This document discusses various assistive devices for mobility including canes, walkers, and crutches. It describes the indications for their use, including structural deformities, injuries, muscle weakness, and balance issues. Each device is then defined and the proper techniques for their use are outlined, such as holding a cane, moving walkers forward, and different crutch gaits. Instructions are provided for measuring clients and teaching them how to walk correctly with each assistive device.

1. Assistive Devices / Supportive Devices
For Mobility
By
M. Shivanandha Reddy

2. Assistive Devices
• Assistive devices are basically helpful
products that improve a person’s ability to
function independently.
• They are used by people with disabilities and
older adults who want to remain
independent as long as possible

3. Indications for Ambulatory
Assistive Devices
• Structural deformity, amputation, injury, or
disease resulting in decreased ability of
Lower extremities.
• Muscle weakness or paralysis of the trunk or
Lower extremities
• Inadequate balance

4. Assistive devices
• Commonly used Assistive devices for mobility
includes :
Cane
Walkers
Crutches

5. • HOW TO USE:
• CANES
• WALKERS
• CRUTCHES

6. Cane
• Cane is a hand held ambulation device made
of wood or aluminum
• Three types of canes are commonly used:
1. The standard straight-legged cane;
2. The tripod or crab cane, which has three
feet
3. The quad cane, which has four feet and
provides the most support

7. Cane

8. Cane
• Cane tips should have rubber caps to
prevent slipping
• The standard cane is 91 cm long; some
aluminum canes can be adjusted from 56 to
97 cm

9. Walking with a Cane
• Hold the cane with the hand on the stronger side
of the body to provide maximum support and
when walking.
• Position the tip of a standard cane about 15 cm (6
in.) to the side and 15 cm (6 in.) in front of the
near foot, so that the elbow is slightly flexed.

10. Walking with a Cane
• Move the cane and weak leg forward at the same
time, while the weight is borne by the stronger
leg.
• Move the stronger leg forward, while the weight is
borne by the cane and the weak leg

11. WALKERS
• Walkers are mechanical devices for ambulatory
clients who need more support than a cane
provides.
• The standard type is made of polished Aluminum.
• It has four legs with rubber tips and plastic hand
grips.
• Many walkers have adjustable legs.

12. walkers

13. Walking With Walkers
• Move the walker ahead about 15 cm (6 in.) while
your body weight is borne by both legs.
• Then move the right foot up to the walker while
your body weight is borne by the left leg and both
arms.
• Next, move the left foot up to the right foot while
your body weight is borne by the right leg and
both arms.

14. CRUTCHES
• Crutches may be a temporary need for some
clients and a permanent one for others.
• The most frequently used kinds of crutches
are the Underarm Crutch, Or Axillary Crutch
with hand bars, and the Lofstrand Crutch,
which extends only to the forearm.
• In crutch walking, the client’s weight is
borne by the muscles of the shoulder girdle
and the upper extremities.

15. CRUTCHES

16. Measuring Clients for Crutches
• The nurse makes sure the shoulder rest of the
crutch is at least three finger widths, that is, 2.5 to
5 cm (1 to 2 in.), below the axilla.
• To determine the correct placement of the hand
bar:
1. The client stands upright and supports the body
weight by the hand grips of the crutches.
2. The nurse measures the angle of elbow flexion. It
should be about 30 degrees.

17. Crutch Gaits
• The crutch gait is the gait a person assumes
on crutches by alternating body weight on
one or both legs and the crutches.
• Five standard crutch gaits are the:
1. Four-point Gait
2. Three Point Gait
3. Two-point Gait
4. Swing-to Gait
5. Swing-through Gait

18. Four-point Gait
• This is the most elementary and safest gait,
providing at least three points of support at
all times, but it requires coordination.
• Clients can use it when walking in crowds
because it does not require much space.

19. Four-point Gait
The nurse asks the client to:
1. Move the right crutch ahead a suitable
distance, such as 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in.).
2. Move the left foot forward.
3. Move the left crutch forward.
4. Move the right foot forward.

20. Three point gait
• To use this gait, the client must be able to
bear the entire body weight on the
unaffected leg.
• The two crutches and the unaffected leg
bear weight alternately
• The nurse asks the client to
1.Move both crutches and the weaker leg
forward.
2. Move the stronger leg forward.

21. Two-point gait
• The nurse asks the client to:
1. Move the left crutch and the right foot
forward together.
2. Move the right crutch and the left foot
ahead together

22. Swing-to gait
• The swing gaits are used by clients with
paralysis of the legs and hips
1. Move both crutches ahead together.
2. Lift body weight by the arms and swing to
the crutches.

23. Swing-Through Gait
• The nurse asks the client to:
1. Move both crutches forward together
2. Lift body weight by the arms and swing
through and beyond the crutch