrip &
rubber tips
Adjustable adult size- 32-37inches (81-92cms)
Features
• Glides
• Folding mechanism
• Handgrips
• Platform attachment
• Wheel attachment
• Braking mechanism
• Tripod rolling walker
• Storage attachment
• Seating surface
Types:-

1. Standard
2. Reciprocal
3. Rollator
 Standard walking frame

Consist four almost vertical aluminium

tubes joined on three sides by upper and
lower horizontal tubes
One side is left open
Handgrips on upper horizontal tube
Rubber tips at lower ends of vertical tubes
 Reciprocal Walking Frame

Identical with standard frame

Each side of the frame can be
moved forward
Swivel joints between horizontal
and vertical tubes
Advantages :-
• Allows unilateral forward progression
• Useful for patients incapable of lifting the walker to move it forward
• Relatively light weight & easily adjustable

Disadvantages :-
• Less inherent stability
• Awkward in confined area
• Eliminate arm swing
• Can not be used on stairs
 Rollator
Two small wheels at front and two
legs without wheels at back
or one wheel at each leg
No need for lifting the
whole device
Care to be taken for
elderly patients
Best suited for children
 Other Variants of Walking Frame

Gutter frame Pulpit frame

Gutter frame Pulpit frame

CRUTCHES
• Used most frequently to improve
balance & to relieve weight bearing
(fully/partially)
• Typically used bilaterally – to increase
BOS, improve lateral stability, allows UE
to transfer body weight to the floor.
• 2 basic designs of crutches in clinical use
are :-
• Axillary crutches
• Forearm crutches
Prerequisites for crutches

• Good strength of upper limb muscles is required.

• Range of motion of upper limb should be good.
• Muscle group which should be strong are –
• Shoulder flexor, extensors and depressor
• Shoulder adductors
• Elbow and wrist extensors
• Finger flexors
Axillary crutches /under arm crutches

• Referred as standard crutches.

• They are made of lightweight wood or metal with an Axillary bar, a hand
piece and double uprights joined distally by single leg covered with
rubber suction tip.
• Single leg allows height variations.
• Both the overall height of the crutch & height of the handgrip can be
adjusted.
• Adjustable adult crutch size is 48-60 inch.
• Advantages –
• Improve balance & lateral stability
• Provide functional ambulation with restricted weight bearing
• Easily adjustable
• Inexpensive
• Can be used for stair climbing easily
• Disadvantages –
• Awkward in small areas – may compromise safety when using in
crowded place
• Limited upper body freedom
• Axillary crutches require good standing balance by the patient.
• Tendency to lean forward on axillary bar (pressure on radial groove -
potential damage to vascular structures)
Precautions
• Have someone nearby for assistance until accustomed to the
crutches.
• Frequently check that all pads are securely in place
• Check screws at least once per week.
• Clean out crutch tips to ensure they are free of dirt and stones.
• Remove small, loose rugs from walking paths.
• Beware of ice, snow, wet or waxed floors
• Avoid crowds.
• Never carry anything in hands ,use a backpack.
 Platform attachment
• Also referred as forearm rest or troughs.
• Also used with walkers.
• Function – to allow transfer of body weight from
forearm to assistive device.
• Used when weight bearing is contraindicated
through wrist or hand.
• Forearm piece is usually padded, has a dowel or
handgrip, has hook or loop strap to maintain
position of forearm.
Measurement of length
 Several methods are used but most common is in standing & supine
position.
 Measurement in standing is most accurate & preferred approach.
 standing –
 Supported standing – from 2inches below the axilla to 2inches lateral
& 6inches anterior to the foot.
 With shoulder relaxed adjust the hand piece to provide 20-30
degrees of elbow flexion.
 General estimate – subtract 16inch (40.64cms) from patient’s height.
 Supine –
 From the anterior axillary fold to a point 6-8 inches lateral from the
border of the heel.
Measurement of axillary crutch
 Forearm crutches

• Also known as lofstrand / elbow / canadian crutches.

• They are made of aluminum.
• Design includes a single upright, a forearm cuff & a handgrip.
• It adjusts both proximally (position of forearm cuff) & distally (height of crutch); using
push button mechanism.
• Generally adult sizes are 29-35inches (74-89cms).
• Distal end of crutch is covered with rubber suction tip.
• Forearm cuffs are available with either medial or anterior opening.
• Advantages –
• Forearm cuff allows use of hands
• Easily adjusted & allows functional stair climbing
• Most functional for patients with bilateral KAFO’s.
• Using forearm crutches requires no more energy, increased oxygen
consumption or heart rate than axillary crutches.
• There is no risk of injury to the neurovascular structures in the axillary
region when using this type of crutches.

