Interviewed a physical therapist at Darby Glen and observed several different mobility and PT devices. Asked several questions including problems witnessed when patients used certain devices, most common mobility issue addressed, and the function and effectiveness of various devices.
Following are notes taken addressing these questions:
- Roller walkers less safe because of four wheels (faster) and people don’t use brakes
- Normal walkers safer option
- Walking and sit/stand problems about equal in frequency
- Hemi walker for stroke patients (wide base)
- Quad cane (a lot of stairs use)
- Some don’t like walking close to walker
- But a TON of people don’t use brakes on walkers (rollator) (MOST COMMON PROBLEM)
- Slide board for out of bed (amputees a lot) (wooden most common, put pillow case for less friction)
- Stand lift takes a lot of shoulder strength
- Sometimes takes two people to roll someone to change Depends, etc.
- 80-90% normal walkers, some rollators
- People also don’t lock wheelchairs before getting up, some push back as they push up and fall backward since it rolls
- Platform walker better than Hemi (stability on both sides instead of one)
- Walkers with wheels (front or rollators) better than ones with all pegs. Tennis balls better than not (more fluid gait pattern)
- Bariatric walkers for wider (heavier patients)
- Patients “furniture walk” because they want to be independent and devices can be clunky and get in the way
- Some people scooch along with their feet in wheelchairs or use their arms, depends on preference
- Some patients might have trouble folding walkers
- A lot of knee and hip replacement patients
- Parallel bars good for helping learn to walk again (sturdy and adjustable)
- Devices there for just some stability to help them move on their own, some people use it too much as a crutch