Mobility aids are some of the essential tools that support the person who is unable to move around on their own because of old age, disease, injury, or handicap. These aids create stability, support & safety in a person’s life. Let’s investigate & study the different types of mobility aids & their uses.
1. Canes
Canes are used to provide balanced support. Canes help in weight transfer away from legs that are injured or weak. Canes assist the patient in their healing state following minor injuries or surgical procedures where they act as interim support for the patients. There are different types of canes which are as follows:
Types of Canes:
- Standard Canes
- Quad Canes
- Folding Canes
- Offset Canes
2. Crutches
Crutches are utilised for injury recovery applied after fractures or post-surgery. They provide long-term mobility which gives essential support for people who are suffering from chronic conditions affecting the legs. Crutches also give relief from weight-bearing on the legs. There are types of crutches mentioned below:
Types of Crutches:
- Axillary (Underarm) Crutches
- Forearm Crutches
- Platform Crutches
3. Walkers
Walkers offer the support & stability to maintain the balance of the individual after their post-surgery, any accidental issues or it can be a chronic condition too like in the case of arthritis or Parkinson’s disease. Similarly, they are used for wise people.
Types of Walkers:
- Standard Walkers
- Two-Wheeled Walkers
- Four-Wheeled Walkers (Rollators)
- Knee Walkers
4. Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs play the best role in intense mobility problems and are essential for people who can’t walk at all or very little. This mobility aid provides independence for the required person to move on to their destination. It gives long-term mobility for the desired comfort & convenience.
Types of Wheelchairs:
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Electric Wheelchairs
- Sports Wheelchairs
- Transport Wheelchairs
5. Mobility Scooters
These mobility aids are best for outdoor mobility that accommodates a state of independence for the required person which also includes people with conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or severe arthritis.
Types of Mobility Scooters:
- Three-Wheel Scooters
- Four-Wheel Scooters
- Travel Scooters
- Heavy-Duty Scooters
6. Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices
These mobility aids are suitable for cases of limb replacement which gives people with disabilities the ability to regain functioning. Prosthetic and Orthotic devices give their contribution to alignment & support in correction during the treatment process.
Types of Prosthetic and Orthotic Devices :
- Prosthetic Limbs
- Orthotic Braces
How to choose the correct Mobility Aid?
The choice of a mobility aid depends on lots of factors of an individual. What are the conditions of their treatment? How long do they have to go with their mobility aid? What therapies do they have to follow up with their conditions, whether they got their affected state through an injury or any chronic conditions? Some essential points are considered in this case such as safety, comfort and convenience.
Conclusion
The role of all mobility aids we discussed above, each device has its significant act to bring the improvement in required individual’s life. The designed inventions of these mobility aid devices collaborated with high-technology is affecting the needed population optimistically.