• Disadvantages –
• Less lateral support
• Cuffs ay be difficult to remove
• They require good standing balance and upper-body strength.
• Geriatric patient sometimes feel insecure.
MEASUREMENT :

• Position of choice – supported standing

• From 1-1.5inches below the elbow to Distal end at a point 2inches lateral
& 6inches anterior to the foot.
• Shoulders should be relaxed & elbow maintained at 20-30degrees
flexion.
• Cuff placement at the proximal third of the forearm.
Preparation For Crutch Walking

• Arms: shoulder extensors, adductors and elbow extensors

even all muscles of arms must be assessed and strengthened
before the patient starts walking. The hand grip must also be
tested to see that the patient has sufficient power to grasp
hand piece.
• Legs: Strength and mobility of both legs should be assessed
and strengthened if necessary. Main attention to the hip
abductors and extensor, the knee extensors and the plantar
flexors of the ankle should be given.
• Balance: sitting and standing balance must be tested.
• Demonstration: the physiotherapist should demonstrate
appropriate crutch walking to the patient.
Crutch walking

• During first time, when the patient is to stand and walk, the
physiotherapist should have an assistant for supporting the
patient.
• Non-weight bearing: patient should always stand with a
triangular base i.e. crutches either in front or behind the
weight bearing leg
• Partial weight bearing: The crutches and the affected leg are
taken forward and put down together. Weight is then taken
through the crutches and the affected leg, while the
unaffected leg is brought through.
Gait pattern with crutches

• Four point gait

• Three point gait
• Two point gait
• Two point swing through gait
• Two point swing to gait (the feet are advanced by a much shorter
distance and placed behind the level of crutches)
 Four-point gait
In this gait pattern one crutch is
advanced and then the opposite lower
extremity is advanced. For example,
the left crutch is moved forward, then
the right lower extremity, followed by
the right crutch and then the left lower
extremity.
• Slow, Good stability - at least 3 point
contact ground
• Weight is on both lower extremities
and used with bilateral involvement
due to poor balance, in coordination(
Ataxia) and muscle weakness
 Three-point gait
• In this type of gait three points of support contact the floor.
• Non-weight-bearing gait for lower limb fracture or amputation.
Non Weight Bearing
Two-point gait

• This gait pattern is similar to the

four-point gait. However, it is less
stable because only two points of
floor contact are maintained. Thus,
use of this gait requires better
balance.
• The two-point pattern more closely
stimulates normal gait, in as much as
the opposite lower and upper
extremity move together.
• Two additional, less commonly used crutch gaits are the
swing-to and swing-through patterns. These gaits are often
used when there is bilateral lower extremity involvement,
such as in spinal cord injuries.
 Swing-through gait

• Fastest gait, requires functional

abdominal muscles
• In the swing-through gait, the
crutches are moved forward
together, but the lower
extremities are swing beyond
the crutches.
Swing-to gait

• Both crutches -> both lower

limbs almost to crutch level
• The swing-to gait involves
forward movement of both
crutches simultaneously, and
the lower extremities “swing
to” the crutches.
4 point gait –Balance and confidence / full
weight bearing
3 point gait – Balance and partial weight
bearing
2 point gait – non weight-bearing/ full weight
bearing

Point gait – stability, slow

Swing gait – more energy, fast
STAIR
CLIMBING
GUIDELINES

• If railing is available – use it (For axillary crutches, put both in

one hand)
• Stronger LE always leads going up & weaker or involved limb
leads coming down. (up with good; down with bad)
Ascending stairs :-
• Therapist – postero-lateral on affected side
• Maintain wide BOS
• Take step only when patient is not moving
• Hold guarding belt posteriorly by one hand & other anteriorly but not
touching o the shoulder o affected side

• Leave crutches on the same level where standing.

• Support weight evenly on the crutch hand and railing.
• Raise the uninjured foot to the higher step, letting the injured foot trail
behind.
• Straighten the uninjured leg and advance the crutches.
To Descend
• Therapist – anterolateral to affected side
• Maintain wide BOS
• Take step only when patient is not moving
• Hold guarding belt anteriorly by one hand & other anteriorly but not
touching o the shoulder o affected side

• Place the crutches on the lower step, while extending the injured foot
forward. Place the crutches on both sides of the body if no railing is
present.
• Support weight evenly on the crutch hand and railing.
• Move the uninjured foot to the lower step.
• Narrow steps without a railing might require sitting on each step.
 Stair Climbing
Up With GOOD, Down With BAD
If balance is lost . . .

1. Make contact of the hand guarding the shoulder.

2. Therapist should move towards the patient. (don’t pull patient towards
therapist)
3. If needed, make the patient sit down on the staircase.
According to static and dynamic balance, starts from easy to hardest

Underwater
Use parallel bars
Walker
Crutches
Canes
Independent
Books References

• O’Sullivan, Susan B., Thomas J. Schmitz. Physical

Rehabilitation Assessment and Treatment. 4th ed. F. A.
Davis Company. 1994. p. 430-431
• M.Dena Gardiner
ANY QUESTION ????
Don’t Give Up