LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY by NIRMALA VENKATESWARAN & VOLUNTEERS OF VIDYA VRIKSHAH ASSISTIVE DEVICES FOR DEFORMITY
ASSISTIVE DEVICES are equipments that help movement of deformed people.

1.Walker

2. Wheel Chair

3. Trolley

4. Stick

5. Crutches

Let us see how a stick or a crutch should be like

A stick should be solid and strong, with a diameter
of about 2 cms.
It should be straight.
It should not be very heavy.
It should be of proper length.
The stick may look like any of the ones shown below.

How will you know the correct length of the stick ?

Make the person stand with a support and arms straight down.	He could support himself against a wall/a tree.
Keep a long stick by his side	The stick should touch the arm.
Mark a point half way between his elbow and the tip of the fist.	Make a mark at this point. The required length is upto this point.

How does one walk with the stick?

Make the patient stand with a stick.	Keep the stick on the side opposite the weaker leg.
Place the stick a little in front and a little away.	Ask the patient to stand straight.
Ask the patient to move the stick and the weak leg together.	Let him take one step. The stick and the weak leg are at one level. The weight must be borne by the strong leg.
Let the patient now take a step with the strong leg.	Now the strong leg will be one step ahead. Put weight on the stick for balance and support.

Alternate method for the stick.

First move the stick, then the weak and then the strong leg. While moving the strong leg the patient must remember to put weight on the stick.

How does one use Crutches?

Remember the length of the crutch should be 7/9th of the height of the patient.

Make patient stand with crutches by holding the hand-pieces and placing the top of the crutches below the arm pits.	The top pads of the crutches must press against the side of the chest, not the armpit.
The tips of the crutches must be placed a little away, to the side, and a little ahead of the toes.	Ask the patient to keep his body straight and well balanced.
The patient should move the left crutch and the right leg together, then the right crutch and left leg.	By doing so, balance and position are maintained to the optimum.

Alternate Method Keep the level of the crutch and the opposite leg the same. Move the crutch and opposite leg one at a time, and then the other crutch and the other leg.

Talking of mechanical devices, one is reminded of Orthosis. What does this term mean?

Orthosis is a mechanical device fitted to any part of the body such that, that part becomes functional to the maximum possible extent.

Exercise is essential for any child with locomotor disability whether caused by congenital deformity , polio, paralysis, cerebral palsy,stroke or amputation. Click HERE to view details of the exercises.

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