Selecting the right walking aid
After the assessment, use the information gathered to help choose the walking aid that is most likely to meet the person’s needs. This should be a discussion with the person, to make sure you have understood their needs correctly and that their preferences are heard.
At this stage you also need to consider what size of walking aid will be needed. There is more information about this in step two (fitting).
In this topic you will have a chance to practise using assessment information to choose the most appropriate walking aid.
Actividad
Help Adira choose a walking aid
Adira is a young-middle age woman who has had a broken leg (fracture). She is wearing a cast and cannot put weight on her leg until the bone heals. She has good upper body strength and balance.
¿Qué producto de apoyo para caminar considera que sería el adecuado para Adira?
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Adira to view feedback
Correcto
Las muletas de codo son una buena opción para Adira porque:
- Adira tiene buena fuerza corporal y equilibrio
- Las muletas de codo pueden utilizarse de forma segura al cargar el peso en una sola pierna
- Crutches are good for short term use as they are less costly than walking frames and rollators
Posiblemente
Las muletas de axila serían adecuadas para Adira, ya que se pueden utilizar al cargar el peso sobre una pierna.
Sin embargo, como Adira tiene buena fuerza y equilibrio, podría utilizar muletas de codo.
Las muletas de codo son más livianas y cómodas.
Las muletas son buenas para un uso a corto plazo, ya que son menos costosas que los andadores y los andadores de cuatro ruedas.
Incorrecto
Adira no necesita el apoyo adicional de un andador.
Las muletas de codo son la mejor opción para Adira. Haga clic en "muletas de codo" para entender por qué.
Incorrecto
El andador de cuatro ruedas no puede utilizarse para cargar el peso en una sola pierna.
Las muletas de codo son la mejor opción para Adira. Haga clic en "muletas de codo" para entender por qué.
Incorrecto
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
Las muletas de codo son la mejor opción para Adira. Haga clic en "muletas de codo" para entender por qué.
Incorrecto
Un bastón no puede utilizarse para cargar el peso del cuerpo en una sola pierna.
Las muletas de codo son la mejor opción para Adira. Haga clic en "muletas de codo" para entender por qué.
Actividad
Help Hugo choose a walking aid
Hugo is a middle age man who has had knee surgery. He cannot put all of the weight through this leg until his knee heals. This is likely to be 6-8 weeks. Hugo was not very active before surgery and does not have a lot of upper body strength. Hugo needs to be able to move around outdoors where the ground is uneven.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Hugo to view feedback
Incorrecto
Elbow crutches will not provide the support and stability that Hugo needs. They will also need more upper body strength to use.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Correcto
If Hugo can safely use axilla crutches these are likely to be a good choice because:
- Axilla crutches are easier to use on uneven ground
- Axilla crutches will offer Hugo more support and stability than elbow crutches
- Crutches are also good for short term use as they are less costly than walking frames and rollators
Posiblemente
A walking frame is a possibility for Hugo but is not be the best option as it would be more difficult to use over uneven ground.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Incorrecto
Hugo is unlikely to need the extra support from a rollator, and this would be difficult to use over uneven ground.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why
Incorrecto
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Incorrecto
A walking stick would not provide enough support for Hugo.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Actividad
Help Ravi choose a walking aid
Ravi is an elderly man who has diabetes. He has had an above knee amputation caused by an infected foot ulcer. His trunk is weak and his balance is poor. Ravi does not have a prosthetic leg, and has used a wheelchair since his amputation. He wants to be able to move around inside his house with a walking aid.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Ravi to view feedback
Incorrecto
Forearm crutches will not provide enough balance support for Ravi.
No tiene suficiente fuerza en el tronco para utilizar muletas de antebrazo.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Incorrecto
Axilla crutches will not provide enough balance support for Ravi.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Correcto
A walking frame is a good choice for Ravi because:
- It is the most supportive walking aid. It will provide Ravi with support to walk short distances in his home
- A walking frame can be used for weight bearing on one leg only
Incorrecto
A rollator cannot be used for weight bearing on one leg.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Incorrecto
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Incorrecto
A walking stick cannot be used for weight bearing on one leg.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Actividad
Help Sofia choose a walking aid
Sofia is 68 years old, and recently has had a few falls in her home. She has poor balance, and can only walk short distances without assistance. She wants to be able to continue moving around her home and local community. However, she and her family are worried that she may fall again. Sofia lives in an area where there are good footpaths.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Sofia to view feedback
Incorrecto
Las muletas de antebrazo no brindarían a Sofía el apoyo que necesita para mantener el equilibrio.
