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walker
- Device to support ambulation in patients with gait &/or balance disorders
Advantages:
- It provides a wider/more stable base of support than a cane.
- patients with Parkinson's disease often have a tendency to fall backwards & do best with front wheel walkers [3,4]
- 4 wheel walkers also decrease risk of falling due to fenistation
- GRS11 states 4 wheeled walker increases stability & promotes a forward position that would prevent a backward fall [3]
- standard walkers (without wheels) tend to increase freezing & may increase risk of backward fall when lifted [3]
Disadvantages:
1) not useful for stairs
2) difficulty maneuvering through doors, congested areas
3) loss of normal arm swing
4) poor posture with abnormal flexion of the back while walking
5) all walkers decrease gait speed
6) walkers do not improve freezing in Parkinson's disease [3]
7) standard walkers (without wheels) tend to increase freezing & may increase risk of backward fall when lifted [3]
Specific
front wheel walker (FWW)
merry walker
pick-up walker; stationary walker (PUW)
rollator (4 wheel walker)
General
ambulatory device
References
- Genova A. In: Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine &
Board Review, Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 12-15, 2001
- Van Hook FW, Demonbreun D, Weiss BD.
Ambulatory devices for chronic gait disorders in the elderly.
Am Fam Physician. 2003 Apr 15;67(8):1717-24. Review.
PMID: 12725450
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11)
Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2022
- Constantinescu R, Leonard C, Deeley C, Kurlan R.
Assistive devices for gait in Parkinson's disease.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2007 Apr;13(3):133-8. Review.
PMID: 16914362
- Cubo E, Moore CG, Leurgans S, Goetz CG.
Wheeled and standard walkers in Parkinson's disease patients
with gait freezing.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2003 Oct;10(1):9-14.
PMID: 14499200