After injury, surgery, or illness, your ability to walk safely may be limited.
Assistive devices may include a walker, cane,crutches, or aquad cane.
Astandard walkermay be the right gear to help you walk safely.
Verywell / Brett Sears
What Could Happen If You Do Not Walk Properly With Your Walker?
If you are using a walker and you fail to use it properly, it may tip over.
Learning to walk properly with your walker can keep you safe while you are moving around.
Verywell / Brett Sears
Lets take a look at how to properly walk with a walker as an assistive gear.
To start with, stand in the walker with your hands on the hand grips.
Your elbows should be bent comfortably.
Verywell / Brett Sears
First, lift the walker and move it forward about an arms length.
Advance the First Foot
Next, step one foot towards the walker.
Be sure you are not too far away from the walker either.
Verywell / Brett Sears
Your foot should land squarely inside the walker.
Standing too far away from the walker can cause it to tip backward, leading to falls.
Advance the Other Foot Forward
Then, advance the other foot past the first foot.
Be sure you are standing in the center of the walker and that the walker does not tip over.
verify you are completely within the walker at this point.
Too far back, forward, or to one side may lead to loss of balance or falling.
This may cause injury.
It is important not to step too close to the front crossbar of the walker to avoid falling.
Your body should remain in the central part of the walker.
