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Upright Rollator For Upright Posture and Walking Longer Before Tiring

Posted by LongLumbarFusion @jbesr1230, Jun 24 6:20pm

I have a posture condition, Camptocormia, which causes me to bend forward at the waist. I am thinking an upright rollator might assist in achieving a more upright posture and enable me to walk longer distances before experiencing fatigue. I would appreciate hearing from others with experience or thoughts about this. More detailed discussion below,

Over the past two years, I have observed a notable change in a forward bend when walking. I spend a lot of my walk looking at my feet.

In 2020, after 4 years of PT, shots at the L1 level, pain pills- Gabapentin, Tramadol, I had an L5-S1 ALIF for lumbar stenosis, sciatic pain, and a left foot drop. This procedure immediately and significantly reduced my sciatic pain; however, it did not improve my left-foot drop. I spent one day in the hospital and walked outside, not far, 5 days later. An excellent outcome.

Now, when I go out for my 30-minute walk, I wear an AFO brace on my left foot, an LSO brace for my back, and use walking sticks. I am very bent forward, which is new. I do not use the braces indoors, and I do not have radicular or myelopathic symptoms at present.

I often use my hands and available furniture when ambulating to keep from stumbling and/or to straighten up my posture. I cannot maintain an upright posture without assistance for more than a few moments. I can straighten up, somewhat, by placing my hands on my hips and pushing back & down, or holding my arms straight, and behind my back, raised high, and clasping my hands together. My most comfortable position is pushing a grocery store cart. I am asymptomatic at rest - I can lie flat on my back and stomach without pain or difficulty. I have had many tests and imaging to find the cause of my symptoms. Recently, I was referred to a neurologist who is evaluating me for Parkinson's Disease ( I do not have), Muscular Dystrophy; the panel came back negative, but there are more tests yet to be completed. I am undergoing tests specifically for camptocormia, also known as Bent Back Syndrome.
The tests will likely find no abnormalities, and I will be advised once again that I have a serious illness/disease/symptom for which there is currently no treatment available.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 26 10:52am

@jbesr1230
I hope someone will see your post who has first-hand experience, because mine is second-hand, based on several conversations with friends who use rollators.
Here are some of their observations:
Couple in their 80's - one with severe mobility issues due to severe hip injury, the other with progressive disabilities from several falls and surgeries while farming - they chose rollators to maintain upright bearing and to limit stress on hands and wrists from traditional walkers (which they still use indoors) They are able to navigate long walks with much less fatigue, even taking a daily one mile walk on flat but unpaved terrain most days. Walking with a traditional walker or canes was less than 1/4 mile. Has allowed us to participate in activities that were previously out of reach. The biggest downside is the size and weight for transporting, but if you have the means, there is a lighter weight folding one available.
Female friend over 90 with severe kyphosis - able to move well enough to leave apartment with upright walker for short walks, otherwise confined to a scooter.
Male friend in his 70's with neuropathy and a bad knee - being able to put weight on forearms and be upright allows walking without fear of falls that happened with walker.

Like I said - these are observational, but if I should need a walker, I will look at an upright one because I have arthritis and cannot grip a traditional walker.

REPLY
1 reply
LongLumbarFusion | @jbesr1230 | Jun 26 11:03am
In reply to @sueinmn "@jbesr1230 I hope someone will see your post who has first-hand experience, because mine is second-hand,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@jbesr1230
I hope someone will see your post who has first-hand experience, because mine is second-hand, based on several conversations with friends who use rollators.
Here are some of their observations:
Couple in their 80's - one with severe mobility issues due to severe hip injury, the other with progressive disabilities from several falls and surgeries while farming - they chose rollators to maintain upright bearing and to limit stress on hands and wrists from traditional walkers (which they still use indoors) They are able to navigate long walks with much less fatigue, even taking a daily one mile walk on flat but unpaved terrain most days. Walking with a traditional walker or canes was less than 1/4 mile. Has allowed us to participate in activities that were previously out of reach. The biggest downside is the size and weight for transporting, but if you have the means, there is a lighter weight folding one available.
Female friend over 90 with severe kyphosis - able to move well enough to leave apartment with upright walker for short walks, otherwise confined to a scooter.
Male friend in his 70's with neuropathy and a bad knee - being able to put weight on forearms and be upright allows walking without fear of falls that happened with walker.

Like I said - these are observational, but if I should need a walker, I will look at an upright one because I have arthritis and cannot grip a traditional walker.

Jump to this post

Thank you. I find anecdotal evidence very helpful. I forgot to mention I am male 75y/o. Is kyphosis of the lumbar spine, where it should be lordosis, considered scoliosis?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jun 26 11:35am
In reply to @jbesr1230 "Thank you. I find anecdotal evidence very helpful. I forgot to mention I am male 75y/o...." + (show)
@jbesr1230

Thank you. I find anecdotal evidence very helpful. I forgot to mention I am male 75y/o. Is kyphosis of the lumbar spine, where it should be lordosis, considered scoliosis?

Jump to this post

It is in the upper/mid spine - in this case a complication of scoliosis and osteoporosis

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 26 11:36am

@jbesr1230, I'm 82 and also have much difficulty walking any further than a city block due to my lower back and forward leaning. I haven't been diagnosed with camptocormia but have had PT but it hasn't helped much. I have been thinking about a rollator specifically so I could go on longer walks in our neighborhood. I've also thought one of those Alinker walking bikes which would cost a lot more than a rollator but may provide more freedom when walking. There is a discussion on the Alinker if you want to learn more about it.
-- Has anyone had experience with the Alinker walking bike?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-experience-with-the-alinker-walking-bike/
I currently use trekking poles if it's nice outside and I want to walk a little further.

REPLY
LongLumbarFusion | @jbesr1230 | Jun 26 12:32pm
In reply to @sueinmn "It is in the upper/mid spine - in this case a complication of scoliosis and osteoporosis" + (show)
@sueinmn

It is in the upper/mid spine - in this case a complication of scoliosis and osteoporosis

Jump to this post

My kyphosis is in the lumbar spine, so my lumbar segments are poking out from my back. There are other issues also. More accurately, perhaps I have a flat back or Bent Back Syndrome. Would treatments for sideward scoliosis also apply to my situation?

REPLY
gratefulbob | @gratefulbob | Jun 26 12:38pm

A lot of rollators require bending at the waist particularly if you are tall. This is one of the few rollators that allow tall people to use it without bending over
https://www.amazon.com/KMINA-PRO-Rollator-approx-Walkers/dp/B0913JMMM3?ref_=ast_sto_dp

REPLY
celia16 | @celia16 | Jun 28 8:50pm

I saw a lady at the gym who had sn upright rollstor. I thought it looked ideal for both my parents as they both have mobility issues. I asked my mom’s physical therapist about it for her and he said it had some negatives and he wouldn’t recommend it for my mom. I can’t recall all he said, but I was disappointed. I do recall the size and weight of transporting the device was one factor and another was strain on the arms.

REPLY
dennymt | @dennymt | Jun 29 7:53am

I too have mobility issues. I have had good success using my rollator. It's a byAcre ultralight. Weighs only 10 pounds, folds easily to fit in back seat or trunk, has a seat and a travel case so it can fly with you. Just got back from 6 weeks in Europe, and it made all the difference! Byacre.com

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