Crutches for Kids / Pediatric Walkers, Gait Trainers & More

At AvaCare Medical, we offer several options of pediatric walking aids that are suitable for young individuals, in a variety of sizes. We also carry plenty of accessories, such as harnesses and hand grips, so that you can customize the walking aid as much as possible for your child.

Pediatric Walker

Some children do possess considerable upper and lower body strength, yet they still need some support in order to walk. These children can benefit from a youth walker, which gives them more independence than a pediatric wheelchair.

Posterior Walkers vs. Anterior Walkers

Anterior walkers are more common; an anterior walker is placed in front the individual while walking. In contrast, a pediatric posterior walker, also called a reverse walker, is placed behind the user. Although anterior walkers are more frequently used, posterior walkers promote better posture and can help the child to develop a more natural gait.

Wheels: With or Without?

Pediatric walkers are designed with or without front wheels.

Standard youth walkers, which don’t come with wheels, provide more stability than a wheeled walker will, but it requires the child to first lift his walker slightly and bring it forward with his arms each time he wants to take a step.

Two wheel walkers have a wheel on each of the two front posts, and two rubber-tipped rear posts. They are easier to move than standard walkers, and more stable than wheeled walkers.

Whether your child should use a standard or 2 wheeled walker (or a rollator) usually depends largely on his individual mobility skills and physical strength. Consult your child’s doctor for a professional opinion on which walker will suit his needs.

Pediatric Rollators

Pediatric rolling walkers, also called junior rollators, don’t require lifting in order to take a step; their four wheels enable them to be gently pushed. They provide a smooth mode of transportation for children who cannot walk on their own. Make sure the child doesn’t let the walker move too far away in front of him while walking.

A rollator is for a child who can bear weight, and is able to walk but gets tired easily from doing so. It also provides assistance for those who require balance support. The wheels of a rollator have brakes, and the rollator features a seat (unless its 3-wheeled), so that a child can stop walking and sit down to regain his strength.

Junior rolling walkers provide less stability but are easier to push than standard walkers. They are only for kids who have some mobility skill, and just need a little extra support.

Pediatric Gait Trainers

A pediatric gait trainer is used to help teach a child to walk. It helps the child develop muscle, and improves walking ability and gait. They have a seat which allows a child to sit when necessary. Gait trainers can also often feature a harness and head attachments.

A gait trainer is usually either posterior or anterior, although certain gait trainers can be used either way.

The difference between a pediatric walker and a gait trainer is that a walker is used by children who have some mobility skill, and just need extra support; these kids can take steps and hold weight, while gait trainers are used when a child cannot do even that.

Crutches for Kids

These are crutches for kids whose legs provide inadequate strength to support their weight. They are also used following a leg injury, when a child needs to keep the weight off the injured leg in order to enable it to recover properly. Children’s crutches should only be used by children over 7 years of age. It is unsafe for children below that age to utilize crutches as a means of ambulatory assistance.

Depending on your child’s age, mobility skill, walking ability and physical strength, you can discuss with your child’s doctor which of these aids are best for his or her needs.