Equipment For Balance Issues

Filed under Handicap Equipment

Grab bars and floor to ceiling poles are great for maintaining balance in one specific location but people need to travel to their destinations and walk around their homes.

However, you might have balance issues when walking around and you need to find the right product designed to help you maintain your balance. Most problems with balance may stem from strokes, inner ear problems, vision problems, injured legs, missing limbs, weakened lower body or some other medical condition. When you have problems with your balance, you will, need and want to, use an aid.

Items To Help You Get Balanced

Some forms of balance aids consist of walkers, canes, tripod walkers, etc. There are many types of medical walkers to choose from. You can choose your walker to have front and back wheels, just one set of wheels, or absolutely no wheels at all. If you have an injury below the knee there are specialty ones for that as well. Most of them fold up and are light weight for maximum portability.

Canes can offer you support and help out with your balance when you are walking. They are generally capped off with a rubber stopper so it generally hugs and grips your walking surface. You can get your cane in adjustable lengths for a custom fit. There are also canes with a wider base allowing for more stability and the ability for the cane to stand up on it’s own.

Tripod walkers are great for adding more mobility to your life. Using this type of walker, you generally gain more freedom and mobility versus that of the standard walker with four legs. They tend to be smaller and lighter as in size and weight as well. Many of them fold up for easy travel and storage.

Having better balance can prevent falls and reduce injury. It can also help with quality of life. You can still enjoy freedom and activities. These items would be beneficial to you in or outside of your home. You can use them to get around your house as well as going shopping or for a walk down the street.

The cost of the equipment will vary based on what you want. You can find that your insurance will pay for your aids if they are prescribed by a doctor. Depending on what you choose, a simple balance aid may cost as low as $15 to $20 and a more extravagant item may cost you a $100 or more.

Tags: Walkers

Handicap One Leg Knee Walkers

Filed under Disability, Handicap Bathroom

If recovering from an amputation, foot problems or surgery, adult knee walkers may be of help to you. One leg walkers are also known as adult knee walkers. There are different styles and types of these handicap walkers to choose from. These types of walkers are a great alternative to using standard crutches to get about with foot problems.

Knee walkers come with wheels that make them easy to maneuver around furniture, tight spaces and around obstacles. To use the walker, kneel and put the knee of the injured foot or leg on a cushioned kneepad that comes with most models. Various models may be steerable and come with a braking system. These walkers can be rented or purchased. Purchase prices start somewhere around $130 up to $400 or more. This depends upon your particular needs and how long you may need to use your one leg walkers.

• Lightweight One Leg Knee Walkers – This lightweight design allows for easy movement and maneuverability.
• Steerable Knee Walkers – These knee walkers also have brakes.

Benefits of Knee Walkers

There are many situations where using these knee handicap walkers can be of great value to a patient with an amputated foot or foot problems. With the use of the healthy foot, a patient does not have to always rely on crutches or a wheelchair. Working around the home, cooking, doing laundry, standing for any long periods of time can present painful problems for those with any type of foot injury. The walkers allow movement and support for the foot till recovery. Shopping in large stores, at the grocery store and standing for long periods of time is another example of when this type of leg walker could be advantageous. Unlike using crutches, there is support for the injured foot. The patient with the injury now has support for the injury and can stop and rest the injury. Both hands are free for reaching and shopping for items. As long as the surface is smooth, a patient can scoot just about anywhere.

Maintenance of a rolling knee walker is minimal. Clean and disinfect the handlebar grips as needed or replace. Dry your walker well after using in an environment that is wet or high moisture areas. WD40 can keep things lubricated and also help to stop corrosion problems as well. Rotate or replace wheels that show excessive wear. With proper care, these walkers can last a long time and give much service to the user. In summary, the benefits of knee walkers over crutches for those with foot injuries are many.

Tags: Walkers