Who might use a Gait Trainer?

Almost anyone with mobility difficulties who can initiate a stepping motion or who has the potentional to initiate a stepping motion might benefit from the use of a gait trainer.

These conditions include:

• Cerebral palsy.

• Spina bifida.

• Rett syndrome.

• Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS)

• SWAN - Syndrome Without A Name.

• Other diagnosed and non-diagnosed conditions which cause neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. 

Choosing a Walker or Gait Corrector.

When choosing a gait trainer for your disabled child, consider factors like the child's needs, the type of support required (anterior or posterior), and the environment where it will be used, ensuring it's adjustable, safe, and promotes independence.

Here's a more detailed breakdown to help you make an informed decision:

1. Child's Needs and Abilities:

• Level of Support:

  Determine how much support your child needs to stand and walk.Some may need minimal support, while others require significant assistance.

  
  

• Motivation:

  Is your child motivated to walk and explore?A gait trainer can be a tool to promote independence and participation.

  
  

• Stepping Pattern:

  Does your child have a natural stepping pattern, or are there issues with increased tone or scissoring of the legs?

  
  

• Head Control:

  Does your child have good head control?This is important for stability and safety.

  
  

• Growth:

  How quickly is your child growing?Choose a model that can accommodate their growth and ensure long-term use.

  
  

2. Types of Gait Trainers:

• Anterior Gait Trainers:

  These are pushed in front of the child's body and are often easier to transfer into.

• Posterior Gait Trainers:

  These are pulled behind the child's body and encourage more upright posture.

• Hands-Free Walkers:

  These can promote arm swing and trunk rotation, as well as increased participation and inclusion.

• Rollators:

  These are similar to walkers but offer more support and can be used for longer distances.

  
  

3. Key Features to Look For:

• Adjustability:

  Choose a gait trainer that is highly adjustable to accommodate different ages and sizes.

  
  

• Support:

  Look for features like arm supports, pelvic support, and chest harnesses to help maintain proper posture and alignment.

  
  

• Wheeled Base:

  Most gait trainers have wheels for easy maneuverability and control over speed and direction.

  
  

• Safety:

  Consider safety features like extra padding, brakes, pelvic support, seat, and harness.

  
  

• Durability:

  Ensure the gait trainer is made from durable materials and is suitable for the intended environment (indoor or outdoor).

  
  

• Ease of Use:

  Choose a gait trainer that is easy to use and maneuver, both for the child and caregivers.

  
  

4. Consider the Environment:

• Indoor vs. Outdoor:

  Will the gait trainer be used primarily indoors or outdoors?Choose a model that is suitable for the intended environment.

• Surface:

  Consider the type of surfaces where the gait trainer will be used (e.g., carpet, smooth floors, outdoor terrain).

  
  

5. Consult with Professionals:

• Physical Therapists:They can assess your child's needs and recommend the most appropriate type of gait trainer.

• Assistive Technology Professionals:They can provide expertise in selecting and fitting gait trainers.

  
  

• What are the benefits of using a Gait Trainer?

  
  
  

  • Good for the digestive system.

  
  

  • Improved posture.

  
  

  • Improved circulation.

  
  

  • Better musculo-skeletal growth and bone mineral density.

  
  

  • Hip development. It is thought that standing can help develop the shape of the hip joint (which is a ball and socket joint) to be smooth and round.

  • Skin integrity.

  
  

  • Self esteem.

  
  

  • Social interaction - able to carry out activities at home/and or at school, with peers/siblings, at standing height and with hands free.

  
  

  • Independence.

  
  

  • Speech and respiratory system.

  
  

Benefits of using a gait Trainer such as a Hart Walker, either Classic or new style "Open Fronted" gait trainer.

• Our range of walkers provides an extremely powerful tool with a proven record in helping young people to enjoy the experience of stepping and walking. 
  

• If your a child is motivated to walk and has the ability to step unaided, our style of gait trainer could prove to be a good choice.

• Whether your child has a good stepping pattern or if they scissor due to increased tone or experiences other symptoms such as hyperextension at the knees or plantarflexion or dorsiflexion, we may be able to help with some of our clever solutions.

• Our exoskeletons are designed to promote natural movement and eradicate unnatural movements which in turn helps to encourage good posture and a good stepping pattern.

• We can add head restraints for lateral and rear support.  If you have a preference for an alternative head restrainst, we can look into adapting the preferred head restraint to add it to your child's walker.

• All of our exoskeletons are telescopically adjustable for growth, which means that they can last for several years, if used for their intended purpose and maintained in good order, cleaned and lubricated. 

• Our walkers tend to be more light-weight when compared to other devices on the market.  Other walkers tend not to have an exoskeleton.

• Our walkers have a dynamic suspension system, which means that in addition to moving forwards, rearwards, and sidewards, they walker works in synchronistion with the vertical motion of the user when taking each step.

• Our devices are modular in construction.  They can easily be assembled, disassembled, added to or parts taken away if not required.  They are adjustable with serviceable and repairable parts.
  

• We can add a front handle for the user to hold onto or a side handle for the device to be escorted.  We can add a chest harness or additional webbing straps to add support where required, such as the lower posterior or to support the lower abdomen to try and help reduce lordosis(excessive inward curve of the lower back) by improving pelvic alignment and core stability.

  
  

• For safety, we can add extra padding, a foot brake, additional supports and harnesses.   
  

• Our devices are robust yet highly manoeuvrable.

• Our devices are made from durable materials such as steel, aluminium, quality bearings and other materials and are fabricated and assembled to very high standards.

• Our All-terrain walkers, both Classic and new style, Open Arms, with 250mm diameter wheels are in a league of their own for motivated and energetic users when walking outdoors especially.

• Our classic style of device is lighterweight and highly manoeuvrable.

• We are happy to hold joint consultations and assessments to trial our device and decide whether it is suitable.