Introduction to Assistive Devices

Question 1

Any item, piece of equipment or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, customized that is used to improve functional capacities of an individual with disabilities

Answer 1

Public Law 100-407 AT

Question 2

External devices that are designed, made, or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task

Answer 2

Assistive Device

Question 3

Common Types of Assistive Devices

Answer 3

Mobility Devices
Positioning Devices
Orthosis, Prosthetics, and Orthopedic shoes

Question 4

What are examples of mobility devices?

Answer 4

Tricycles
Wheelchairs
Walkers
Canes

Question 5

Causes that requiring patients to use assistive devices:

Answer 5

Compensation
Improve functional mobility
Enhance body functions
Assist fracture healing

Question 6

What do assistive devices compensate for?

Answer 6

Impaired balance
Decreased strength
Altered coordination
Pain during WB
Absence of extremity
Altered stability

Question 7

In what phase of the gait cycle is the GMax used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 7

Initial contact to foot flat
Stabilize Limb

Question 8

In what phase of the gait cycle is GMed/GMin used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 8

Terminal swing to pre-swing
Stabilize the pelvis in the frontal plane

Question 9

In what phase of the gait cycle are the hip flexors/adductors used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 9

Pre-swing to Midswing
Accelerates the limb

Question 10

In what phase of the gait cycle are the quadriceps used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 10

Loading Response
Absorb shock, eccentric contraction

Question 11

In what phase of the gait cycle are the hamstrings used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 11

Midswing to Initial contact
Decelerate the limb

Question 12

In what phase of the gait cycle is the tibialis anterior used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 12

Initial contact to mid-stance and pre-swing to initial contact
Absorb shock, elevate foot

Question 13

In what phase of the gait cycle are the gastrocsoleus used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 13

Mid-stance, terminal stance to pre-swing
Knee stability at terminal stance, push off

Question 14

In what phase of the gait cycle is the erector spinae used? What is its function in that phase?

Answer 14

Initial contact
Stabilize trunk

Question 15

What are the major muscle groups used in NWB ambulation?

Answer 15

Upper trunk
Lower trunk
Upper extremity
WB lower extremity

Question 16

What are the muscles under the upper trunk group for NWB ambulation?

Answer 16

Scapular depressors, scapular stabilizers

Question 17

What are the muscles under the lower trunk group for NWB ambulation?

Answer 17

trunk extensors and trunk flexors

Question 18

What are the muscles under the upper extremity group for NWB ambulation?

Answer 18

shoulder depressors, shoulder extensors and flexors, elbow extensors, finger flexors

Question 19

What are the muscles under the WB lower extremity group for WB ambulation?

Answer 19

hip abductors, hip extensors, knee flexors, knee extensors, ankle dorsiflexors, and plantar flexors

Question 20

There are no restrictions of weight-bearing and 100% of the BW can be borne on the LE.

Answer 20

Full weight-bearing (FWB)

Question 21

No weight is borne in the involved limb and foot/toes make no contact with the ground.

Answer 21

Non weight-bearing (NWB)

Question 22

Only a portion of the weight can be borne on the affected extremity and presented as percentage of the BW.

Answer 22

Partial weight-bearing (PWB)

Question 23

Only toes of the affected limb have contact with the ground

Answer 23

Toe-touch weight-bearing (TTWB)

Question 24

Weight-bearing is limited by the patient’s tolerance of weight borne on an extremity?

Answer 24

Weight-bearing as tolerated (WBAT)

Question 25

Categories of assistive devices ranked from highest to lowest in terms support magnitude.

Answer 25

Walkers Bilateral crutches Single crutch Bilateral canes Quad canes Hemi cane Single cane

Question 26

Used when maximal support and stability is required

Answer 26

Walkers

Question 27

Type of walkers include

Answer 27

Standard Child Reciprocal Bariatric Stair-climbing Wheeled Folding One-handed

Question 28

What are the advantages of using walkers?

Answer 28

Wide BOS (provides anterior and bilateral lateral support) Provides high level of stability Provides sense of security (especially to the older population)

Question 29

What are the disadvantages of using walkers?

Answer 29

May be difficult to store and transport Difficult to use on stairs Difficult to perform normal gait pattern Can be difficult to use in narrow spaces

Question 30

What are the advantages of using axillary crutches?

Answer 30

Enhances UE lateral stability Allows UE to transfer body weight to the floor Allows functional ambulation while maintaining WB restrictions status

Question 31

What are the disadvantages of using axillary crutches?

Answer 31

Less stable due to narrower BOS Requires good standing balance Provides less security to pts (especially to older population) Adequate strength in the upper limbs is required

Question 32

What are the advantages of using forearm crutches?

Answer 32

Easy to store and transport Eliminates the danger of injury More functional on stairs and narrower spaces.

Question 33

What are the disadvantages of using forearm crutches?

Answer 33

Less stable than axillary crutches Requires functional standing balance Requires good UE strength for many gait patterns Cuffs may irritate the pts wrists

Question 34

What are the advantages of using platform attachments?

Answer 34

Allows transfer of weight through forearm to assistive device

Question 35

What are the disadvantages of using platform attachments?

Answer 35

Pt loses the use of triceps to elevate and maintain the body during swing phase Another person may be needed to apply/remove it. Sometimes is difficult to attach Less effective on stairs

Question 36

Platform attachment are aka

Answer 36

Forearm rests

Question 37

Platform attachments are used by pts who _____

Answer 37

are unable to bear weight on hands and wrists have severe hand deformities who have below elbow amputation are unable to extend their elbows

Question 38

What are the advantages of using canes?

Answer 38

Easy to store and transport Quickly adjustable

Question 39

What are the disadvantages of using canes?

Answer 39

Limited support due to small BOS