Walker (tool)
Encyclopedia : W : WA : WAL : Walker (tool)
A walker is a tool for disabled people who need to lean on something to maintain balance or stability while walking. It consists of a frame that is about waist high. It is slightly wider than the person and it is about twelve inches deep. The person walks with the frame surrounding their front and sides and their hands provide additional support by holding on to the top of the sides of the frame. The front two legs of the walker may have wheels or not depending on the strength and abilities of the person using it. A walker is a good tool for those who are recuperating from leg or back injuries.
Speakers of British English often call a walker a "Zimmer Frame." That term is a trademark of [Zimmer, Inc.], a manufacturer of walkers and joint replacement parts.
All models should be checked regularly for safety.
New studies show that a baby walker will not help babies learn to walk and may actually delay walking. Walkers work by supporting a baby's weight and keeping them upright while allowing them to stand on their toes to move the device along the floor. The baby sits in a harness in the center of a frame, and the frame supports the baby on a wheeled base. There are many reports internationally of children being injured when using this type of product.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has [called for a ban] on the manufacture and sale of baby walkers due to the number of injuries caused by the devices. Currently, baby walkers are illegal in Canada.
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.