WALKER USER RISK INDEX - A METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING STABILITY IN WALKERUSERS

A method for quantifying the stability of a patient using a walking fr ame is presented. Data collected from a walker-dependent patient recov ering from surgical amputation of his right leg were used to demonstra te the derivation and interpretation of a proposed walker user risk in dex (WURI). WURI curves express risk to the walker user in terms of ho w much the upper extremities contribute to overall patient support. Th e WURI analysis of the walker stride presented here quantified the exp ected clinical impression that this patient was least reliant on the w alker immediately after the advance of his prosthetic leg and most rel iant when standing on his prosthesis and swinging his nonamputated leg . The analysis also revealed unexpectedly high upper body loads and sp ecific phases in the gait cycle where the patient's balance was at ris k.