Devices that support your weight or help you to balance when walking are also called mobility aids. Companies like Drive Medical, Medline, and Trust Care make these devices. They come in many different styles. A professional can help you decide what might be the best fit for your body and give you tips on using it correctly, such as which hand to hold your cane in.
This page is about ambulatory mobility aids. For information about devices to use while seated – like wheelchairs – see the “wheeled mobility aids” page.
What Kinds of Walking Aids Are There?
Cane
Canes come in different styles. They have one, three, or four points of contact with the ground. Some canes are foldable.
Walker
Walkers might have four straight legs or two wheels. Many walkers fold flat for storage.
Rollator
A rollator is a walker with three or four wheels. It often has a fold-down seat for you to sit on. Some versions, called upright walkers, have forearm rests that come up to elbow height.
Crutch
Crutches come in underarm or forearm styles. They may take more practice to use correctly than walkers.
Knee Walker
A knee walker is an alternative to using crutches if you cannot put weight on one foot. You push yourself along with the other foot, like riding a scooter.