Mobility aids help people with a disability or an injury walk or get from place to place. They include:
- crutches;
- canes;
- walkers;
- wheelchairs;
- motorized scooters;
- prostheses — devices that replace a missing body part or help one work better, such as a leg.
Ramps, stairlifts and handrails count too: they help people move around their surroundings safely.
Who they help
Mobility aids can make people with a physical disability or trouble getting around more independent. For example:
- a walker or cane can help if you are at risk of falling or healing from an injury to the lower body;
- crutches keep weight off an injured foot, ankle or knee;
- a wheelchair or scooter may be needed if an injury or disease has left you unable to walk.
People with certain health conditions and older adults may also benefit from various aids.
Choosing one
A health care provider or physical therapist can help you pick the right aid, but it takes time and research. Some aids require good upper-body strength or balance to use safely, and without them another option may be better. Crutches, canes and walkers should be fitted to you: a device that fits gives support, while one that doesn't can be uncomfortable and unsafe.
Sources
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine): "Mobility Aids."
许可协议： CC0 1.0（公有领域） · 改编自 medlineplus.gov
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