Walking aids

Crutches and walking sticks designs used in assisting the disabled have not changed since their original conception, some 5000 years ago. In engineering perspective, crutches and walking sticks is a mechanical system, which improve a disability; they may serve as support, help the user to recover from stumbling, or transmit from the arms, the energy required to lift the feet from the ground, an action not provided by artificial ankle joints. They are adjustable in height, shock absorbing and have non-slipping tips. Specially developed aids have been designed for children; they are versatile and their use has been made psychologically attractive.

Walking sticks or canes, walking frames and wheeled walkers are types of walking aids and are of significant aids for those who have walking incapacities. Walking aids for the elderly range from the traditional wooden walking stick to the tubular metal ones. Recently the telescopic walking pole, originally designed for mountain trekking, has become popular for general leisure walking.

Walking sticks or canes aid balance and stability as well as providing a small amount of weight transfer. It can be folding and are usually height adjustable. It may be in varnished wooden stick in an attractive, traditional design. A tight grip is required to gain support from the stick, so these are only suitable for people who are still reasonably mobile and strong. Walking frames are used by those who need more weight transfer or added stability. They can be shaped with a lower grab bar to aid rising from a chair. There are two main varieties - a "box-style" frame, and a "tripod style" sticks with three feet to give a more rigid base than a walking stick. The classic box-style is very stable and easily gripped, but it requires two hands and is cumbersome to transport. The tripod-style is lighter and one-handed, but offers less support and stability so is only acceptable for more mobile people. These products have been as dominant as aids for the elderly. Wheeled Walkers (Rollators): Can be four wheels or three wheels. It is usually fitted with safety brakes. Wheels can usually be bought for walking frames above but it is only really safe to fit two wheels to the front of these walking aids, using the back legs as a kind of brake system.

The trekking poles have been something of a boom in walking for leisure in recent years - with a corresponding boom in gear and accessories to go with it. Originally used by mountaineers to improve balance while trekking over difficult terrain, there is now a large market for high-tech, walking sticks for the casual walker - but with exactly the same goal: to reduce strain on the legs, and reduce the chance of injury. Realizing what a walking aid serves for, one can be very particular for the product mechanical performance criteria. Aid must be stiff enough to support the walker without bending too much; must be light enough to carry easily; and needs to be sufficiently strong and tough; it shouldn't snap or bend permanently if someone drops it or falls on it.

Generally, walking aids are designed for two main uses: for rehabilitation, when the user is recovering from an injury or operation and as long-term aids to mobility for users with permanent disablement. Rehabilitation is a gradual process where the person works towards independent and unassisted walking and can start with the use of walking aids to give the user confidence whilst regaining strength and stability. The ultimate aim of a rehabilitation program is for the user to be walking independently, without walking aids as soon as practical. Sometimes, complete recovery is not possible or users have had an illness or disability that permanently affects their ability to walk. In this case, walking aids may be required for long-term use.

Walking aids are used for one or more reasons including: provision of greater stability and balance by providing a wider base of support; helping establish walking patterns to gain evenness of stride and build speed; helping maintain body posture; increase user's confidence in their walking ability; to redistribute some of the bodyweight through the walking aid to reduce stress on joints and limbs; and lastly, to give that all-important independence not otherwise available without the walking aid.