walker /wô″kər/ [AS, wealcan, to roam] , 1. an assistive device made of metal tubing, used to aid a patient in walking. It has four widely placed, sturdy legs. The patient holds onto the walker and takes a step with each leg and then moves the walker forward and takes another step with each leg. Wheeled walkers have wheels on the rear two legs or on all four legs. A walker can be used by an individual with a lower extremity that is full, partial, or non–weight-bearing. It should be used only on flat, level surfaces. The walker is considered the most stable of the ambulatory assistive devices. Compare crutch. 2. A small, rubber or plastic heel attached to the bottom of a walking cast to prevent the cast from slipping on hard surfaces. Also called walking heel.
