ATENEO DE NAGA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NURSING
Ateneo Avenue, Naga City 4400
S/Y 2020-2021

Situations or scenarios for the use of crutches, walkers and canes.

Crutches are a type of Walking Aids that serve to increase the size of an individual’s Base of
support. It transfers weight from the legs to the upper body and is often used by people who
cannot use their legs to support their weight (i.e., short-term injuries to lifelong disabilities)
The use of crutches may be indicated if a patient:

 Has lost the use of a limb (it is either injured or amputated).

 Is having problems with Balance and impaired strength.
Single canes:
Standard canes: This can also be called a straight cane and it is generally made of wood or
aluminum. They are lightweight and inexpensive. The length of the wooden standard canes
must be custom fitted to the specific patient while the aluminum standard cane has pins for
length adjustment so there is no need for custom fitting. These standard canes are useful for
patients that need just an additional point of contact with the floor for balance with little or no
weight bearing needed, therefore, increasing the base of support. This cane can be used for
patients with mild sensory or coordination problems found in visual, auditory, vestibular,
peripheral proprioceptive, or central cerebellar disease
Offset canes: These canes are usually made from aluminum and the lengths are also adjustable
with no need for custom fittings. These canes allow for the patient's weight to be displaced
over the shaft of the cane. This cane provides more stability and can be used for occasional
weight bearing. The type of patients in need of this cane are those with painful gait disorders
like that of mild to moderate antalgic gait gotten from hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Multiple-legged canes:
Quadripod (quad) cane: This is a four-legged cane usually made of aluminium. This cane
permits more weight bearing, increases base of support and provides more stability for the
patient. It can also stand by itself freeing the patient to use his or her hands. The only
disadvantage is that all four legs of the cane must be in contact with the floor during gait to
provide stability which hinders fast gait. It is also not suitable for stair climbing. It can be
prescribed for hemiplegic patients or patients with moderate to severe antalgic gait from
osteoarthritis.
ATENEO DE NAGA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Ateneo Avenue, Naga City 4400
S/Y 2020-2021

Hemi walker: This is also known as a walk cane. It is made of aluminum and has a vertical
component with a handle and two legs, and another component with two additional legs
angled away from the patient. This cane provides more broad based support than the other
canes. It is used by patients requiring continuous weight bearing through one upper extremity
like stroke patients with hemiparesis who have moderate to severe lower extremity
disability.

A walker is a walking aid that has four points of contact with the ground and usually has three
sides with the side closest to the patient being open. It provides a wider base of support than a
walking stick and so is used more to stabilize patients with poor balance and mobility. Having
a caregiver and being unable to walk more than one meter per second has been significantly
associated with walking frame use. Paradoxically, walker or frame use has been associated with
an increased risk of falls in both the community-dwellers and those who live in residential care.
Using a walker can also increase metabolic and musculoskeletal demands so prescription and
education is key to helping the user maintain their balance, minimize their falls risk and
optimize their activity levels. There is no one walker that should be used. Walker choice is
dependent on what activities the user will use it for, where the walker will be used, how
much support the user requires and the user's confidence with a walker.