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Walking Aids: Standard, Rolling, 3 Wheel And 4 Wheel Walkers
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Published: June 24, 2007
When the time comes, choosing the right walking aid can be an important decision. While different mobility problems require different medical equipment, one of the more common walking aids is the walker. This particular walking aid can be used for several ailments and is sometimes preferable to wheelchairs or crutches. Few people realize that there are several types of walkers available, and that each type of walking aid serves a different function.
Standard walkers have four legs that bear the weight of the user and offer maximum support.
With their simple designs, standard walkers are the most stable walking aid available, but their simplicity also gives them several shortcomings. With four legs and no rollers, a person must pick up the walker to use it properly, which requires some strength and forces the user into a slow pattern of movement.
If standard walkers aren't sufficient, rolling walkers with varying numbers of wheels are available and in some cases are a better walking aid for the disabled. 4 wheel walkers have no legs but instead have wheels where the rubber tipped legs would be on a standard walker. This gives 4 wheel walkers easy, quick movement that other walkers lack. Generally, these walkers come equipped with brakes in case a person needs to stop and support themselves with it, or if a user is walking down an incline. During movement when the brakes are not applied, 4 wheel walkers have little ability to support the weight of users, which can be a major problem. These walkers are intended for those who need a walking aid, but still have a higher range of movement and function.
If space to store a walking aid is minimal, one might consider 3 wheel walkers. 3 wheel walkers have similar support capabilities to that of 4 wheel walkers, though they tend to be collapsible for easier storage. Shaped like a triangle with the third wheel jutting forward and adjacent to the user, 3 wheel walkers fold so that the two other wheels meet at the back.
Somewhere between the standard walkers and the 4 or 3 wheel walkers are the 2 wheel walkers. 2 wheel walkers have wheels located at the front of the walker, with two legs in the rear for support. This provides a balance between the faster movement of the 4 wheel walkers and the increased stability of the standard walkers. The 2 wheel walking aids are considered best for those with more severe cases of Parkinson's and movement disorders, while more mild cases could find that more numerous wheeled rolling walkers are better suited for their particular needs.
Before getting any type of walker, it is important to consult a doctor or caretaker to determine what walking aid is the best fit. Before using this medical equipment, ensure that a user has been properly sized-up. Just as there are numerous types of builds in people, there are many types and brands of walking aids to support those builds. Customization of a walking aid will result in increased comfort and optimum utilization of what a walker can offer. Conversely, a walking aid that doesn't properly fit a patient can result in injury, so make sure that discomfort or a flawed fit is addressed immediately.
With proper attention to the needs of a patient, the walker can be one of the most helpful pieces of medical equipment available. A walking aid can offer support and balance to those who are rehabbing injuries or have disabilities due to advanced age or disease. While any walking aid is helpful, standard or rolling walkers may be exactly what the doctor ordered to get around with ease and comfort.
Sources:
How to Choose and Use a Walker. Mayo Clinic.com.14 Feb. 2007. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 20 June 2007. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walker/HA00060&am p;slide=2
Mobility Aids. Medline Plus. 27 April 2007. United States National Library of Medicine. 20 June 2007. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.ht ml
Walkers. Family Practice Notebook.com. 2007. 20 June 2007. http://www.fpnotebook.com/SPO51.htm
Van Hook, FW. "Ambulatory devices for chronic gait disorders in the elderly." Am Fam Physician. 15 April 2003. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 20 June 2007. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=searc h&db=PubMed&term=Van%20Hook%20%5BAU%5D%20A />
Standard walkers have four legs that bear the weight of the user and offer maximum support.
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If standard walkers aren't sufficient, rolling walkers with varying numbers of wheels are available and in some cases are a better walking aid for the disabled. 4 wheel walkers have no legs but instead have wheels where the rubber tipped legs would be on a standard walker. This gives 4 wheel walkers easy, quick movement that other walkers lack. Generally, these walkers come equipped with brakes in case a person needs to stop and support themselves with it, or if a user is walking down an incline. During movement when the brakes are not applied, 4 wheel walkers have little ability to support the weight of users, which can be a major problem. These walkers are intended for those who need a walking aid, but still have a higher range of movement and function.
If space to store a walking aid is minimal, one might consider 3 wheel walkers. 3 wheel walkers have similar support capabilities to that of 4 wheel walkers, though they tend to be collapsible for easier storage. Shaped like a triangle with the third wheel jutting forward and adjacent to the user, 3 wheel walkers fold so that the two other wheels meet at the back.
Somewhere between the standard walkers and the 4 or 3 wheel walkers are the 2 wheel walkers. 2 wheel walkers have wheels located at the front of the walker, with two legs in the rear for support. This provides a balance between the faster movement of the 4 wheel walkers and the increased stability of the standard walkers. The 2 wheel walking aids are considered best for those with more severe cases of Parkinson's and movement disorders, while more mild cases could find that more numerous wheeled rolling walkers are better suited for their particular needs.
Before getting any type of walker, it is important to consult a doctor or caretaker to determine what walking aid is the best fit. Before using this medical equipment, ensure that a user has been properly sized-up. Just as there are numerous types of builds in people, there are many types and brands of walking aids to support those builds. Customization of a walking aid will result in increased comfort and optimum utilization of what a walker can offer. Conversely, a walking aid that doesn't properly fit a patient can result in injury, so make sure that discomfort or a flawed fit is addressed immediately.
With proper attention to the needs of a patient, the walker can be one of the most helpful pieces of medical equipment available. A walking aid can offer support and balance to those who are rehabbing injuries or have disabilities due to advanced age or disease. While any walking aid is helpful, standard or rolling walkers may be exactly what the doctor ordered to get around with ease and comfort.
Sources:
How to Choose and Use a Walker. Mayo Clinic.com.14 Feb. 2007. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 20 June 2007. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walker/HA00060&am p;slide=2
Mobility Aids. Medline Plus. 27 April 2007. United States National Library of Medicine. 20 June 2007. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.ht ml
Walkers. Family Practice Notebook.com. 2007. 20 June 2007. http://www.fpnotebook.com/SPO51.htm
Van Hook, FW. "Ambulatory devices for chronic gait disorders in the elderly." Am Fam Physician. 15 April 2003. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 20 June 2007. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=searc h&db=PubMed&term=Van%20Hook%20%5BAU%5D%20A />
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