Getting Around with Charcot

Mobility aids

Verywellhealth.com

It is important to use dependable, rugged mobility aids and devices during your recovery.

Getting around with Charcot is one of the most difficult parts of your recovery. Jonathan Cluett, MD warns there are many factors that go into choosing the correct mobility aid including: gait, balance, cognition, cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal challenges, and any neurological conditions. Lastly, "If you have had an injury, you may need a walking aid that matches your weight-bearing status".¹

Mobility aids

• Canes - Canes are effective for patients needing minor support of an injured foot or ankle. Canes are easy to use, lightweight and easy to stow. They are limited by their support strength as well as the patient's ability to properly hold one. If you've been told by your provider that you are "no weight bearing", a cane is not an appropriate mobility aid for your case. Canes should be used on the strong side and move forward together with the weaker side. Patients with canes will need to make sure that they have been properly fitted for length.
• Crutches - Crutches offer much more support than canes and will also allow a patient to completely remove weight from the injured limb. The increased support however comes with a price, crutches require fairly good stability and upper body strength. Crutches also require the use of both of your hands to use safely. You won't be able to carry things or hold onto a bar or railing for instance. Users of crutches will have a difficult time with staircases. Finally, crutches are somewhat of a pain to stow safely in a car and should be measured for fitment to each person.
• Walker - Should you have issues with balance, stability or upper body strength, the walker mobility aid may be a good fit for your case. These offer the most support and should be chosen on the basis of foldability, weight capacity, handle height, heaviness of the walker itself, and width.¹ Some types of walkers aalso have built-in seats so you can rest without needing a separate chair.
• Knee walker/scooter - A great way to get around if you have issues using crutches and need more freedom of movement is a knee walker. They have a lot of support, allow you to keep weight completely off your foot and ankle and are simple to use. There are various types, choose the one that best fits your case. Knee walkers can also be used for exercise if your provider has cleared you to do that.
• Knee crutch - The knee crutch is a great mobility aid that has several benefits over all the others. Your freedom of movement is relatively uninhibited. You are able to use both hands as if you were walking normally. They also offer the patient the ability to completely remove weight from an injured foot or ankle. Stairs though tricky at first, are no problem for users of a knee crutch. However, this mobility aid requires the greatest amount of stability, balance and coordination. Most also have a weight limit so please check that this is an appropriate tool for you.

There are several options for those of us living with Charcot to getting around. It's very important that you discuss with your provider what options are appropriate for your case.