In recent years, more and more elderly people have entered society and patients with hemiplegia, paraplegia, amputation or other lower limb weakness that cannot support weight. Walking aids are indispensable rehabilitation aids. There are many types of walking aids on the market, and only by choosing the right walking aid can users bring the greatest convenience to their lives. In medicine, tools that assist human body weight support, balance, and walking are called walking aids.
Balance maintenance: For elderly people, non-central motor dysfunction, weak lower limbs, poor spasticity before extension, inability to balance when the center of gravity moves, etc., but it is not very effective for balance disorders in elderly stroke or multiple brain infarction patients.
Weight support: Walking aids such as a lightweight folding walking frame with seat can replace them when patients with hemiplegia or paraplegia have weakened muscle strength or cannot support weight with their lower limbs due to joint pain.
Muscle strength enhancement: Frequently using canes and crutches can enhance the strength of the upper limb extensors because they need to support the body.
Generally speaking, crutches are suitable for hemiplegic patients or unilateral lower limb paralysis, and forearm crutches and axillary crutches are suitable for paraplegic patients. Walking aid equipments have a large support area and are more stable than axillary crutches, and are mostly used indoors. Like the electric reclining wheelchair, walking aids offer a practical solution for individuals who require greater mobility and support.
The upper limb and shoulder muscle strength must be normal to use the cane
For example, for hemiplegic patients or incomplete paraplegic patients with poor muscle strength in the healthy limb and lower limbs. Patients with good grip strength and strong upper limb support can choose a single-foot cane. If balance and coordination abilities are poor, three-foot or four-foot canes should be used.
Forearm crutches and axillary crutches
For patients with complete lower limb paralysis (paraplegia below T10, who must use thigh orthotics, or complete paraplegia below T4, whose upper limb muscle strength is level 5), double forearm or axillary crutches can be used to walk; for unilateral lower limb paralysis, one crutch can be used.
For incomplete lower limb paralysis, forearm crutches or axillary crutches should be selected according to the residual lower limb muscle strength.
Standard forearm crutches are generally used for training. If the patient can stand the axillary crutches and walk with the handle without crutches, forearm crutches can be used.
When the upper arm muscle strength is weak: when the triceps is weak, the elbow support capacity is reduced, and the triceps support blade axillary crutches should be used; when the elbow joint stability is poor, forearm crutches or axillary crutches with wrist joint fixation straps should be used.
When the elbow joint flexion spasm cannot be straightened, a platform crutch can be used.
Walker
When the muscle strength of the two upper limbs is weak and the body weight cannot be fully supported, an armpit support type walking aid equipment should be used. Paraplegic patients with normal upper limb muscle strength and poor balance can choose the interactive walker.
