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.
Kegiatan
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.
Which walking aid do you think would suit Adira?
Tip – click on the walking aid your think would best suit Adira to view feedback
Correct
Elbow crutches are a good choice for Adira because:
- Adira has good body strength and balance
- Elbow crutches can be safely used when weight bearing on one leg
- Crutches are good for short term use as they are less costly than walking frames and rollators
Possibly
Axilla crutches would be suitable for Adira as they can be used when weight bearing on one leg.
However, as Adira has good strength and balance she would be able to use elbow crutches.
Elbow crutches are lighter, and more convenient.
Crutches are good for short term use as they are less costly than walking frames and rollators.
Incorrect
Adira does not need the additional support of a walking frame.
Elbow crutches are a better choice for Adira. Click on elbow crutches to see why.
Incorrect
A rollator cannot be used to weight bear on one leg only.
Elbow crutches are a better choice for Adira. Click on elbow crutches to see why.
Incorrect
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
Elbow crutches are a better choice for Adira. Click on elbow crutches to see why.
Incorrect
A walking stick cannot be used to weight bear on one leg only.
Elbow crutches are a better choice for Adira. Click on elbow crutches to see why.
Kegiatan
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
Incorrect
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.
Correct
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
Possibly
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.
Incorrect
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
Incorrect
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
Axilla crutches would be a better option for Hugo. Click on axilla crutches to see why.
Incorrect
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.
Kegiatan
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
Incorrect
Forearm crutches will not provide enough balance support for Ravi.
He does not have enough trunk strength to use forearm crutches.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Incorrect
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.
Correct
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
Incorrect
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.
Incorrect
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
A walking frame would be a better option for Ravi. Click on walking frame to see why.
Incorrect
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.
Kegiatan
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
Incorrect
Forearm crutches would not provide Sofia with the balance support that she needs.
A rollator would be better option for Sofia. Click on rollator to see why.
Incorrect
Axilla crutches would not provide Sofia with the balance support that she needs. Axilla crutches are also usually used short term. Sofia needs a walking aid for longer term use.
A rollator would be better option for Sofia. Click on rollator to see why.
Possibly
A walking frame is an option for Sofia because it would provide her with support and reduce her risk of falling.
However, a rollator should also be considered. Click on rollator to see why.
Correct
A rollator could be a good option for Sofia because:
- It would provide her with good support and allow her to walk more naturally than a walking frame
- It would be suitable to use on the footpaths in her community
- A rollator with a seat would also be good if she needs to rest
Before providing a rollator, check that Sofia can easily manage the brakes and maintain control and that it is suitable for her home.
Incorrect
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
A rollator would be better option for Sofia. Click on rollator to see why.
Incorrect
Sofia is likely to need more support than a walking stick can provide, because her balance is poor.
A rollator would be better option for Sofia. Click on rollator to see why.
Kegiatan
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
Incorrect
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.
Incorrect
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.
Incorrect
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.
Possibly
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.
Correct
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.
Incorrect
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.
Kegiatan
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
Incorrect
Nguyen does not need elbow crutches to move around.
A walking stick is a better option for Nguyen. Click on walking stick to see why.
Incorrect
Nguyen does not need crutches to move around.
Axilla crutches are also better for short term use and Nguyen needs a walking aid for longer term use.
A walking stick is a better option for Nguyen. Click on walking stick to see why.
Incorrect
Nguyen does not need the extra support of a walking frame.
A walking stick is a better option for Nguyen. Click on walking stick to see why.
Incorrect
Nguyen does need the extra support of a rollator, and it is not suitable for all environments.
A walking stick is a better option for Nguyen. Click on walking stick to see why.
Incorrect
Posterior walkers are more appropriate for children.
A walking stick is a better option for Nguyen. Click on walking stick to see why.
Correct
This is the best option to try for Nguyen because:
- She has good upper body strength
- She only needs a small amount of support
- A walking stick will allow her to walk in most environments around her community
- A walking stick allows her to have a free hand