Week 2

Question 1

Why do we use gait aids?

Answer 1

1) Support/posture
2) Structural support (amputation)
3) Weakness
4) Balance (ex:cane) (increase in balance of support)

Question 2

True or false: Gait aids stay with the affected side.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

True or False: Assistive devices (such as a cane) stay with the affected side.

Answer 3

False

• Assistive device (cane) opposite affected side

Question 4

What is “amb”/ambulation?

Answer 4

walking

Question 5

What is gait training?

Answer 5

teaching walking

Question 6

What is the most stable gait aid?

Answer 6

2 wheeled walker

Question 7

When would you, and would not, use a 4 wheeled walker with a patient?

Answer 7

Would not use:
- grip strength issues
- hand/ROM issues
- weight bearing issues

When to use:
- faster to move around

Question 8

Fitting of ambulatory assistive devices

Answer 8

1) Elbows slightly bent (20 degrees), no locking first
2) Handles should be at wrist creases

Question 9

Benefits of the reverse walker? When would one use this device?

Answer 9

1) Upright posture
2) Access to environment

–> use with younger patients who will be using a walker long term, don’t need as much stability

Question 10

Benefits of the knee walker?

Answer 10

Takes load off the ankles

Question 11

Benefits of the gutter walker?

Answer 11

Takes the load off the wrist and hand

Question 12

Why use crutches? Why not use crutches?

Answer 12

Use:
Faster to get around

Not use:
- Requires upper body strength
- Takes more coordination than a walker

Question 13

Why use forearm crutches? Why not?

Answer 13

Use:
–> access to environment

Not:
–> Requires more arm strength/coordination

Question 14

Why use a cane?

Answer 14

Balance/posture

Question 15

Fitting for a cane?

Answer 15

1)Goes up to wrist crease
2)Close to body

Question 16

NWB, PWB, WBAT meanings

Answer 16

NWB - no weight bearing

PWB - partial weight bearing
–> 20 - 50%

WBAT - weight bearing as tolerated
–> no structural problem as much weight as they can take

–> On NWB or PWB, patient can only use a 2 wheel walker or crutches for ambulation

Question 17

True or false: You can load more on a walker as opposed to a cane

Answer 17

True

Question 18

2 point gait pattern

Answer 18

The crutches and the involved leg are one point (move together) and the uninvolved leg is the other point. (WBAT or PWB)

Question 19

3 point gait pattern

Answer 19

involves three points contact with:
1) the floor the crutches serve as one point (move separate),
2) the involved leg as the second point,
3) the uninvolved leg as the third point.

Gait pattern is used when one side lower extremity (LE) is unable to bear weight.

Question 20

4 point gait pattern

Answer 20

used when there’s lack of coordination, poor balance and muscle weakness in both LE.

Question 21

How to progress gait pattern

Answer 21

• Start with quiet/ no distractions to loud and lots of obstacles
• 3 point to 2 point
• 2 devices to 1 device to no device
• no obstacles to obstacles, doorways, stairs

Question 22

What is guarding?

Answer 22

standing behind patient and to affected side

stay close so they can’t build momentum

Question 23

Stair training rules

Answer 23

Ascending
- up with the good leg first
- stay behind patient

Descending
- down with the bad leg and assistive device first
- stand in front of patient