Un andador de cuatro ruedas es una mejor opción para Sofía. Haga clic en andador de cuatro ruedas para endender por qué.
Incorrecto
Las muletas de axila no brindarían a Sofía el apoyo que necesita para mantener el equilibrio. Además, las muletas de axila suelen utilizarse a corto plazo. Sofía necesita una producto de apoyo para caminar para un uso más prolongado.
Un andador de cuatro ruedas es una mejor opción para Sofía. Haga clic en andador de cuatro ruedas para endender por qué.
Posiblemente
Un andador es una buena opción para Sofía porque le brindaría apoyo y reduciría el riesgo de caídas.
However, a rollator should also be considered. Click on rollator to see why.
Correcto
Un andador de cuatro ruedas puede ser una buena opción para Sofía porque:
- Le brindaría un buen apoyo y le permitiría caminar de forma más natural que un andador.
- Sería adecuado para utilizarlo en los senderos peatonales de su comunidad.
- Un andador de cuatro ruedas con asiento también sería conveniente, en caso que necesitara descansar.
Before providing a rollator, check that Sofia can easily manage the brakes and maintain control and that it is suitable for her home.
Incorrecto
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
Un andador de cuatro ruedas es una mejor opción para Sofía. Haga clic en andador de cuatro ruedas para endender por qué.
Incorrecto
Es probable que Sofía necesite más apoyo del que puede brindarle un bastón, ya que su equilibrio no es óptimo.
Un andador de cuatro ruedas es una mejor opción para Sofía. Haga clic en andador de cuatro ruedas para endender por qué.
Actividad
Help Abe and his family select a walking aid
Abe is six years old and has cerebral palsy. He wants a walking aid to use at school, so that he can go outside and play with his friends. He has weak legs and needs help with his balance and to stand upright. He is able to learn new things quickly, and there is an assistant at the school that could help Abe practise using a new walking aid.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Abe to view feedback
Incorrecto
Forearm crutches would not help Abe to stand upright as much as a posterior walker would and Abe currently needs more support and stability from a walking aid.
Forearm crutches might be a good future option for Abe if he develops more balance, strength and coordination.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Incorrecto
Axilla crutches are better for short term use and Abe needs something for longer term use.
Abe is also likely to find it difficult to stand upright enough to use axilla crutches safely.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Incorrecto
A standard walking frame would be difficult for Abe to manage as he would need to lift it and move it forwards to take each step.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Posiblemente
A posterior walker would be a better option for Abe, however, if there is no posterior walker available, a child size rollator may be suitable.
Abe would need training and practise to learn how to use a walker properly.
Click on posterior walker to see why (if available) a posterior walker is the better option.
Correcto
Posterior walkers are appropriate for children if they are able to walk using two legs and are able to hold onto the walker.
A posterior walker is a good option for Abe because:
- It will help him to maintain his posture
- It will assist him to learn a good walking pattern
Abe will need training and practise to learn how to use it properly.
Incorrecto
A walking stick would not provide enough support for Abe.
A posterior walker is a better option for Abe. Click on posterior walker to see why.
Actividad
Help Nguyen select a walking aid
Nguyen is an elderly woman who is very active in her community. She has recently tripped a few times when walking over uneven ground, and is worried she may fall. She is wondering if a walking aid may help her feel safer. She has good upper body strength and can walk without assistance.
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Nguyen to view feedback
Incorrecto
Nguyen does not need elbow crutches to move around.
Un bastón es una mejor opción para Nguyen. Haga clic en bastón para entender por qué.
Incorrecto
Nguyen no necesita muletas para desplazarse.
Axilla crutches are also better for short term use and Nguyen needs a walking aid for longer term use.
Un bastón es una mejor opción para Nguyen. Haga clic en bastón para entender por qué.
Incorrecto
Nguyen no necesita el apoyo adicional de un andador.
Un bastón es una mejor opción para Nguyen. Haga clic en bastón para entender por qué.
Incorrecto
Nguyen does need the extra support of a rollator, and it is not suitable for all environments.
Un bastón es una mejor opción para Nguyen. Haga clic en bastón para entender por qué.
Incorrecto
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
Un bastón es una mejor opción para Nguyen. Haga clic en bastón para entender por qué.
Correcto
Esta es la mejor opción para Nguyen porque:
- Tiene buena fuerza en la parte superior del cuerpo.
- Solo necesita un poco de apoyo.
- Un bastón le permitirá caminar en la mayoría de los entornos de su comunidad.
- A walking stick allows her to have a free hand