4 ms·

Not convinced. I have had mobility problems for some years, and the basic problem is not walking (though that is difficult, but I can sort of cope) but if I wer

Not convinced. I have had mobility problems for some years, and the basic problem is not walking (though that is difficult, but I can sort of cope) but if I were to fall down, could I get up again? I'm a large (6foot 2) and quite heavy man, and despite good intentions, most individuals could not get me on my feet after a fall. I use walking stick, frame and mobility scooter, but the fear of falling is always on my mind. In the bungalow (single storey) I live in I have improvised a ramp system to help me get up if I fall, and it does work fairly well, but obviously not outside on the street. Having supported (physically and mentally) my very wobbly mother up to her death, I can attest that it's falling, not walking that is problem that primarily needs to be addressed.

bobthepanda 5y ago
It sounds like you have a different problem than what the study authors are trying to address. Which is OK, there are a wide variety of mobility issues and few treatments are totally universal. This seems more useful for things like walking as part of physical rehab, which is fairly common.
- zabzonk 5y ago
  My Mum had two hip repacements and was given lots of rehab therapy regarding to walking, and she could walk more or less OK. But there was none regarding to falling over, which was her real problem.
  - ianai 5y ago
    It’s definitely known that balance matters a lot. I’ve seen many articles and media about the dangers of falls and balance. I wonder if though balance is something that needs to be addressed over a lifetime. It probably involves a huge number of muscles and systems that take years or a lifetime to develop.
  - bobthepanda 5y ago
    YMMV depending on the place. When I had an ACL replacement I spent a lot of time struggling on one-legged bosu ball balancing and doing ladder drills bouncing off the good and bad legs.
fattless 5y ago
Fair, but I think this is tackling a different issue. Pasting something I typed earlier. Ive recently had ACL surgery, and you essentially have to learn how to walk all over again, not to mention the pain and how little weight you can put onto it at first. In order to properly walk and run again, I used a treadmill with essentially a large bag on it which inflated, lifting you slightly. This put less weight on your legs, allowing you to walk and run with proper form and speed up recovery, it was crucial for me learning to run again. (It was an AlterG device btw) So this device can serve a similar purpose, it is addressing how people walk instead of general mobility. As the article states, its used on a treadmill, and it seems to only be trying to get these people walking However I understand your perspective, and sympathize. My mom has MS and has many of the same fears. We have found some ways to work around it. Maybe its just my dad being crafty, but some simple bars near ramps/high risk areas have seemed to help.
- zabzonk 5y ago
  > but some simple bars near ramps/high risk areas have seemed to help Yes, you are right, and my brother did install such things near loos and steps. Trouble is it gets to the point where you can't fix up such things everywhere, and you can't physically support loved one, like doorways. I don't know what an answer could be - an exoskeleton? Anyway, best wishes to you and your mom.

bobthepanda 5y ago

It sounds like you have a different problem than what the study authors are trying to address. Which is OK, there are a wide variety of mobility issues and few treatments are totally universal. This seems more useful for things like walking as part of physical rehab, which is fairly common.

zabzonk 5y ago
My Mum had two hip repacements and was given lots of rehab therapy regarding to walking, and she could walk more or less OK. But there was none regarding to falling over, which was her real problem.
- ianai 5y ago
  It’s definitely known that balance matters a lot. I’ve seen many articles and media about the dangers of falls and balance. I wonder if though balance is something that needs to be addressed over a lifetime. It probably involves a huge number of muscles and systems that take years or a lifetime to develop.
- bobthepanda 5y ago
  YMMV depending on the place. When I had an ACL replacement I spent a lot of time struggling on one-legged bosu ball balancing and doing ladder drills bouncing off the good and bad legs.

fattless 5y ago

Fair, but I think this is tackling a different issue. Pasting something I typed earlier. Ive recently had ACL surgery, and you essentially have to learn how to walk all over again, not to mention the pain and how little weight you can put onto it at first. In order to properly walk and run again, I used a treadmill with essentially a large bag on it which inflated, lifting you slightly. This put less weight on your legs, allowing you to walk and run with proper form and speed up recovery, it was crucial for me learning to run again. (It was an AlterG device btw) So this device can serve a similar purpose, it is addressing how people walk instead of general mobility. As the article states, its used on a treadmill, and it seems to only be trying to get these people walking However I understand your perspective, and sympathize. My mom has MS and has many of the same fears. We have found some ways to work around it. Maybe its just my dad being crafty, but some simple bars near ramps/high risk areas have seemed to help.

zabzonk 5y ago
> but some simple bars near ramps/high risk areas have seemed to help Yes, you are right, and my brother did install such things near loos and steps. Trouble is it gets to the point where you can't fix up such things everywhere, and you can't physically support loved one, like doorways. I don't know what an answer could be - an exoskeleton? Anyway, best wishes to you and your mom.