Walker modification for ventilator-assisted individuals. Case report.
A case is presented of a 53-yr-old ambulatory ventilator-dependent individual who demonstrated that functional ambulation could be possible with a modified rolling walker. The patient used intermittent positive pressure ventilation delivered by noninvasive methods 24 h a day. For potentially ambulatory ventilator users, intensive rehabilitation and the use of a modified walker can improve medical, psychological and social status and permit the resumption of vocational activities. Mouth intermittent positive pressure ventilation is the method of choice for daytime ventilatory support during ambulation for individuals with severe chronic alveolar hypoventilation because of predominantly restrictive pulmonary syndromes.
Kirshblum
S C
SC
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-The New Jersey Medical School, Newark.
Bach
J R
JR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007385:Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014853:Walkers