What is a key safety teaching when a patient uses a walker?

• A. Walker should extend from floor to hip joint with 30-degree elbow flexion
• B. Elbows at 90 degrees
• C. Walker height at shoulder
• D. Use walker only with supervision

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that a walker must be fitted so you can use it with good posture and control. When the handgrips are at shoulder height, your body stays upright and your elbows have a comfortable slight bend. This setup lets you push down and forward to move, providing stability and reducing the tendency to lean or hunch over—both of which can increase the risk of losing balance or falling. If the height is off, you end up stooping or reaching, which strains the back and shoulders and makes walking less safe. A comfortable, slight elbow bend is better than a rigid 90-degree angle or an overly straight arm, because it keeps you able to apply force efficiently through the arms. Supervision is important when learning, but the key safety practice for using a walker is setting it so the handgrips align with shoulder height.