Walking equipment is usually for one of two purposes: as part of a rehabilitation programme if you are recovering from an injury or operation, or as a long-term aid to mobility if you have ongoing difficulty with walking. Walking Frames tend to be more basic compared to rollators and tri-walkers, but they are still very useful. Sometimes called Zimmer frames, our range includes models with wheels, while some are fitted with four anti-slip rubber ferrules instead to allow you to lift and place the frame as you walk. The Motability Scheme can help if you want to hire or buy an electric wheelchair. It allows some people to use their benefits to pay for a wheelchair. aidingyour walking pattern in terms of speed and evenness of stride. The equipment may also help maintain an upright body posture

The environments that you spend most time in - your home, college, work or social setting. Do you need to manage the stairs or access a small bathroom/toilet? Four-wheeled rollators are more common than three-wheeled versions but some people find the three-wheeled models easier to turn, albeit a little less stable. You can also get smaller walkers, designed for indoor use. All wheeled walkers have brakes, usually lever-style breaks like you'd find on a bicycle or press-down brakes, which can be better for people with arthritis. While some models also have an integrated seat and shopping basket. Your body frame, e.g. your height, shape and weight. If you are a particularly large, tall or short person, you will need to ensure that the equipment you choose is suitable for your weight and height

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If you have stairs in your house and use a walking aid, obtain a second one and keep one upstairs and one downstairs. Do NOT attempt to take a walking frame up and down stairs Fenetic Wellbeing offers a range of walking frames, rollators, zimmer frames and walking aid accessories, in addition to Topro products from Norway and Rollz from the Netherlands. There are a number of actions that you can take to minimise your risk of a fall whilst using a walking aid. The poles proved pretty solid thanks to the aluminum construction and versatility on different types of terrain. Our test parent noted that she would happily pay the somewhat steep price tag for the stability and features that provided a safe, positive experience for her child. Wheeled walking frames are basically the same as standard pulpit frames but instead of ferrules they have small wheels on the front legs. It may be possible to exchange the ferrules on a standard, non-mobile frame for wheeled extensions. The small wheels make them more suitable for indoor use but, as the wheels do not swivel, they can be difficult to manoeuvre.

You might be able to get a voucher. This allows you to pay towards the cost of a different type of wheelchair. Borrowing a wheelchair If you are using axilla crutches, do not lean on the underarm pad as this may interrupt the blood flow and put pressure on important nerves that run through the armpit. The handgrips should be positioned so that the elbows are slightly flexed.Walking frames without wheels require reasonable strength in your arms, as you have to lift the frame every time you step forward – although most are designed to be very lightweight. They’re usually height adjustable and, as with all walking aids, setting the frame at the correct height is very important. Some pulpit shaped frames have a different folding mechanism. The frame is folded by pulling up a wooden ball, suspended between the top and bottom horizontal bars at the front of the frame, lifting the bottom bar upwards and closing the frame as it pivots at the point where the bottom bar meets the rear legs of the frame. Hand grips are important considerations too. The grips on women’s poles are usually made for smaller hands than men’s poles. Grips are often made from molded foam, rubber, or natural cork, with cork being more durable and comfortable but more expensive. “A rubber handle can be colder to the touch compared to a cork handle in cold weather,” says Martin.“It’s a small thing, but I will never buy a rubber-handled trekking pole after owning a cork handle. It’s the little things I guess,” he says. If the frame is too high, you may find it difficult to straighten your elbows sufficiently and may not take enough body weight through your arms As with any repeated movement pattern, the long-term use of a walking aid can cause changes in your gait, posture, balance and muscle strength. These can all affect your ability to carry out certain tasks. It is important that:

These frames have a central handgrip that enables the frame to be held/moved using one hand. Care should be taken if using a one-handed frame as it does not offer as much support as gripping the frame with both hands. Advice should be sought from a physiotherapist as using this sort of frame may have an adverse effect on some rehabilitation programmes. The most stable walking frames have four legs and four ferrules (rubber feet), although models with three legs are available, too.whether you'll be able to steer it (some have special levers to steer them if you have arthritis in your hands) These frames are hinged so that each side can be alternately placed forwards with each step to give a reciprocal action. They will go through tighter spaces than standard frames.