How to Use a Walker With Wheels Correctly
If you have recently suffered a leg injury, have had surgery, or are suffering mobility problems due to old age or a physical condition, you may need to know how to use a walker with wheels. It's important to get back on your feet if you've suffered a setback, and even more important to stay mobile as you grow older. Knowing how to use your walker safely and effectively will put you in good stead to do both.
A wheeled walker can give you the support you need to walk more easily by supporting your body weight and taking the load off tired legs. It’s essential to take time to learn how to use your device safely to get the best use out of your walker and prevent accidents.
How to Use a Wheeled Walker Correctly
To use a standard walker with wheels effectively and safely:
Push your walker forward a few inches or an arm's length ahead of you.
Step forward with your weak or injured leg first. If both legs are injured, start with your weaker leg.
Step your stronger leg forward, placing it in front of your weak leg.
Repeat these steps to move forward. Proceed with caution, especially when you're new to using a walker. Keep your back straight as you walk and maintain good posture.
Going from Sitting to Standing With a Wheeled Walker
When starting from a sitting position (in a separate chair), follow these steps:
The walker should be positioned in front of you with the open side facing you.
Make sure the wheels are touching the ground.
Lean forward off the chair you are sitting on and use your arms to pull yourself up using the armrests on your chair. Don't pull on or put your full weight on the walker to help you stand up as it may topple over. Ask for help if you need it.
Once standing, grab the handles and steady yourself to stand up straight.
Make sure you feel steady on your feet before you start walking.
Going from Standing to Sitting
Take care when sitting down after using a walker:
Back up to the chair, toilet, or bed until the seat touches the back of your legs.
Reach back to grab the armrest, bed, or toilet for stability. A grab bar may help you feel more secure in this position. If you have two weak legs, reach back with one hand and then the other for greater stability.
Gently lean forward and push your weaker leg forward before sitting down slowly.
Going Up or Down a Single Step or Curb
Take special care when negotiating a curb and ask for help if necessary.
To go up a step:
Stand firmly with one leg behind you and reach for the bar on the rollator.
Pull the bar back to tip the rollator backward just a little bit. The front two wheels should go up onto the step.
Walk the rollator forward and bring the back two wheels up so all four wheels rest on the top of the step.
Step up with your strongest leg and bring the weaker leg up to meet it.
To go down a step:
Roll the walker as close as you can to the edge of the step without it falling off.
Push it forward so the front two wheels touch the ground.
Push the rollator forward so all four wheels touch the ground.
Squeeze the brakes and step down slowly.
Types of Wheeled Walkers
There are two main types of walkers with wheels—or rollators—to choose from that differ from traditional walkers with four rubber tips. To move forward using a walker with wheels, you only need to push it forward to advance. This is different from more traditional walkers without wheels that you need to lift and place in front of you to move forward.
Your physical therapist, doctor, and/or surgeon (if relevant) can advise you on the best type of walker to help you with your personal needs, taking your condition and level of mobility into account. The main two options are:
A front-wheeled walker with two wheels
A 4-wheeled walker
Most walkers are foldable to facilitate easy transportation when you are out and about in Denver, Colorado, or the neighborhood where you live. Some walkers also come with brakes, a carrying basket, or even a sitting bench for increased comfort.
Tips When Using a Wheeled Walker
A 2023 study into the safety of mobility devices like rollators concluded that “many mobility-assistive device injuries may be preventable through patient and caregiver education.” Understanding how to use any mobility device correctly—including how to walk with a cane or a wheeled walker—is crucial to preventing injuries when using them.
Take the following into account when using a walker:
All wheels—whether your walker has two or four wheels—must touch the ground before you put your weight on it.
Always look forward while you're walking; don't look down at your feet while using your walker. This will allow you to see any hazards or obstacles in your way.
Ensure your walker is at the right height for you. The handles of your walker should be in line with your hips, with your elbows slightly bent as you grip the handles. Your physical therapist or a mobility device expert in our showroom in Denver, Colorado, can help you adjust your walker’s height.
Do not attempt to go up or down stairs with a wheeled walker unless you've received special training. Stairlifts and vertical platform lifts are much safer options for moving between the levels in your home.
Key Safety Tips
Take the following into account to prevent falls:
Safety at Home
Tape loose rugs or cords to the floor to prevent trips.
Dispose of or tidy any clutter around the house.
Wear shoes or slippers with non-slip soles.
Keep your floors clean and dry to prevent slips.
Safety Out and About
Maintain space between your body and the walker and keep your toes within the bounds of the walker. If you step too close to the front or wheels, you could lose balance.
Check the wheels on your walker and the tips (if applicable) and replace them when they're worn out.
Attach a basket or bag to the walker to hold your belongings so that you can keep both hands on the walker at all times.
Other Tips
If you're reliant on a walker long-term, it may be worth investing in a chair with armrests to make sitting and standing easier at home. A recliner lift chair is a great option to get you up and down safely.
Get in touch with your primary health provider or therapist if you're having trouble using your walker.
Stay Safe, Comfortable, and Mobile
Using a walker is an easy and cost-effective way to stay mobile after an accident, surgery, or when you become less able to walk. Many people find that a walker is enough to give them the confidence to continue to enjoy their everyday activities.
When starting out with a walker, make sure you know how to use it safely and effectively. Always ask for help from your health provider or physical therapist if you have any questions.