Walkers

It is important to start walking soon after a leg injury or surgery. Since our walkers do not have 4 wheels, you will need to lift it and place it in front of you to move forward.
Before any further instructions, here there are important tips to use a walker safely:
- all 4 tips or wheels on your walker need to be on the ground before you put your weight on it;
- look forward when you are walking, not down at your feet;
- go slowly and walk with good posture, keeping your back straight;
- use a chair with armrests to make sitting and standing easier;
- make sure your walker has been adjusted to your height.

Follow these steps to walk with your walker:
1- put the walker at arm’s length in front of you;
2- take the weight off your hands and gently push the walker forward;
3- use the handles of the walker for balance as you step forward with the weaker leg to the middle area of the walker. Don’t step all the way to the front. If both legs are of equal strength, then it doesn’t matter which one goes first;
4- push straight down on the walker handles as you step the other leg forward until it’s even with the first leg.
5- Repeat

Follow these steps to turn with your walker:
1- take small steps when you turn by moving the walker a short distance, then your legs;
2- you may also turn by walking with a walker in a big circle.

Follow these steps to sit in a chair with your walker:
1- back up until you feel the chair against your legs;
2- place both hands on the chair arms;
3- ease down into the chair.

Follow these steps to stand up with your walker:
1- push up from the armrest of the chair or from the bed to a standing position;
2- place a firm grip on both sides of the walker with your hands;
3- move the walker forward a short distance.
4- step forward with your injured or weaker leg first, putting weight on the palms of your hands;
5- take a step with your stronger leg keeping your feet within the walker's boundaries.