Walking Aids
Posted on 16. Feb, 2009 by Dave in Mobility Aids
| Walking Aids Large Selection of Walkers, Canes, Rollators and Transport Chairs. www.health-mobility.com |
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Walking aids are equipment used to assist those who have problems with walking or standing up. These include individuals with bone fractures, casts, bone diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Individuals who are suffering from minor sprains and strains may also use walking aids as temporary means of support while walking.
Types of Walking Aids
There are three types of walking aids: walking stocks, simmers and trekking poles. Walking sticks are suited for those who are relatively strong and can give a tight grip on the cane. Walking sticks are usually made of sturdy wood.
Zimmers come in box-style frames and tripod-style stick frames. The box-style frames provide very good stability but requires two hands on the grip. The tripod-stye zimmer has three legs, is lighter than the box-style and can be used with one hand. Although it is fairly stable, it offers less stability than the box-style zimmer. Zimmers are popular walking aids for the elderly.
Trekking poles, on the other hand, are often referred to as the high-tech walking aid for the casual walker. They may or may not be used by individuals with mobility problems. Healthy individuals who simply want a form of support can use trekking poles. Trekking poles may be used by hikers who are walking over snow or rugged, mountainous terrain.
What Makes Good Walking Aids
Choosing the right walking aid is fairly easy as long as you know what good walking aids are made of. Walking aids must b made of material with a support that is stiff enough to withstand your weight and strong enough not to break or bend when someone falls on it. However, walking aids should be light enough to carry around. Quality walking canes are usually made of magnesium and aluminum alloys, although there are also walking aids that are made of wood. Aluminum is usually preferred over magnesium, as the latter tends to corrode easily and is more expensive. Aluminum is cheaper and can be easily molded into shape.
Wood walking canes take longer to shape and mold. Beech, chestnut, hazel and ash are usually the types of wood used in walking aids.
Composites and many ceramics are also good choices because they are strong but have reasonably low density. Composites are usually the material used for high-end trekking poles, the walking aid of choice for the fashion forward crowd and for those who are into extreme mountaineering or hiking.
