The best walking aid for back pain is vital for seniors as they suffer more back pain due to deterioration in bones, muscles and joints that come as a result of ageing.
However, young adults can also suffer from back pain which may affect their proper ambulation, making it essential to get a mobility aid. It is proven that back problems can cause balance issues, making it necessary to get a walking aid for back pain.
Whether you are a young adult or a senior with back pain, we have reviewed some of the best mobility aid to consider when you want to buy one.
Why do you need a walking aid for back pain?
Degeneration of the lumbar arising from ageing or through accident presses the nerve at the lower back (sciatica nerve), leading to the thigh and legs. This can cause significant pain, weakness, and numbing and ultimately lead to balance issues that can result in a terrible fall. Therefore, it is vital to get support to prevent falls pending your recovery, while seniors that get theirs from ageing may need this support permanently.
Exercising: Little exercises like walking around can help with faster back pain recovery, making it vital to get a walking aid for support while dealing with back pain.
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What is the best mobility aid for back problems?
There are many walking aids to help your mobility if you have back pain that impacts your ambulation. They include:
- Crutches
- Transport chair
- Canes
- Walkers
- Rollators
- Wheelchairs
Not all walking aids are suitable for back pain. Back pain primarily causes balance issues; therefore, any walking assistance that requires the patient to have a good balance before usage is not a suitable option for back pain.
Therefore, avoiding walking aids like knee scooters and hands-free walkers is vital. Both require that the user have a good balance to use them safely, which is not a good option if you are dealing with back pain.
Factor to consider when selecting a walking aid for back problems.
The severity of the back pain
The mobility aid you go for depends mainly on the severity of the back pain. Many seniors go around with a cane, while some employ walkers or rollators. The more severe the back problem is, the type of walking aid you use.
For less severe back pain and balance issue, canes and forearm crutches are enough to support and help you move around. However, more severe back pains require walkers, rollators and sometimes a transport wheelchair.
Transport chairs and wheelchairs are employed when the back pain is so severe that the patient cannot stand or take a simple step alone.
Top 8 Best Walking/Mobility Aid for Back Pain: Forearm Crutches, Canes and Rollator Walkers
#1. Drive Medical RTL10266-T Nitro DLX Foldable Rollator Walker
This is a tall rollator walker with an adjustable height feature for the handgrip to suit different heights of users. It is recommended for tall users, and its handgrip adjusts between 36 to 41 inches.
The rollator is solid and durable, with a weight limit of 300 pounds. The frame is made with aluminium, making it easily combine strength and weigh lightly.
With a canister wheel of 10 inches, the walker can be used on all floor surfaces – outdoor and indoor. It’s one of the rollator walkers to consider for all-terrain and rough surfaces.
The walker has a wide seat – 18-inches wide and a padded backrest to allow you to rest your back while sitting and not aggravate your back pain.
It can also fold into a compact size, making it an excellent choice for travelling as it fit perfectly into the car boot.
#2. Drive Medical RTL10266 Nitro Euro-Style 4-Wheel Rollator Walker
This is an excellent outdoor rollator walker that manoeuvres on all ground surfaces. It has a strong frame with a weight capacity of 350 pounds and canister wheels of 10 inches.
The frame is made with aluminium making it light in weight and folds into a more compact size for easy storage and travelling.
With an adjustable height, it fits different users’ heights. The handgrips adjust up to 40-inches, making it a perfect choice for tall users.
Not only does it have a comfortable seat and backrest, but the storage pouch also ensures you can safely keep your stuff, leaving your hands free and relieving the back region.
It is lovely support and mobility aid for people with back pain and one of the best rollator walkers for back problems.
#3. Drive Medical 10210-1 Deluxe 2-Button Folding Walker
Walkers are employed when the patient needs a high level of support for balance, and this is a great walking aid choice for folks with severe back pain.
This is a front-wheel walker with the two wheels removable as a standard walker, depending on the user’s choice.
The walker is made of aluminium, light in weight and easily adjustable to the user’s height. With a weight capacity of 350 pounds, it can conveniently carry both petite and heavy users.
Other dimensions include Overall Product Length: 17.5” Product Width: 24” Product Height: 32” Actual Product Weight: 7.5 pounds, Width Inside Back Legs: 20”, Inside Hand Grip Width: 17”, Adjustable Height: 32”-39”, Base Depth: 17.5”
#4. Medline Premium Empower Rollator Walker
This walker includes a thick foam padded seat and backrest, which gives premium comfort to the back region while the user sits. It is one of the best walking aid for back pain.
With its 8-inches canister wheel, the rollator can easily manoeuvre on all floor surfaces, indoors and outdoors.
Also, the frame is strong, with a high carrying capacity of 300 pounds. Not only is it suitable for heavy users, but it also suits short and tall seniors perfectly, with a recommended user height of 4’11” to 6’4”.
It has a width of 17.5 inches between the two handgrips, making it an excellent choice for both petite and large individuals.
The walker folds into a compact size and has a storage bag to help users keep their stuff safely.
#5. Switch Sticks Walking Stick
This is a cane that combines a walking stick and a sitting feature. It is a lovely product that gives the user support while walking and offers sitting when they are tired.
One thing that aggravates back pain is prolonged standing, which is what this walking stick eradicates with the seat.
The sitting feature can only carry users weighing up to 220 pounds. Its height can also be adjusted to different heights for a perfect fit.
The walking stick easily folds to fit into a plane and travel luggage. Its tip has non-slip rubber to offer safety and prevent falls. The recommended user’s height is between 5’ to 5’10” tall.
#6. Hugo 731-850 Adjustable Quad Walking Cane
The quad cane is one of the best walking sticks that offer better support and appropriate walking aid for people with back problems.
With an extended length of 39 inches – adjustable between 28-39 inches, the quad cane becomes suitable for both short and tall people.
The cane is recommended for users between 5’ and 6’5” and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It has 11 precision height adjustments to fit the user’s height perfectly.
It is a lovely quad cane and one of the best to offer good support for people with back problems and balance.
#7. HurryCane HCANE-BL-C2 Freedom Edition Foldable Walking Cane
This is the best-selling cane on Amazon, with over 19,000 previous buyers’ reviews. It is free-standing, designed to stand on its own beside you, and folds into a compact size.
With its customizing fit, the cane adjusts between 31-38 inches. It also collapses into 13.75 inches in height when folded for more accessible storage.
The cane has three bases that grip well with any floor surface, providing maximum balance and support. Its base mimics the position of the ankle for improved balance and traction.
#8. Ergobaum 7G by Ergoactives
This is a forearm and heavy-duty crutch and one of the best forearm crutches for back pain, as it offers good support and comfort for its users.
The crutch comes in pairs, with each unit weighing 2.9 pounds. The crutches also fold into a compact size and easily adjust to fit the user’s height perfectly.
Also, for comfort, the crutches are equipped with spring-assisted technology that acts as a shock absorber, absorbing all impacts from the floor for better comfort.
It is a lovely crutch that fits men and women. With a weight capacity of 350 pounds, it is strong enough for petite and big people.