Mobility aids can make a difference between dependence and independence for patients with physical limitations caused by arthritis. With arthritis, mobility and walking can be significantly impaired. Arthritis and other related conditions are recognized as the leading cause of disability in the United States. Of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis, over 17 million or 38 percent report activity limitations attributable to arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Over 6 million adults in the United States report that they have significant limitations when walking a quarter mile. People who live with joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling, and damage to weightbearing joints (i.e., hip, knee, ankle, foot) caused by arthritis have mobility issues which affect their ability to work and perform common daily tasks.

For some people with arthritis, it's hard to concede that mobility aids are needed. Addressing mobility issues can get people out into the world again and enjoying life, a vast difference from being homebound. There are many mobility aids available for people with arthritis. It's important to know how to pick the right cane, walker, wheelchair, mobility scooter, or any mobility aid that can help give you the stability you need. Here's what you should know before you buy a mobility aid for arthritis. Read more in Mobility Aids: What You Need to Know.

Related Resources:

• Assistive Devices / Mobility Equipment
• Arthritis Affects Daily Living Activities
• Do You Use Joint Protection Techniques?
• 10 Cooking Tips for People With Arthritis
• Knee Braces Help Painful Osteoarthritis of the Knee

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