How Do You Adjust a Walker?

A walker provides support to people with balance issues or injuries that limit their ability to walk. These devices work by transferring some of a persons' body weight through the arms, and they provide a wider base of support, to improve balance. A walker should be properly adjusted to provide the correct amount of support and reduce the risk of injury.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Choose a walker that is rated for the height and weight of the patient. Wider walkers are available for larger individuals and petite, regular and tall heights are available. Exact specifications vary by brand.

• 2

  Instruct the patient to stand up, and measure the distance from the floor to the patient's wrist crease -- where the forearm meets the hand.

• 3

  Turn the walker upside down and adjust the legs up or down by pressing the metal button and sliding the leg in or out. Repeat on each leg, until the walker height matches the previously measured height. All four legs should be equal.

• 4

  Turn the walker right-side up and instruct the patient to stand inside it. Have the patient place his hands on the handles and observe the position of the patient's elbows. If the walker is properly fitted, there will be a slight bend in the elbows of approximately 15 degrees. Make further adjustments if necessary to find the position that is most comfortable for the patient.