GAIT AID AND WHEELCHAIR

SIAM TONGPRASERT, M.D.

GAIT AID: Functions

• Broaden the base of support

• Improve balance and stability

• Reduce load on lower limb

• Assist propulsion

CANES

• Transmit 20-25

% of body

weight from the

lower extremity

• By adding a widened

base of the tip of the

cane, the total base

of support can be

increased, thus

increasing stability

during gait

CRUTCHES

1. Axillary or underarm crutches

2. Forearm or Lofstrand crutches

3. Platform crutches

Axillary crutches

Shoulder

piece

Double

uprights

Hand grip

or bar

• Can transfer 80 % of body

weight • Complication: radial nerve palsy “Crutch palsy”

Forearm crutches

Forearm

cuff

Padded

hand bar

• Can transfer weight 40-50 % of

body weight

• Best suited for patients with

good trunk balance and

confidence in ambulation

Platform crutches

Platform

• It is indicate for patients with

• Flexion contracture of the elbow

• Weak hand grip

• Upper limb cannot bear full force

of weight transmission

WALKER

• Give maximum support during

ambulation

• Suitable for patients who are

confused or have poor balance

• Disadvantage: • Gait is slow and awkward

• Bad posture

• Cannot be used during climbing

stairs

WHEELED WALKER

• Patients with incoordination of

the upper extremity and trunk,

where lifting crutches or walker

and placing them forward may

be difficult

GAIT PATTERNS

1. Alternating (reciprocal) gait

pattern

2. Swinging (simultaneous) gait

pattern

Alternating gait patterns

• Four-point gait

• Two-point gait

• Three-point gait

• Cane gait

• Walker gait

Swinging gait patterns

• Drag-to gait

• Swing-to gait

• Swing-through gait

WEIGHT BEARING

1. Non weight

2. Toe-touch

3. Partial weight bearing

4. Weight bearing as tolerate

5. Full weight bearing

WHEELCHAIR

1. Institute wheelchair (In-door

wheelchair)

2. Out-door wheelchair

Standard wheelchair

Sport wheelchair

Reclining wheelchair

One arm drive wheelchair

Standing wheelchair

Motorized wheelchair

Standard measurement

Cushion

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR ATTENTION