ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Question 1

indications for AD

Answer 1

• to compensate for impaired balance, dec strength, alteration in coordinated movements, pain during WB on one or both extremities, absence of an LE, or altered stability
• improve functional mobility
• enhance body functions
• assist c fx healing

Question 2

ADs can:

Answer 2

• improve an individual’s stability by expanding the BOS
• reduce WB on one or both LE
• permit mobility

Question 3

Pre-ambulatory ADs include

Answer 3

• tilt tables
• parallel bar
• supported suspension ambulatory aid

Question 4

AD used to check pt’s standing and ambulation balance and tolerance

Answer 4

parallel bars

Question 5

AD that provides 100% stability

Answer 5

parallel bars

Question 6

AD that provides 75% stability

Answer 6

walkers

Question 7

AD with the least stability

Answer 7

canes (25%)

Question 8

AD that provides 50% stability

Answer 8

crutches

Question 9

how to measure parallel bars height?

Answer 9

• bar at the level of the greater trochanters/wrist crease/ulnar styloid process
• each bar should provide 20-30 degrees of elbow flexion
• 2-4 inches of space between the bars and each hip

Question 10

used when max pt stability and support are required

Answer 10

walkers

Question 11

types of walkers

Answer 11

• child
• bariatric
• reciprocal
• stairclimbing
• wheeled
• folding
• hemiwalker

Question 12

give 1 disadvantage of walkers

Answer 12

• difficult to store/transport
• difficult or impossible to use on stairs
• reduces ambulation speed
• may be difficult to perform a normal gait pattern
• can be difficult to maneuver in narrow/crowded spaces

Question 13

how to measure appropriate walker height in supine

Answer 13

tape measure from pt’s greater trochanter to the heel c shoes on, c knee and hip straight

Question 14

how to measure appropriate walker height in standing

Answer 14

height of the hand grip is at the level of the greater trochanters/wrist crease/ulnar styloid process

Question 15

used for pts who need less stability/support than is provided by parallel bars or walkers

Answer 15

axillary crutches

Question 16

disadvantages of axillary crutches

Answer 16

• less stable than walkers
• can cause injury to axillary vessels & nerves if used or measured improperly
• require good standing balance
• elderly pts may feel insecure c them
• functional strength of the UE and trunk muscles is required

Question 17

how to measure axillary crutch height

Answer 17

• 77% of pt’s height
• pt’s height minus 16 inches
• in supine: anterior axillary fold to a point ~ 6-8 inches lateral to the heel
• in sitting: (B) UE abducted to 90 degrees, 1 elbow flexed & 1 extended, measure from olecranon of the flexed elbow to tip of middle finger of the opposite extremity

Question 18

Other names for forearm crutches

Answer 18

lofstrand/canadian crutches

Question 19

when are forearm crutches. used

Answer 19

when stability and support of an axillary crutch is not required but still needs more stability and support that can be provided by a cane

Question 20

advantage of forearm crutches vs axillary crutches

Answer 20

• eliminate the danger of injury to axillary vessels
• more functional on stairs and in narrow, confined spaces

Question 21

nerve that can be injured from axillary crutches

Answer 21

radial nerve

Question 22

disadvantage of forearm crutches

Answer 22

• provide less stability and support than axillary crutches, walkers, or parallel bars
• require functional standing balance and functional upper body & UE strength for many gait patterns
• forearm cuff can make it difficult to remove the AD
• elderly pts may feel insecure with them

Question 23

forearm cuff should be located approximately ___ distal to the _____ when the pt grasps the hand piece

Answer 23

1-1.5 inches; olecranon process

Question 24

indication for crutches c platform attachment

Answer 24

• pts who are unable to bear weight through their wrists and hands
• pts c severe wrist/finger deformities which make grasping the handpiece of a crutch difficult
• elbow amputees
• pts who are unable to extend one or both elbows

Question 25

disadvantages of platform attachment

Answer 25

- pt loses the use of the triceps to elevate & maintain the body during the swing phase - another person may need to apply/remove them - less effective on stairs

Question 26

each hand piece/platform attachment should be adjusted to provide _____

Answer 26

90 degrees of elbow flexion

Question 27

these are used to compensate for impaired balance or to improve stability and are more functional on stairs and in narrow, confined spaces; provides the least stability

Answer 27

canes

Question 28

types of canes

Answer 28

- J - T -pistol grip - offset shaft - thee/four-legged - walk cane

Question 29

canes provide limited support because of?

Answer 29

its small base of support compared to other assistive devices

Question 30

how to measure cane height in supine

Answer 30

tape measure from pt's greater trochanter to the heel c the hip and knee straight

Question 31

ambulation patterns for NWB pts

Answer 31

three-point

Question 32

ambulation pattern wherein AD and opposite foot advance alternately

Answer 32

four-point

Question 33

pattern wherein AD and opposite foot advance simultaneously

Answer 33

two-point

Question 34

pattern wherein AD and NWB extremity advance simultaneously, then the FWB extremity steps through/to the level of the AD

Answer 34

three-point

Question 35

AS and PWB LE advance simultaneously, then the FWB LE steps through the aids

Answer 35

three-one-point

Question 36

pattern wherein only 1 AD is used: affected LE -> non-affected LE -> singe AD

Answer 36

modified four-point

Question 37

pattern wherein only 1 AD is used: unaffected LE -> AD & affected UE

Answer 37

modified two-point