Assistive Devices / Supportive Devices For Mobility

ByM. Shivanandha Reddy

Assistive Devices• Assistive devices are

basically helpful products that improve a person’s ability to function independently.

• They are used by people with disabilities and older adults who want to remain independent as long as possible

Indications for Ambulatory Assistive Devices

• Structural deformity, amputation, injury, or disease resulting in decreased ability of Lower extremities.

• Muscle weakness or paralysis of the trunk or Lower extremities

• Inadequate balance

Assistive devices

• Commonly used Assistive devices for mobility includes :

CaneWalkersCrutches

• HOW TO USE:• CANES

• WALKERS • CRUTCHES

Cane• Cane is a hand held

ambulation device made of wood or aluminum

• 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

Cane

Cane

• Cane tips should have rubber caps to prevent slipping

• The standard cane is 91 cm long; some aluminum canes can be adjusted from 56 to 97 cm

Walking with a Cane

• Hold the cane with the hand on the stronger side of the body to provide maximum support and when walking.

• 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.

Walking with a Cane

• Move the cane and weak leg forward at the same time, while the weight is borne by the stronger leg.

• Move the stronger leg forward, while the weight is borne by the cane and the weak leg

WALKERS

• Walkers are mechanical devices for ambulatory clients who need more support than a cane provides.

• The standard type is made of polished Aluminum.

• It has four legs with rubber tips and plastic hand grips.

• Many walkers have adjustable legs.

walkers

Walking With Walkers

• Move the walker ahead about 15 cm (6 in.) while your body weight is borne by both legs.

• Then move the right foot up to the walker while your body weight is borne by the left leg and both arms.

• Next, move the left foot up to the right foot while your body weight is borne by the right leg and both arms.

CRUTCHES

• Crutches may be a temporary need for some clients and a permanent one for others.

• 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.

• In crutch walking, the client’s weight is borne by the muscles of the shoulder girdle and the upper extremities.

CRUTCHES

Measuring Clients for Crutches

• 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.

• 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.

Crutch Gaits• The crutch gait is the gait a

person assumes on crutches by alternating body weight on one or both legs and the crutches.

• Five standard crutch gaits are the:

1. Four-point Gait2. Three Point Gait3. Two-point Gait4. Swing-to Gait5. Swing-through Gait

Four-point Gait

• This is the most elementary and safest gait, providing at least three points of support at all times, but it requires coordination.

• Clients can use it when walking in crowds because it does not require much space.

Four-point GaitThe 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.

Three point gait• To use this gait, the client

must be able to bear the entire body weight on the unaffected leg.

• The two crutches and the unaffected leg bear weight alternately

• The nurse asks the client to1.Move both crutches and the

weaker leg forward.2. Move the stronger leg

forward.

Two-point gait

• 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

Swing-to gait

• 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.

Swing-Through Gait

• The nurse asks the client to:1. Move both crutches forward

together2. Lift body weight by the

arms and swing through and beyond the crutch