Walkers

Proper Measurement:   

1. When the arm is hanging straight down, the handgrip should be at wrist level.
2. Support your weight with your hands on the handgrips, which should be padded.

Walking:

1. Stand in the middle of the walker.
2. Grasp the walker grips with your hands; move the walker forward at a comfortable arm’s length; keep the back legs of the walker even with your toes.
3. Step forward with your injured leg into the middle of the walker; continue to grasp the walker grips with your hands.
4. Step forward with your uninjured leg; try not to put your full weight on your injured leg by supporting some of your weight with your arms.

Tips:

• Do not take a step until all four legs of the walker are on the ground.
• Do not place the walker too far ahead of you; keep the walker’s back legs even with your toes.
• If your doctor allows you to use a wheeled walker, use only two wheels on the front portion of your walker. It is only advisable to use four wheels when the walker has brakes.