Using a walker
Your doctor might recommend a walker if you’re at risk of falling or if you have an injury or disability. A walker can provide a wider base of support to help you balance. But how do you choose from all the available types of walkers? The right walker will keep you upright and make it easier for you to get around. A wrong type of walker can be difficult to use, cause back pain or, worse, put you at a greater risk of falling.
Take the time to learn the differences between the two common types of walkers, how to fit your walker and how to use it. Also consult your doctor or a physical therapist for help with your walker.
Types of walkers
The most common types of walkers include the two-wheel and four-wheel walkers. Both provide stability if you have some difficulty balancing or if you’re at risk of falling.
Two-wheel walkers are best if you need to place any weight on your walker as you move. The legs without wheels prevent the walker from rolling away from you. Two-wheel walkers can fold up to fit in your car.
If you don’t need to lean on your walker for balance, you might be able to walk faster with a four-wheel walker. Four-wheel walkers have brakes, which you can use if you’re walking down an incline.
Fitting your walker
Adjust your walker so that it fits your arms comfortably. To tell if your walker is the correct height, step inside your walker and:
Check your elbow bend. Place your hands on the grips. Your elbow should bend at a comfortable angle — about 30 degrees.
Check your wrist height. Relax your arms at your sides. The top of your walker should line up with the crease on the inside of your wrist.
A properly fitted walker reduces the stress on your shoulders and back as you move the walker in front of you.
Taking your first step
If you have a leg injury or disability, begin moving with your walker by pushing your walker forward. Keep your back upright. Next, place one leg inside the walker. Keep your walker still as you step in. Now, step forward with your other leg into the walker. The walker remains still. Repeat the process by moving your walker forward. As you continue using your walker, this three-step process becomes smoother.
If you use your walker for balance, but you don’t have an injury or disability that affects your legs, you can simply walk as you normally would, guiding your walker in front of you. Stand inside, not behind, your walker as you push it.
Don’t lean over your walker
Pushing your walker out too far in front of you is a common mistake. Always step into your walker, rather than walking behind it, so you’ll stay upright as you move. Another common mistake is to set your walker at too great a height. Both of these errors can make using your walker less comfortable and make it more likely that you’ll fall.
Safety Tips
- Wear sturdy, low-heeled shoes with nonskid soles to help prevent falls.
- Avoid wet floors and sidewalks that are slippery.
- Remove throw rugs from your path and watch for electrical and telephone cords that may cause falls.
- Avoid revolving doors and escalators.
- Slow down and take extra time to stay safe.