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What is a Posterior Walker, Why Are they Awesome, and Why Don’t Adults Use Them?

No, the posterior walker is not the term for someone who prefers to walk backwards. It is an assistive device, as pictured, that most people associate with little kids affected by cerebral palsy and related conditions. But why not adults? The truth is, and this sweet smut is coming straight from the fingertips of an experienced PTA, that most hospitals and rehab clinics have become complacent with the way things are as it regards assistive devices. Post-op patients in early recovery are given standard or front-wheeled walkers and posterior walkers are for kids, that’s it. But why? As gripping of a mystery as this is, we can’t ask why before we even know what.

What is a Posterior Walker?

A posterior walker, hence the picture, is that which is designed for use behind the user instead of in front. They are used almost exclusively by pediatric populations, especially kids with cerebral palsy, to provide support during gait. (You’ve probably heard of cerebral palsy; this condition starts at birth and is accompanied by varying degrees of muscle spasticity or flaccidity, coordination deficits, and other problems.) A posterior walker can also be used for other musculoskeletal and/or developmental conditions to provide support. For obvious reasons, these walkers are all 4-wheeled. Them’s the basics. But why posterior walkers? What advantages do they offer over their counterparts?

Why are they Awesome?

First and most importantly, the posterior rolling walker is much, much better at encouraging upright posture throughout the gait cycle. I know this is a bit of a departure, but think about it: When you are sitting at the bar after a long day at work, where do your elbows eventually end up? Why, on the bar, of course! We, humans, love to hunch forward, especially if we are tired, in pain or lacking strength, and an anterior walker is the ultimate enabler of this habit because of its position during gait. A posterior walker, on the other hand, forces you to stand up straight. Another issue with anterior walkers that can be fixed by using a posterior setup involves the Parkinson’s population. Parkinson’s patients often display a tendency known as festinating gait. The anterior setup would worsen this problem by enabling the user to lean farther forward with each short, choppy step instead of forcing an upright or mostly upright position. Finally, posterior walkers have been proven to increase both stride length and speed.

Our Top Picks – Okay, we get it, posterior walkers are awesome. But what do they look like? How much are they?

The Wenzelite Nimbo posterior walker has been consistently reviewed as one of the toughest and most versatile posterior walkers in the market for a number of reasons. First, the Nimbo is adjustable to different heights. This may seem like a “big whoop” but in actuality, it is surprisingly rare to find posterior walkers of adjustable height. Next, it offers a number of safety features that can be turned off to accommodate more functional users. The rear wheels can be set to lock in reverse to prevent falling backwards, or they can be set to move in both directions freely. Also, the front wheels can be allowed to swivel freely or stay on a straight course. From a physical therapist’s standpoint, this is huge – not only does this ability to adjust settings extend a welcoming hand to a larger audience, but it allows for a single user to progress their independence level. It is this forward-thinking mentality, paired with impeccable design, that makes us proud to recommend this walker.