Equipment Prescription

Question 1

What considerations need to be made when prescribing equipment for a child?

Answer 1

• Purpose
• Time frame
• Environment
• Cost and funding

Question 2

What are the three main types of equipment that physiotherapists are involved with?

Answer 2

• Seating (with OT)
• Standing frames
• Walking aids

Question 3

What do you need to consider when prescribing temporary and permanent equipment?

Answer 3

Temporary: consider what particular skill you want to assist development of, or what surgical intervention has been completed.
Permanent: consider growth factors and adaptability of equipment for different purposes.

Question 4

What do you need to consider about the environment in which the equipment will be used?

Answer 4

• Where will it be used - home, childcare, school
• Can be be accommodated within the setting or are modifications required
• Is it transportable and adaptable to needs in different environments, or is more than one piece of equipment required.

Question 5

What kinds of seating are available?

Answer 5

• Corner chairs
• Tumbleform moulded seats
• High chair
• Strollers
• Powered and manual wheelchairs

Question 6

What are the possible ICF goals when using a standing frame?

Answer 6

• Body structure and function: stretch of hips, knees and ankles, weight bearing through legs, head control, encouraging extension
• Activity and participation: positioning for play, school work and cooking

Question 7

What are the purposes of walking aids?

Answer 7

• Progression of independent walking
• Mobility at home, school and community
• Functional gait training
• Exercise for fitness and cardiorespiratory function
• Strengthening and maintain muscle and joint range
• Part of daily positioning program

Question 8

What is a Kaye walker?

Answer 8

• Posterior walker
• Child holds handles
• Nil strap

Question 9

What is a Mulholland walker?

Answer 9

• Posterior support
• Weight-relieving
• Dynamic support throughout the rise and fall of the pelvis during ambulation

Question 10

What is a Hart walker?

Answer 10

• An orthotic brace supports the child’s weight with straps at the chest and pelvis.
• Leg guides control movement at the hip, knee and ankle joints.
• A four-wheeled frame supports the brace allowing the child to move hands-free.
• Swivel wheels allow for a high level of manoeuvrability.
• Special boots provide a safe base for standing and walking.

Question 11

What is a Mey walker?

Answer 11

• Anterior support
• Dynamic saddle seat
• Trunk support
• Handle bar in front

Question 12

What considerations need to be made when prescribing a walker?

Answer 12

• Level of support required for walking (hands free, gutters for arm support, weight shift capacity)
• Posterior or anterior walker
• Getting child in and out of walker (OHS)