One of the most widespread medical devices is undoubtedly the walker, a tool that essentially allows you to maintain adequate balance and stability when walking.
An object that first appeared in the 1950s in England,taking this name precisely because of its characteristic of helping the people who resort to it to walk.Variants with wheels more similar to current walkers were then developed, mainly in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.
In fact, a walker consists of a frame approximately as high as the hips of the person using it, with a depth of approximately 30 cm,all measures, however, adjustable in the most modern tools, to promote greater comfort for the patient, who walks with his pelvis inside the area of the walker, resting his weight on his arms and on it,which therefore provides him with support in walking.
It is important that after each movement of the walker all its 4 legs rest correctly on the ground,to prevent the patient from becoming unbalanced and resulting in a disastrous fall.
The two front legs of the walker can be with fixed feet or equipped with wheels, depending on the function of the walker and the degree of autonomy of the patient using the device.
In general,a modern walker is made of aluminium,material that makes it particularly resistant but also light.
Let's now look at the main types of walker currently on the market and what are the main features to take into consideration when choosing this device.
Who should use the walker? Walkers forelderly and disabled people
There are mainly two types of people who need the use of walking aids.
We are mainly talking about elderly people, no longer able to move independently on their own legs,who are no longer able to bear the weight.
There really are different models of walker for the elderly depending on the degree of independence that the individual retains.
But not only that.The walker is a device that decisively supports people even with severe forms of disability, affected by particular pathologies, or healthy people who however have yet to fully recover from a surgery,which still prevents them from walking correctly and independently.
The rigid structure walkers, with feet without wheels, are intended for users who still have a good autonomy of movement,and who only need support between one step and another.
In case of difficulty in moving the walker forward every time, there are models with wheels, which do not require the walker to be lifted,and which are therefore suitable for those people who no longer have particular strength in the upper limbs.
Where should the walker be used? Outdoor and indoor walkers
There are walkers more suitable for use at home and closed environments and others suitable for use outdoors.
The choiceof one type compared to another also depends a lot on the type of life led by the person who uses it. In the case of a sedentary lifestyle, it is better to use an indoor walker, otherwise it is better to opt for an outdoor one.
The differences between the two types are many. Firstly the wheels.Indoor walkers usually have small, swivel wheels, designed to slide on smooth surfaces and change direction easily, to get around tight spaces.
A good solution can be represented by a walker with two internal wheels.
On the contrary,the outdoor walkers instead require larger wheels that compensate for the unevenness of the ground, as could be the case of a 4-wheeled walker,with 2 front swivel wheels and 2 rear wheels with brake and non-slip rubbers.
Another important distinction between home walkers and outdoor walkers is represented by the brakes.In the indoor models, anti-slip rubber pads on the tips are sufficient and present in all models.
Outdoor walkers, on the other hand, are often equipped with manual brakes that can be operated at the handle level, designed to tackle surfaces even uphill and downhill.
Lightweight walkers,foldable and transportable
In addition to the distinction of internal or external models, there are several other variants of walkers that can be taken into consideration.
In particular, with regard to external walkers, it is necessary to take into consideration whether they are foldable and transportable,as well as particularly light.
There are also models of axillary walkers, with sub-axillary supports that further remove fatigue and weight from the patient's arms, foldable and easily transportable, equipped with wheels and brakes, particularly used in the rehabilitation field,on patients who have suffered major leg trauma.
Or again, walkers with seat, which especially allow the elderly to stop and rest after having walked for a while, to be used preferably outdoors given that at home usually, for example,an elderly person makes only short journeys from the armchair to the bed.The seat is typically ergonomic, and this type of walker can also be used for rehabilitation purposes, as it allows an immediate break during long therapy sessions.
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