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A walker is a special rehabilitation medical device that allows elderly patients with inconvenient legs and feet and other people who have inflexible legs or even lost the ability to walk to take care of themselves and go out for a walk like normal people through the support of equipment.
Types of walking aids
The most common types of walkers include two-wheel and four-wheel walkers, both of which can provide you with enough stability if you have trouble maintaining your balance or fall easily.
Two-wheeled walkers are best when you need the walker to support your weight while you walk. The support legs without wheels prevent the walker from slipping away from you, and the two-wheeled walker can also be folded up. Put it in your car.
A four-wheel walker will allow you to go faster if you don't need to lean on your walker for balance, and it also has brakes for when you're going downhill.
Instructions
select the handle
Choose a handle that feels comfortable in your hand. Most walker handles are made of plastic, but they can easily become slippery if your hands get sweaty. You may choose other types of grips, such as foam or soft grips. But whichever you choose, make sure the handles are secure enough that your hands won't slip while using them.
adjust your walker
For your arms to feel comfortable, your walker must be adjusted. To see if your walker is the right height, you step into it, and then, check your elbow bend. Put your hands on the handle. The angle at which your elbow is bent should be comfortable in the hand—about 30 degrees; next, check the height of your wrist. Both arms are relaxed. The top of the walker must be flush with the inward junction of your wrist.
A well-adjusted walker can reduce the stress on your shoulders and back when the walker is in front of you while you walk.
● Start your first step. If you have a leg injury or disability, you first need to push the walker forward one step while keeping your body straight.
● Step into the walker and place one foot in the walker, keeping the walker still as you walk.
● Step out with the other foot.
Finally, step your other foot into the walker, keeping the walker still. Keep moving your walker forward and repeat the process. These three steps become smoother when used consecutively.
If you're not injured or disabled and just need a walker for balance, you can simply walk as you normally would, just put it in front. When you put the walker in front, stand inside the walker, not behind it.
don't lean toward the walker
One of the common mistakes in use is placing the walker too far forward. Keep walking inside the walker, not behind it, so keep your body upright while walking. Another common mistake is setting your walker too high. Both of these mistakes can make walking less comfortable and make you more likely to fall.
Choosing a mobility aid has to fit your needs and make you feel comfortable. Ask your doctor, physical therapist, or an experienced medical store salesperson which one is best for you, and try as many different walkers as you can before you decide to buy.
