Canes and walkers, also known as mobility aids, are not merely devices for the infirm. They also offer support for people with temporary or permanent injuries of the torso or legs, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. National Center for Health Statistics in 1997 estimated that 7.4 million people in the United States used mobility devices, with the U.S. Census Bureau reporting that the number increased to 10 million in 2010.
Cane Use
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the use of a cane "If you have a small problem with balance or instability." The group also suggests a cane for injuries to a leg or the trunk. Proper cane use involves first selecting an appropriate size. The cane top must "reach to the crease in your wrist when you stand up straight," according to the academy. Proper positioning is also vital because effective cane use involves the hand opposite the weak knee or leg with a slight bend in the elbow.
Walker Use
Walkers are commonly prescribed for use after leg or hip surgery or after hip joint replacement surgery. The AAOS states that walkers provide needed aid for people who "Need more help with balance and walking than you can get with crutches or a cane." Walkers include models with either four stationary prongs or two stationary prongs and two wheels. Walkers also assist in moving a person from a seated position to a standing one for walking.
Rehabilitation
Canes and walkers might be required in rehabilitation sessions to protect the patient from falls as the body becomes fatigued from exercise. The I-Walker, a walker created by researchers working at the Technical University of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, offers a walker for patients in rehabilitation programs. The walker has a computer that comprehends simple voice directions and can also be programmed with instructions for exercise and movement, according to the Interdisciplinary Journal of Rehabilitation.
Voiding Potential Damage
People with temporary or permanent damage to balance centers can carry a cane or use a walker as a general protection against falling. Use for this purpose cannot follow the same procedures as use of a cane or walker for support. Walking with a cane for this protective purpose means that the cane floats above the walking surface, but is near the ground and in position to be used at any given moment. A walker can be used in the same manner, but its use closely models the technique used when the walker is needed for support. The patient picks up and places the walker or rolls the unit into place with each step.
