There are different types of walking aids, and it is vital to understand them correctly before selecting any to aid your mobility.
What is chosen by you will depend on the many factors we discuss below. Walking aid should give you the help needed to get you around quickly; however, selecting the wrong equipment may cause more discomfort and worsen your experience.
Types of Walking Aids
- Crutches
- Canes
- Rollators
- Walkers
- Wheelchairs
- Transport Chairs
- Knee Scooters
Crutches
Crutches are medical devices designed to help or aid movement/ambulation by transferring the body’s weight from the legs to the arms.
They are more useful for non-weight bearing – a situation where it is necessary to avoid placing the body weight on the legs may be due to foot injuries or old age.
Types of Crutches
- Forearm Crutches
- Underarm Crutches
Forearm Crutches: They are also known as elbow crutches. These crutches help transfer the body weight from the legs to the upper body region. Therefore, the user must have a solid upper body, which makes it unsuitable for older adults.
Underarm Crutches: They are longer than forearm crutches and transfer the body weight from the legs to the armpit. These crutches are much more recommended for non-weight bearing, especially after surgery. Underarm crutches are adjustable, solid and well-padded, especially under the armpit, to help evenly distribute pressure for more comfort and convenience.
Canes
Canes are more like forearm crutches but less bulky. However, unlike crutches, canes are not expected to carry the body’s weight but to provide balance for the user. They come in handy if you have a slight balancing issue, slight foot injury, and minor leg pain. They are very suitable for helping older people maintain balance.
Types of Canes
- Quad Cane
- Single Point Cane
Single Point Canes: These canes have just one point contacting the floor/ground. It is recommended if you need a little help to balance or slight injury.
Quad Canes: Unlike the single point, they have four points touching the floor. They are recommended if the user needs more help with support and stability.
Walkers
Walkers are great for people with severe balancing problems. They appear more flat and sturdy and can be with or without wheels. Walkers have four legs which can be either wheeled or non-wheeled.
Walkers without wheels will require the user to lift it a little, which may disadvantage users with weak arms. The wheeled walkers are easier to manoeuvre.
Rollators
Rollators are great medical devices for mobility and one of the best walking aids you should consider. They are made either in three wheels or four wheels with seat options.
Rollators are heavier but more accessible to move around than a walker due to the wheels. The brake system also makes it easy to control. The three-wheel rollators are sleeker and fit into smaller spaces than the four-wheeled rollator. Rollators are not suitable walking aids for non-weight bearing, but they are walking aid for balancing.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are one of the medical aids suitable to get a patient with a disability to move around. A wheelchair carries the user from one place to another and requires little or no effort from the user.
Types of wheelchair
The types of wheelchairs depend on their mode of operation, and they are:
- Electric Wheelchairs
- Manual Wheelchairs
Electric Wheelchairs: They use batteries for their operation and are operated automatically. The user will charge the battery and control the direction of the wheelchair with a joystick on the handle. Most electric wheelchairs can manoeuvre on every terrain, making them suitable for outdoor and indoor use.
Manual Wheelchair: This type of wheelchair will require the users to spin the wheel themselves or require the service of a caregiver to push them around. They are also solid and suitable for both outdoor and indoor usage.
Transport Chairs
Transport chairs look and work like manual wheelchairs but differ in wheel size. They are straightforward and require a caregiver’s service to push the user around. Electric transport chairs are similar to electric wheelchairs in appearance and operation. A transport chair is one of the types of walking aids to consider for weak or old people and non-weight bearing.
Knee Scooters
For non-weight-bearing injuries, knee scooters are one of the best walking aids to consider. The operation of a knee scooter is physical and requires the other leg to be fit and healthy. Also, a knee scooter is recommended for young people with good body fitness who need to remove weight from one foot. This walking aid is effective, as the result of the survey, in evaluating patients’ views of using knee scooters.
Quick View: Comparison Table for Different Types of Ambulation Aids
| Mobility Aid Equipment |
Suitable for Old Adults |
Require Upper Body Strength |
Non-Weight Bearing |
Suitable for Balancing |
| Crutches |
YES |
Forearm: YES
Underarm: Slightly |
YES |
NO |
| Canes |
YES |
YES | NO |
YES |
| Walkers |
YES |
Slightly | NO |
YES |
| Rollators |
YES |
NO | NO |
YES |
| Wheelchairs |
YES |
NO | YES |
NO |
| Transport Chairs |
YES |
NO | YES |
NO |
| Knee Scooters |
NO |
YES | YES |
NO |