ATTN: AMBULATION AIDS

Hey bloggers!

 Today I will be discussing the importance of appropriately "fitting" your clients for assistive devices. 
It is important to appropriately "fit" your clients for use of an assistive device that is specific for his or her needs.  It is important for the following reasons:
1. Taking precautionary measures in order to ensure the health and safety of all people. This can be done to prevent injuries due to falls; specifically for aging adults. It is also aids in the prevention of abrasions, contusions, lacerations, etc. 
2. To aid in balance, strength, and stability 

 3. To increase safety and security 

 4. To decrease pain the client may be experiencing; or even prevent pain from occurring in the future.
How would an OT accomplish this for the following ambulation aids (assistive devices)?
  • Canes: [less stability than walkers]
    • standard: one leg
    • wide based quad cane (WBQC): increases stability when someone has decreased balance using a standard cane.
    • narrow based quad cane (NBQC): similar to the WBQC, but has a narrower base of support for those who require less support. 
  • Walkers:
    • platform walker: platform arm rests/supports; used by individuals who have mobility, walking, balance, or neurological disabilities. 
    • rolling walker: clients may exhibit upper extremity weakness or impaired balance.
  • Crutches:
    • Axillary crutches (standard): situated in clients axillary area; the axillary rest should be 5cm below the floor of the axilla, with the shoulders relaxed. 
    • Lofstrand crutches: contains an arm cuff that wraps around the proximal am; longterm disability use; provides more support/stability than a cane, but less than the standard crutches.  
In order to fit the client for canes and walkers, the OT needs to first locate the appropriate landmarks. For these assistive devices, the handgrip should be at the level of the ulnar styloid, wrist crease, or greater trochanter. The clients elbow should be relaxed, and flexed 20-30 degrees; and the shoulders should be relaxed as well, and not elevated. 

The OT needs to locate the appropriate landmarks in order to fit the client for crutches as well. The landmarks are the same as for canes and walkers, with the additional step that the axillary rest should be 5cm below the floor of the axilla, with the shoulders relaxed. 

I hope this post was helpful! Let me know what you think and please share with your friends.

Thank you, and stay natural!

naturalOT

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