This document discusses various assistive devices for mobility including canes, walkers, and crutches. It describes the indications for their use, including structural deformities, injuries, muscle weakness, and balance issues. Each device is then defined and the proper techniques for their use are outlined, such as holding a cane, moving walkers forward, and different crutch gaits. Instructions are provided for measuring clients and teaching them how to walk correctly with each assistive device.
2. Assistive Devices
โข Assistive devices are basically helpful
products that improve a personโs ability to
function independently.
โข They are used by people with disabilities and
older adults who want to remain
independent as long as possible
3. Indications for Ambulatory
Assistive Devices
โข Structural deformity, amputation, injury, or
disease resulting in decreased ability of
Lower extremities.
โข Muscle weakness or paralysis of the trunk or
Lower extremities
โข Inadequate balance
5. โข HOW TO USE:
โข CANES
โข WALKERS
โข CRUTCHES
6. Cane
โข Cane is a hand held ambulation device made
of wood or aluminum
โข Three types of canes are commonly used:
1. The standard straight-legged cane;
2. The tripod or crab cane, which has three
feet
3. The quad cane, which has four feet and
provides the most support
8. Cane
โข Cane tips should have rubber caps to
prevent slipping
โข The standard cane is 91 cm long; some
aluminum canes can be adjusted from 56 to
97 cm
9. Walking with a Cane
โข Hold the cane with the hand on the stronger side
of the body to provide maximum support and
when walking.
โข Position the tip of a standard cane about 15 cm (6
in.) to the side and 15 cm (6 in.) in front of the
near foot, so that the elbow is slightly flexed.
10. Walking with a Cane
โข Move the cane and weak leg forward at the same
time, while the weight is borne by the stronger
leg.
โข Move the stronger leg forward, while the weight is
borne by the cane and the weak leg
11. WALKERS
โข Walkers are mechanical devices for ambulatory
clients who need more support than a cane
provides.
โข The standard type is made of polished Aluminum.
โข It has four legs with rubber tips and plastic hand
grips.
โข Many walkers have adjustable legs.
13. Walking With Walkers
โข Move the walker ahead about 15 cm (6 in.) while
your body weight is borne by both legs.
โข Then move the right foot up to the walker while
your body weight is borne by the left leg and both
arms.
โข Next, move the left foot up to the right foot while
your body weight is borne by the right leg and
both arms.
14. CRUTCHES
โข Crutches may be a temporary need for some
clients and a permanent one for others.
โข The most frequently used kinds of crutches
are the Underarm Crutch, Or Axillary Crutch
with hand bars, and the Lofstrand Crutch,
which extends only to the forearm.
โข In crutch walking, the clientโs weight is
borne by the muscles of the shoulder girdle
and the upper extremities.
16. Measuring Clients for Crutches
โข The nurse makes sure the shoulder rest of the
crutch is at least three finger widths, that is, 2.5 to
5 cm (1 to 2 in.), below the axilla.
โข To determine the correct placement of the hand
bar:
1. The client stands upright and supports the body
weight by the hand grips of the crutches.
2. The nurse measures the angle of elbow flexion. It
should be about 30 degrees.
17. Crutch Gaits
โข The crutch gait is the gait a person assumes
on crutches by alternating body weight on
one or both legs and the crutches.
โข Five standard crutch gaits are the:
1. Four-point Gait
2. Three Point Gait
3. Two-point Gait
4. Swing-to Gait
5. Swing-through Gait
18. Four-point Gait
โข This is the most elementary and safest gait,
providing at least three points of support at
all times, but it requires coordination.
โข Clients can use it when walking in crowds
because it does not require much space.
19. Four-point Gait
The nurse asks the client to:
1. Move the right crutch ahead a suitable
distance, such as 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in.).
2. Move the left foot forward.
3. Move the left crutch forward.
4. Move the right foot forward.
20. Three point gait
โข To use this gait, the client must be able to
bear the entire body weight on the
unaffected leg.
โข The two crutches and the unaffected leg
bear weight alternately
โข The nurse asks the client to
1.Move both crutches and the weaker leg
forward.
2. Move the stronger leg forward.
21. Two-point gait
โข The nurse asks the client to:
1. Move the left crutch and the right foot
forward together.
2. Move the right crutch and the left foot
ahead together
22. Swing-to gait
โข The swing gaits are used by clients with
paralysis of the legs and hips
1. Move both crutches ahead together.
2. Lift body weight by the arms and swing to
the crutches.
23. Swing-Through Gait
โข The nurse asks the client to:
1. Move both crutches forward together
2. Lift body weight by the arms and swing
through and beyond the crutch