Whether you’re recovering in the hospital from an injury or surgery, or whether you have a long-term condition that causes difficulty walking, there may come a time when you need the support of a walker. Learn how to use a walker safely to prevent falls and injuries.
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A walker is a mobility aid that helps provide stability and balance while you walk. In general, a walker is a body-sized frame with handles for you to hold onto and wheeled or rubber feet that “walk” with you.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
You might need to use a walker for a short time or a long time. There are also different types of walkers you might use. It’s important to know how to use a walker the right way to reduce your risk of falling.
The standard walker (also called a Zimmer frame or pulpit frame) comes in two variations. These are the walkers that healthcare facilities typically provide. They’re generally intended for limited, indoor use.
There are also several specialized types of walkers designed for more specific uses. Your healthcare provider might recommend a more specialized walker for you based on your condition and needs.
The standard “four-point” walker has four rubber-tipped feet. You lift the walker and step forward with it, following with your feet. This model provides the most stability for people with balance issues.
The two-wheeled walker has wheels on the front two feet and rubber tips on the back two feet. Instead of lifting this walker to take a step, you slide it forward. This allows for a more natural walking pattern.
Beyond the basic models, there are some specialized types of walkers, including:
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You might need to use a walker temporarily if you’re recovering from an injury or surgery. You might need long-term use of a walker if you have a long-term condition that affects your ability to walk safely.
Some reasons you might use a walker include:
Once you and your healthcare provider have selected the right type of walker for your needs, you’ll need to adjust it to your body and environment. That means adjusting the height and feet if necessary.
Most walkers are height-adjustable within a 5-inch to 10-inch range. For regular walkers, you’ll want the handles to be at about hip height. This means they’ll be level with your wrists when your arms are slightly bent.
Make sure you’re wearing your walking shoes and standing in a comfortable posture when you adjust the height of your walker. If the standard model doesn’t fit, you can request a bigger or smaller one.
Both the four-point walker and the two-wheeled walker have rubber-tipped feet in the back. Some people attach other fittings to these feet to move more easily over their floors or to protect their floors.
Examples include:
You can also get custom grip pads with more padding and less sweating than the standard plastic ones. These can add comfort and reduce stress on your joints if you expect to be using your walker for a while.
These instructions are for walking with a standard, four-point or two-wheeled walking frame. Specialized walkers have different features that may fit your body differently and require different techniques.
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You should be standing comfortably upright, with your shoulders relaxed. with your arms just slightly bent (about 15 to 25 degrees) to hold the handles. Your feet should be just inside the frame. If you’re too far forward, you run into the front bar. If you’re too far back, the walker can’t support you as it should.
Here’s the correct way to use a walker:
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If you can’t bear any weight on one leg, you can use your walker more like crutches, bearing more weight on your arms. After stepping forward with the walker, press down onto the handles to hop your good leg forward, keeping your other leg raised. Move the walker forward again to hop to your next step.
If you have to take a step up or down with a walker, the general rule is to step up with your stronger leg and step down with your weaker leg. As before, your walker takes the first step up or down. Once it’s in place, you can lean into your walker to step up with your strong leg or step down with your weak leg.
If you have difficulty safely getting around on your own, using a walker can:
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Becoming more mobile than you’re used to being and using a new device can raise your risk of falling. Learning to use your walker the right way and practicing basic safety guidelines can minimize this risk.
To reduce your risk of falls and injuries when using a walker:
Your injured or weaker leg goes first. Use your grip on the walker to bear most of the weight of your first step. Then, follow with your stronger leg. It’s a three-step pattern: 1) walker, 2) bad leg, 3) good leg.
If you don’t have a weaker leg, it doesn’t matter which one you start with. Some people use a wheeled walker just for general support. You don’t have to think about your step pattern too much in this case.
Whether you slide or lift your walker depends on the type you have. If your walker has four rigid feet, you’ll lift it and place it in front of you. If it has wheels in the front, you can slide or push it forward.
Don’t try to lift a wheeled walker. The wheels are for gliding. If you lift and place them, they could run away from you. And don’t try to push a rubber-footed walker. It won’t glide and might skid on the floor.
Using a walker isn’t too hard once you get the hang of it. But it is important to learn the right technique. This will ensure that your walker supports you as it’s meant to, without causing any new issues.
A reliable healthcare provider can help select the right type of walker for your needs and adjust the fit to your body. They can also show you in person how to use a walker to get around safely on your own.
Last reviewed on 04/19/2024.
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