What is a walker?

  Walking aids (walking aids): refers to aids to support the body’s weight, balance and walking tools, can also be called walkers. The use of walking aids increases the contact area between the human body and the ground when standing, and the larger the contact area, the more stable the human body is when the center of gravity is in a certain position. Therefore, the use of a walker can play a good role in replacing the weakened muscles of the affected limbs or the weakness of both lower limbs that cannot support weight well after hemiplegia or paraplegia, as well as the limbs or joints that cannot bear weight due to surgery and other reasons. According to the structure and function, there are three types of walkers: non-powered walkers, functional electrical stimulation walkers and powered walkers. In daily life, the use of non-powered walkers is common, and they can be divided into staff walkers (axillary crutches, hand crutches, etc.) and walking frames. Staff walkers such as axillary crutches, hand crutches, etc. are generally used for people with relatively good upper limb function and hand grip strength, but moderate lower limb dysfunction, such as polio, reduced weight-bearing capacity and uncoordination due to bone and joint injury in one limb. Compared with axillary crutches or canes, walking frames have a larger support area and therefore better stability, and are therefore more suitable for people and patients with static balance (standing) and dynamic balance (walking) disorders, such as the elderly and post-operative orthopedic patients (patients who get up early and get out of bed after hip and knee replacement).