Folding Walking Frames: A Buying Guide for Families

What a walking frame is, and what it is not

A basic walking frame is a lightweight metal frame, usually aluminium, with a U-shaped front and four legs. It is held with both hands. The user lifts the frame a short step forward, places all four feet on the floor, then steps into the frame with the weaker leg first and the stronger leg after. A folding frame has hinged sides that collapse flat, so it fits into a car boot or behind a door.

It is not the same as a two-wheeled walker, which has wheels on the front legs and rolls forward without being lifted, and it is not the same as a rollator, which has four wheels, brakes and usually a seat. Both of those are easier to move, but a plain frame is the steadiest when someone must lean on it. Our guides on two-wheeled walkers and rollators explain the differences, and stick or walker helps decide if a frame is the right level of support.

Who a walking frame suits

• People recovering from hip, knee or spine surgery, when a surgeon or physiotherapist has advised full or partial support.
• People who are weak after a long illness or hospital stay.
• Older adults who are unsteady on both sides, including those with arthritis in both knees.
• People with fractures who must keep weight off one leg.
• Anyone who has fallen and needs more support than a stick can give.

A plain frame is less suitable for people who cannot lift it, who have weak arms or hands, who walk long distances outdoors or who need to rest often. For them a wheeled walker or a rollator is a better fit. And if your parent cannot stand or bear weight at all, a walker is not enough; a wheelchair or a clinical review is needed.

Step one: check the weight limit

Every frame has a maximum user weight, often 100 to 136 kg for standard models and higher for heavy-duty ones. Choose a frame well above your parent's weight, because pushing down on the grips during a stumble puts more force through the frame than body weight alone. Read the label or the supplier's specification, and do not rely on appearance. A very cheap, very light frame may be rated for much less.

Step two: get the height right

Frame height is as important as stick height. To check it:

• Have your parent stand upright in their normal walking shoes with arms hanging loosely.
• The hand grips should sit level with the wrist crease.
• With hands on the grips, the elbows should bend about 20 to 30 degrees.
• The shoulders should be level and relaxed, not hunched up or pulled down.

A frame that is too tall pushes the shoulders up and the user cannot press down through the arms. A frame that is too short makes them stoop, which strains the back and shifts their weight forward, which is dangerous. Most frames adjust in 2.5 cm steps by pressing a push-pin through holes in the legs, and the legs must be set to the same height. Check that all four pins are fully seated, since a half-engaged pin can collapse under load. The full fitting method is the same as for sticks; see how to measure and set the height of a walking stick for the wrist-crease method.

Step three: width and the Indian home

Standard adult frames are about 55 to 65 cm wide across the outside and 45 to 50 cm wide inside. They need a clear opening of about 70 to 75 cm to pass through comfortably. Many older Indian homes have bathroom doors 60 to 70 cm wide, bedroom doors around 75 to 80 cm and corridors or lobbies with furniture in the way. Before you buy:

• Measure the narrowest doorway your parent will use, usually the bathroom.
• Check the space beside the bed and the toilet.
• Note thresholds and steps; a frame cannot go over a raised step without being lifted.
• Consider a narrow frame or a folding frame that can be used sideways through a tight door.

If the bathroom door is too narrow, a frame will stop at the threshold, and your parent may try to hold the wall instead, which is a fall risk. In that case it may be safer to use a commode chair or to widen the door; see commode chairs.

Step four: look at the grips, feet and frame

Hand grips. Soft, contoured grips are kinder to arthritic hands than hard plastic tubes. Check they are firmly fixed and not twisting. People with weak grip may find a wider handle easier to hold.

Rubber feet. The four rubber feet are the only contact with the floor. They should be wide, ribbed and in good condition, and the same height. Worn or cracked feet slip on polished floors. Replace them as a set. See the notes on rubber tips, which apply to frame feet too.

Folding mechanism. Press the release and fold the frame. It should fold smoothly and lock firmly when opened, with no wobble. Rock the frame on a flat floor: it should not rock or twist.

Frame material. Aluminium is light and rust-proof, important in humid cities. Powder-coated steel is heavier but sturdier. Check welds and finish.

Weight of the frame. A frame that weighs more than a few kilograms is hard to lift for someone with weak arms. Typical aluminium frames weigh 2 to 3 kg.

Optional extras

• Front wheels or glide caps. Some frames can take front wheels, turning them into a two-wheeled walker, or glide caps for smoother sliding on hard floors. Ask a physiotherapist before changing the set-up.
• A bag or tray. A clip-on bag or tray lets a user carry a cup or small items safely. Keep the load light and balanced, since a heavy bag can tip the frame.
• A seat. A frame with a seat is closer to a rollator; check that it is designed for sitting and has locks.

How to use a walking frame

The technique is simple but needs care, and families should learn it before the first outing.

1. Stand inside the frame, with hands on the grips and the frame's front bar ahead. 2. Lift or push the frame forward about a short step, keeping all four feet on the floor. 3. Step forward with the weaker leg into the frame. 4. Bring the stronger leg forward to join it. 5. Repeat, looking ahead, not at the feet.

Do not step too far into the frame, which tips it back towards the user, or leave the frame too far ahead, which pulls the user forward. Do not use a frame on stairs. Use a handrail, a stair lift or a second frame at the top. For a step-by-step guide, read how to use a walking frame correctly.

Standing up and sitting down

Many falls with frames happen when standing up or sitting down. Never pull up on the frame: it can tip. Stand up first, using the chair arms or seat edge, and then take hold of the frame. When sitting, back up until the legs touch the chair, reach back for the arms with both hands one at a time, then lower slowly. A firm chair with arms and a seat height of about 45 to 50 cm is easiest. For help with the technique see helping an elderly parent stand from a chair.

What to avoid

• Hand-me-down frames that were set for someone else and have loose pins or worn feet.
• Very cheap frames with thin tubing, poor welds or a low weight rating.
• Using the frame on uneven ground. Cobbles, gravel and grass tip it.
• Using a frame as a support for rising. It can slip.
• Overloading the frame with bags or hanging items.
• Leaving it unfolded across a doorway, where it is a trip hazard.

Buying, renting and maintenance

For a short recovery, such as six to twelve weeks after a hip or knee operation, renting a frame can make sense. For long-term use, buy one set to your parent's height. See renting or buying a wheelchair for general advice on rent versus buy, which also applies to frames. Whatever you choose:

• Check feet and pins monthly.
• Wipe the frame clean, especially in the monsoon, and dry it.
• Replace the frame if tubes are bent or cracked or any welds show cracks.
• Keep a spare set of feet.
• Store the frame in a dry place, not outdoors.

When to ask a professional

A physiotherapist can recommend the right type of frame, set the height and teach the correct technique, and this is particularly important after surgery or a fracture. Ask for a professional assessment if your parent has had a recent fall, feels dizzy, has pain in the legs or hips on walking, or has sudden weakness. An aid is only part of the answer; strength, balance, medicines and eyesight all matter.