Design and use of improved walking aids

The design of crutches and walking sticks to assist the disabled has not varied much since their original conception, some 5000 years ago. From an engineering viewpoint one must consider crutches and walking sticks as dynamic mechanical systems which alleviate a disability; they may act as supports, help the user to recover from stumbling, or transmit from the arms, the energy required to lift the feet from the ground, an action not provided by artificial ankle joints. We describe some dynamic walking aids recently developed at the Instituto de Mecánica Aplicada, and discuss their design and our experience with their use. They are adjustable in height, shock absorbing and have non-slipping tips. Specially developed aids have been designed for children; they are versatile and their use has been made psychologically attractive.