Using A Walker Correctly

Walkers seem to become a part of many of our lives as the years creep forward. Helping those infirmed, injured, or to help us balance and prevent falls, a walker can feel like a 5th appendage and become our best friend in no time. But, while these assistive devices are there to help us, using them the wrong way can create even more pains and problems and lead to falls. The importance of using them correctly cannot be stressed enough.

There are several types of walkers. Only your medical provider, physical or occupational therapist can decide what is best for your needs. The Mayo Clinic offers some practical advice using walkers and explains their different types as:

• “Standard walker. This walker has four nonskid, rubber-tipped legs to provide stability. You must pick it up to move.
• Two-wheel walker. This walker, which has wheels on the two front legs, is helpful if you need some, but not constant, weight-bearing help.
• Three-wheel walker. This walker provides balance support like a four-wheel walker, but it is lighter weight and more maneuverable.
• Four-wheel walker. This walker is for people who don’t need to lean on the walker for balance.
• Knee walker. This walker is similar to a foot-propelled scooter, but it has a platform for resting your knee.”

Remember, a walker is classified as an assistive device. It’s not meant to replace your legs by any means. It is to assist you with balance and support while you walk, hence the name. Walkers have the advantage over crutches or canes because they balance you evenly on both sides. The result is that you can walk more normally without having to coordinate hand and leg movements and interchanges.

While these are some general tips and strategies to use a walker, they do not take the place of a physical or occupational therapist. These professionals are well-versed in assistive devices and will assess your needs and goals with a walker, recommend the right type for you, and teach you the proper usage. They will also demonstrate how to get up and down from a chair or toilet, go up steps or curbs, make turns, and so much more. Let’s get started with some basics:

• Height should be where there is a slight bend in your arm. Too low using straight arms will cause you to lean forward, and that leads to back problems. Too high, and your elbows bend too much, lessening the support and causing future elbow pain and possible shoulder problems.
• Stand with your feet in between the back legs of your walker (where the tennis balls are placed sometimes). Your body should not be touching the front support bars, nor should you be behind the walker leaning forward with the walker. You should be able to stand with your back erect (or as upright as your body permits) with arms on the handles on each side.
• If you hear your walker legs scraping or squeaking on the floor, that’s a sure sign that you are pushing too hard or putting too much of your weight on the walker. If the walker gets harder to push, that’s another clue that too much of your weight is on the walker.
• If your hands become sore from grasping the handles, first, you may be gripping too tightly or putting too much of your weight on your hands. Sometimes, we also get sweaty palms, and holding on can be a challenge. There are wrap-around cushioned pads available that Velcro onto each handle, making it a more comfortable grip. Make sure they are tightly fastened, so they don’t slip around.
• If you have a walker with front wheels, it is designed to move smoothly and continuously with a more natural walking pattern. You do not need to pick it up and put it down, as you would with a wheel-less device. If you have a standard walker – no wheels – do not slide the unit forward. Please pick it up and place it the equivalent of one step forward each time.
• Don’t try to carry things while using a walker. That is just an accident waiting to happen. There are various baskets, drink holders, pouches, and trays available that can be attached for this purpose.
• Tennis balls are sometimes placed on the feet of the walker’s legs. It is a personal choice, but it does make for quieter movements, can protect floors and carpets, and sometimes makes the glide smoother. There are tennis balls made specifically for walkers, but the regular ones will do in a pinch.

Once again, be sure to get professional advice on which device is the best choice for you and how to use it properly. After all, since this will now be either a permanent fixture in our lives or even a temporary one, why not do it right? The therapists at NIT are ready to evaluate your specific needs and goals and get you started with the right equipment and methods.