Wheelchair

A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations
where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are
handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing. Wheelchairs are used by people for
whom walking is difficult or impossible due to illness (physiological or physical), injury, or disability. People
with both sitting and walking disability often need to use a wheelbench.
 Walking frame

A walker or walking frame is a tool for disabled or elderly people who need additional support to maintain
balance or stability while walking. The British English common equivalent term for a walker is Zimmer
frame - from Zimmer Holdings, a major manufacturer of such devices and joint replacement parts.

The person walks with the frame surrounding their front and sides and their hands provide additional
support by holding on to the top of the sides of the frame. Traditionally, a walker is picked up and placed a
short distance ahead of the user. The user then walks to it and repeats the process. With the use of wheels and
glides, the user may push the walker ahead as opposed to picking it up. This makes for easier use of the
walker, as it does not require the user to use their arms to lift the walker. This is beneficial for those with
little arm strength.

A walker is a good tool for those who are recuperating from leg or back injuries. It is also commonly used by
persons having problems with walking or with mild balance problems.

Also related is a hemi-walker, a walker about half the size of a traditional walker which is intended for use by
persons whose dexterity is limited or non-existent in one hand or arm. These walkers are more stable than a
quad cane (a cane with four points that touch the ground, as opposed to one), but are not recommended as
highly as a traditional walker for those who can use it.
 Crutches
Crutches are mobility aids used to counter a mobility impairment or an injury that limits walking ability

Several different gait patterns are possible, and the user chooses which one to use depending on the reason
the crutches are needed. For example, a person with a non-weight bearing injury generally performs a
"swing-to" gait: lifting the affected leg, the user places both crutches in front of himself, and then swings his
uninjured leg to meet the crutches. Other gaits are used when both legs are equally affected by some
disability, or when the injured leg is partially weight bearing.

With underarm crutches, sometimes a towel or some kind of soft cover is needed to prevent or reduce under
arm injury. A condition known as crutch paralysis or crutch palsy can arise from pressure on nerves in the
armpit, or axilla. Specifically, "the brachial plexus in the axilla is often damaged from the pressure of a
crutch...In these cases the radial is the nerve most frequently implicated; the ulnar nerve suffers next in
frequency".
.
 knee scooter

A knee scooter or knee walker is a three or four-wheeled alternative to crutches or a traditional walker as an
ambulation aid. It is known by many other names, such as a knee walker, knee cruiser, knee caddy,
orthopedic scooter, or leg walker.

Over the years it has taken on many forms, from small-wheeled devices suitable for indoor use to larger
sturdier units capable of use outside on grass or paved surfaces. Today’s version is usually a lightweight,
foldable design that, with the knee flexed, supports the shin of the unusable limb. The opposite foot makes
contact with the floor or ground, providing propulsion.

The objective of the scooter is to create a safe, comfortable, and easy-to-maneuver alternative to the
traditional crutch. Prior to its introduction, those experiencing foot surgery, bunionectomies, gout, below the
knee amputations, diabetic ulcers and wounds, as well as foot sprains, orfractures had no choice but to limit
activity during rehabilitation. Their only options were crutches, a traditional walker, a wheelchair or bed
rest.

The scooter does have limitations that may make it unsuitable for some patients, such as those with leg
injuries above the knee. It cannot negotiate stairs, and is significantly heavier and more difficult to load into a
vehicle than crutches.

As knee walkers are often used while the user recovers after surgery, knee walkers are often rented for a
short period of time, usually about 4 weeks. More information can be found on the benefits of using a knee
walker for recovery
 Foot mouse

A foot mouse is a type of computer mouse that gives the users the ability to move the cursor and click the
mouse buttons with their feet.

It is primarily used by users with disabilities or with high-back or neck problems. It is also promoted as a
way to prevent such problems in the future and as a means to increase productivity by not having to move
one's hand between the keyboard and mouse.

Using a foot mouse is slower that a normal mouse (a hand mouse), since most people have less control over
precise movements with their feet and legs than with their hands. If the foot mouse is used together with a
keyboard, the cursor can be moved around while typing, so there is no time wasted for moving the hand
between the keyboard and the mouse. If a person cannot use a keyboard, a virtual keyboard on the screen
can be used to type text by clicking each character on the virtual keyboard. People who also have less control
over their foot and leg movement and are unable to operate a foot mouse can sometimes use a few switches
for setting the cursor in a certain direction.

If a foot mouse is used incorrectly for a long time, it can cause muscle cramp in the legs, and can have a
negative influence on lower back problems.
 Hearing Aid

Assistive technology or adaptive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and
rehabilitative devices for people and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. AT
promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to
accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of
interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

Likewise, disability advocates point out that technology is often created without regard to people with
disabilities, creating unnecessary barriers to hundreds of millions of people. Even the makers of AT
technologies will often still argue that universal design is preferable to the need for AT and that universal
design projects and concepts should be continuously expanded.
 R.L.E. 104
(Assistive Devices)

Roque Nico Ferrari C. Barcelo

BSN-IV Group-IB

Mrs. Asylla Cuadra, RN

Clinical Instructor