Assistive Devices for Mobility

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Intro to Mobility Aids - First Steps

  • Assistive Devices for Mobility (ADMs): External devices enhancing movement for individuals with mobility impairments.
  • Primary Goals: 📌 S.A.F.E.R.
    • Stability & balance improvement
    • Assist ambulation, promote independence
    • Functional ability ↑ (e.g., ADLs)
    • Energy conservation during movement
    • Reduce weight-bearing on limbs, alleviate pain
  • Broad Classification:
    • By Support: Canes, crutches, walkers
    • By Mobility: Wheeled (e.g., wheelchairs) vs. Non-wheeled
  • Prescription Principles: Patient assessment (strength, balance, cognition, environment, goals). Common assistive mobility devices collage

⭐ Proper patient education and training are crucial for safe and effective ADM use.

Canes & Crutches - Lean On Me

  • Canes: Mild balance/stability, unilateral weakness.

    • Types: Single-point, quad cane, hemi-walker.

    • Height: Greater trochanter/ulnar styloid, 20-30° elbow flexion.

    • Usage: Use contralateral (📌 COAL: Cane Opposite Affected Leg). Crutch height measurement with 30-degree elbow flexion

  • Crutches: ↓ Weight-bearing, ↑ stability.

    • Types: Axillary, Forearm (Lofstrand/Canadian).
    • Axillary:
      • Fit: 2-3 fingers below axilla; handpiece for 20-30° elbow flexion. Correct axillary crutch measurement and usage
      • ⚠️ Complication: Crutch palsy (Radial nerve).
    • Forearm: Cuff: proximal 1/3 forearm, 1-1.5 in. below elbow.
    • Stairs: 📌 "Up with the Good, Down with the Bad".

⭐ Radial nerve palsy: most common neuro complication from ill-fitted axillary crutches.

  • Crutch Gaits:

    • 2-point: Mild bilateral weakness.

    • 3-point: NWB one limb.

    • 4-point: Severe bilateral weakness/incoordination (stable).

    • Swing-to/Swing-through: Bilateral LL weakness (paraplegia), needs good upper body strength.

  • Gait Selection Flowchart:

Walkers & Frames - Steady Go

  • Types & Indications:
    • Standard (Pick-up): Max stability; for severe balance/weakness.
    • Wheeled (2-wheel front): Balance support, less energy than standard.
    • Rollator (4-wheel): Balance, ↑gait speed; not for significant weight-bearing. Has brakes, seat, basket.
    • Hemi-walker: For hemiplegia, more stable than quad cane.
  • Height: Handgrip at greater trochanter/ulnar styloid; 20-30° elbow flexion.
  • Gait: Walker → Affected leg → Unaffected leg (WWAL).
  • Pros: Wide base, high stability.
  • Cons: Slow, bulky, stairs/uneven terrain difficult. Walker vs. Rollator Comparison Chart

⭐ Standard walkers provide the most stability but require more energy expenditure than wheeled walkers.

Wheelchairs & Orthoses - Mobile Support

  • Wheelchairs: Aid non-ambulatory patients, conserve energy, enable long-distance mobility, provide pressure relief.
    • Types:
      • Manual: Self-propelled or attendant-propelled.
      • Powered (Electric): For users unable to self-propel or for long distances.
    • Prescription: Correct fit (seat width/depth/height, back height, armrests, footrests) prevents pressure sores, postural issues.
    • Specialized: Sports, standing, reclining.
  • Lower Limb Orthoses: Goal: Stabilize joints, assist movement, prevent deformity, protect, reduce pain.
    • AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthosis):
      • Indications: Foot drop, ankle instability, mediolateral control.
      • Types: Solid, Hinged, Posterior Leaf Spring (PLS), Ground Reaction.

      ⭐ A Posterior Leaf Spring (PLS) AFO is for isolated foot drop with good mediolateral ankle stability, aiding dorsiflexion in swing phase.

    • KAFO (Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis):
      • Indications: Significant knee weakness/instability (e.g., quadriceps paralysis post-polio, SCI, muscular dystrophy).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Axillary crutches: Risk of radial nerve palsy; fit 2-3 fingerbreadths below axilla, elbow 20-30° flexion.
  • Canes: Held contralateral to affected limb; handle at greater trochanter height.
  • Walkers: Offer maximum stability among ambulatory aids; standard type requires lifting.
  • Three-point gait: For non-weight bearing on one leg, used with crutches or a walker.
  • AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthosis): Primary orthotic intervention for foot drop.
  • PTB (Patellar Tendon Bearing) socket: Standard design for Below-Knee Amputation (BKA) prostheses.
  • Energy expenditure: Significantly ↑ with more proximal amputation levels and greater device support (Walker > Crutches > Cane).

Practice Questions: Assistive Devices for Mobility

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Amputation is often not required in:

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Flashcards: Assistive Devices for Mobility

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_____ due to discomfort and poor appearance is the most common complication of bracing.

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_____ due to discomfort and poor appearance is the most common complication of bracing.

Poor compliance

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