Cane and Walkers

• General Principles of Assistive Devices

  Height of the assistive device should be at the level of hip or greater trochanter
• General Principles of Assistive Devices

  Flexion of elbows must be at 20-30°
• Types of Assistive Devices

  Cane - For stroke
• Types of Assistive Devices

  Crutch - For fractures
• Types of Assistive Devices

  Walker - For elderly and diseases associated with them e.g. Parkinsons, OA
• Types of Assistive Devices

  Cane - Least safe
• Types of Assistive Devices

  Walker - Most stable type
• Cane

  The client must hold the cane on the unaffected side. The cane and the affected leg are advanced together.
• General Principles of Assistive Devices

  The AFFECTED side is usually FIRST
• Walking with Cane

  • 1st: Cane
  • 2nd: Weak leg
  • 3rd: Strong leg
• Walker Principles

  Instruct client to use "lift and walk" technique (lift the walker forward, then make few small steps toward the walker)
• Walker Principles

  When going up the stairs, use the walker at the back
• Walker Principles

  When going down the stairs, use the walker in front