Walker Facts

Trauma Related Fractures
Case Study

Diagnosis:

A 36-year-old, married female sustained a right fractured hip and a left fractured wrist, in a Motor Vehicle Accident.  Post operatively; the patient was restricted to partial weight bearing through her right lower extremity, and non-weight bearing through her left wrist.

Challenges and Strengths:

• Client needs to follow the weight bearing restrictions for at least six weeks, when the surgeon will reassess the degree of healing.
• Client was previously healthy and had been active in the community, working full time as a receptionist. 
• Client lives in an apartment with hard wood floors and has an accessible ramp up to the front door.   Access to her apartment on the 4th floor is by elevator.
• She lives with her husband and 14-year-old daughter. Client’s family is supportive and able to manage their routines independently, however her husband works full time and her daughter attends school, leaving her home alone for the majority of the day.
• This client plans to spend most of the next 6 weeks recuperating and healing at home, but does not want her family to have to miss work or school to care for her. She wishes to be as independent as possible with her ambulation and personal care.  Her goals were to be able to get into the kitchen to access the fridge and sink, into the bathroom to toilet herself and to be able to dress and undress independently.

Solution:

Two-wheeled walker with 5” swivel front wheels and rear gliders, auto-stop brakes and a forearm attachment on the left. 

A wheelchair had been discussed, but was not recommended due to her concerns about space and manoeuvrability in her apartment. Building on this client’s prior strength, endurance, and good health she was able to show sufficient strength to mobilize independently and safely with the two-wheeled walker. 

The walker was fitted with a padded forearm attachment on the left side to support her weight through her forearm. This enabled the client to meet her lower and upper extremity weight bearing restrictions and still steer the walker over the hardwood surface in her apartment. 

This client was able to independently enter and exit her bedroom, bathroom and kitchen using this walker.  When assistance from family was available they would stow the walker into the trunk of the car and she was able to transfer in and out to attend medical appointments and social events when necessary.

When the surgeon changes her weight bearing status for her upper and lower extremity, the appropriateness of this walker will need to be re-assessed.