Need to Know
Know what Weight Bearing the Doctor Allows
The doctor will decide how much weight the person you care for can place on their affected leg. In the case of a walker:
1. Partial weight bearing means 30-40% weight can be put on the affected leg.
2. Full weight bearing means all of the person’s weight can be put on their affected leg.
3. Weight bearing as tolerated means that a person can place as much weight on the affected leg, including full weight, as is comfortable.
Types of Walkers
There are two types of walkers, a pickup walker and a roller walker.
- The pickup walker has four solid legs, offers the most stability, and is the best choice when the person cannot place full weight on a leg. Some pickup walkers fold for easy storage. When using a folding walker make sure the legs click into place before use.
- Wheeled walkers have wheels on the front two legs (most common) or all four legs. Wheeled walkers work best for persons who need assistance but have trouble picking up the walker and moving it. You can place tennis balls on the back legs of the walker with two wheels so that movement of the walker is smooth and easy. Some wheeled walkers can fold for easy storage. When using a folding walker make sure the legs click into place before use.
Proper Fitting of a Walker
A walker is fitted correctly when the person steps inside the walker:
- The person’s elbow should bend comfortably, about 15 to 30 degrees, while holding on to the grips.
- When the person relaxes the arms at the side of their body, the top of the walker should line up with the crease on the inside of the wrist.
There are specially made wide walkers, designed for use by larger people or those with wide hips.
When a walker is fitted properly, the person will not feel stress on the shoulders or back as they move the walker in front of them. If a walker is set too high, it can make it uncomfortable to use the walker and increase the chance of a fall.
Watch How a Person Uses a Walker
When you care for someone who uses a walker, know what is the correct way to use it to move about.
- A person who uses a walker should not lean over the walker or walk behind it.
- The person should stand straight and step into the walker.
Knowing how to use a walker correctly will help you to watch the person you care for and help prevent injury or falls.