The most complete walking aids in history

In medicine, walking aids are used to support body weight, keep balance and walk. Most of the people who use walking aids are hemiplegic, paraplegic, amputated or elderly patients whose lower limb muscle strength is weakened and unable to support weight. There are many kinds of walking aids in the market. Only choosing the right one can bring the greatest convenience to users' life.

Four legged frame walking aid, which has two handles and four legs, uses frame structure and has high stability performance. It is mainly used for those with walking difficulties, such as those who have sound upper limb function, poor lower limb muscle strength and poor balance ability, such as those who cannot bear weight after lower limb injury or fracture. The height of the handrail and the big rotor (the protrusion of hip joint) can be kept horizontal by adjusting the extension rod of the four foot frame walking aid. You need to pay attention when using a four legged walker. Adjust the walker to a proper height, and the center of gravity should not be too forward. The user must pick up the walker with both hands when using it. The balance ability in the moment of standing is very important. (Figure 1-1)

Figure 1-1 four legged frame walking aid

Differential frame type walking aid, which has two handles and four legs, is equipped with hinges and can move alternately on one side. Because the two sides of the differential frame walking aid can travel alternately, the speed of travel is faster than the ordinary four foot frame walking aid, and the structure is less stable than the four foot frame walking aid. (Fig. 1-2) because the differential frame walker is close to the normal gait, it is suitable for the users with slightly poor upper limb muscle strength but certain balance ability, but the users with poor instant standing balance are not recommended to use it. The four foot frame type walking aid is formed by fixing the hinge of the differential frame type walking aid.

Figure 1-2 differential frame type Walker

Step frame walking aid is a frame walking aid with two high and two low handles and four legs. The low handle is used to support the user to stand up or sit down. Keep the height of the high handle of the step frame Walker level with the big rotor (the protrusion of hip joint). The walker shall be close to the seat to facilitate the transfer. (Figure 1-3)

Figure 1-3 step frame type Walker

Two wheel walker is a wheel walker with two handles, two wheels and two feet. The fixed caster is installed in front of the two wheel walker, and the back foot pad has certain friction and anti-skid performance, which is easy to push, and has good directionality, so the operation of lifting the walker is omitted, and the user can push the walker forward by pushing it. It is suitable for users with insufficient upper limb muscle strength and poor balance, who cannot lift the walker, such as the elderly. When using the two-wheel walker, make the height of the walker handle level with the user's navel, adjust the height and make it suitable for operation. (Figure 1-4)

Figure 1-4 two wheel Walker

The frame type two-wheel walker is a two wheel walker with two handles, two wheels and two legs in a frame structure. (Figure 1-5) the performance of the frame type two-wheel walker is basically the same as that of the two-wheel walker. In use, the center of gravity of the body is closer to the walker, and the stability performance is better than that of the two-wheel walker. It is suitable for the elderly to walk. The handle height of the frame type two wheel Walker should be horizontal with the big rotor (the protrusion of hip joint).

图1-5 框式两轮助行器

四轮助行器,有两个手柄和四个轮子的轮式助行器。（图1-6）四轮助行器的用途与两轮助行器一样,但四轮助行器移动更加灵活,可用于较快的行走速度,一般装有刹车制动装置和休息座椅,适用于室外使用。使用前要调整伸缩杆高度,使手柄位置与使用者脐平,由于其稳定性能较低,具有较好平衡能力者才能使用。四轮助行器把手手刹可作为行驶制动使用。将手刹向下压后,可作为驻车制动使用,因此,放下驻车制动后,四轮助行器可以作为两轮助行器的使用。

图1-6 四轮助行器

后置四轮助行器，是有两个手柄和四个轮子,使用者位于助行器前方,以拉动方式行进的轮式助行器。（图1-7）后置四轮助行器其性能与四轮助行器相似,后轮具有防倒退装置,但使用方法不同,使用者位于后置四轮助行器前方,以拉动方式向前行进。后置四轮器适用于身体姿势不良者,例如脑瘫患儿。脑瘫患儿在以拉动的方式行进时使身体挺直；平衡控制能力较差的使用者,身体易后倾者,后置助行器能提供相应的支撑。 调整后置四轮助行器时,需要依据使用者的身高调整手柄高度,使手柄者大转子(部关节的突起部位)保持水平位置。

图1-7 后置四轮助行器

框式四轮助行器，是有两个手柄和四个轮子,呈框式结构的轮式助行器。（图1-8）框式结构的四轮助行器其性能和使用方法基本同四轮助行器,使用中身体重心更靠近助行器,稳定性能优于四轮助行器,适用于室内和训练,在使用中需要制动时可用上肢力量将助行器下压,即可刹车制动。

图1-8 框式四轮助行器

座式助行器，有多个轮子和一个行走时支撑身体的座位或吊带的助行器具。（图1-9）座式助行器的固定座位或吊带有辅助支撑的作用。一般适合重症患者、下支撑力很差者使用。

图1-9 座式助行器

台式助行器，平台支撑台式助行器是有四个轮子和支撑平台的台式助行器。助行器带有支撑平台,并且支撑面积加大,承重能力增加,可通过上肢支撑,利用助行器带动身体向前移动。调整台式助行器的前臂支撑平台时,宽度要考虑与使用者肩同宽,身体直立,肩部自然放松,上臂略外展,与胸廓夹2-3指距离,射屈曲90°,地面到鹰嘴的距离,再加上2.5cm。六轮平台支撑台式助行于器,相较于四轮平台支撑台式助行器更易于转弯。