walker
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Introduction
- Device to support ambulation in patients with gait &/or balance disorders
Advantages
- It provides a wider/more stable base of support than a cane.
- patients with Parkinson's disease often have a tendency to fall backwards & do best with front wheel walkers[3][4]
- 4 wheel walkers also decrease risk of falling due to fenistation
- GRS11 states 4 wheeled walker increases stability & promotes a forward position that would prevent a backward fall[3]
- standard walkers (without wheels) tend to increase freezing & may increase risk of backward fall when lifted[3]
Disadvantages
- not useful for stairs
- difficulty maneuvering through doors, congested areas
- loss of normal arm swing
- poor posture with abnormal flexion of the back while walking
- all walkers decrease gait speed
- walkers do not improve freezing in Parkinson's disease[3]
- standard walkers (without wheels) tend to increase freezing & may increase risk of backward fall when lifted[3]
More general terms
More specific terms
- front wheel walker (FWW)
- merry walker
- pick-up walker; stationary walker (PUW)
- rollator (4 wheel walker)
References
- ↑ Genova A. In: Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine & Board Review, Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 12-15, 2001
- ↑ Van Hook FW, Demonbreun D, Weiss BD. Ambulatory devices for chronic gait disorders in the elderly. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Apr 15;67(8):1717-24. Review. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12725450
- ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11) Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2022
- ↑ Jump up to: 4.0 4.1 Constantinescu R, Leonard C, Deeley C, Kurlan R. Assistive devices for gait in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2007 Apr;13(3):133-8. Review. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16914362
Cubo E, Moore CG, Leurgans S, Goetz CG. Wheeled and standard walkers in Parkinson's disease patients with gait freezing. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2003 Oct;10(1):9-14. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14499200