Is it time to consider a mobility device?
What to look for, what to ask, and how to think about it
There’s a moment many people with arthritis recognize. Before heading out for an appointment or to run errands, you pause to think it through. How far is the entrance? Are there stairs? Will I need to stop and rest?
If those questions are becoming part of your routine, it may be time to consider whether extra support could make daily life easier.
Recognizing the signs
Knowing when to consider a mobility device isn’t always straightforward. Changes in mobility often happen gradually, and it’s easy to adapt without realizing how much things have shifted.
Tallara Tuck, an occupational therapist with the Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program (AREP), works closely with people living with arthritis, explains, “The goal isn’t to make you dependent on equipment. It’s to keep you doing what matters to you — safely, and with less pain.”
One of the clearest physical signs is walking with a limp. Whether it’s caused by pain, muscle weakness, or joint instability, limping changes how your body distributes weight. Over time, that extra strain can affect your feet, knees, hips, and back, leading to more discomfort and fatigue. “Even a temporary limp, perhaps while waiting for joint surgery, is worth addressing with the right mobility support,” says Tallara.
Other signs to pay attention to:
- One or more falls in the past year
- Reaching for furniture, walls, or counters to steady yourself while walking
- Feeling hesitant or anxious in crowds, on stairs, or on uneven ground
- Swaying when standing still or difficulty turning
- Shorter, shuffling steps or a noticeable decrease in walking speed
- Joint pain that consistently limits how far or how long you can walk
- Avoiding tasks like grocery shopping because carrying items feels unsafe
- Pushing through pain in public to appear fine
Taken together, these changes often point to the same thing: your body is working harder than it should to keep you moving.
Common mobility aids and what they do
Mobility devices are designed to reduce strain, improve stability, and help you move more efficiently. “The right choice depends on your needs,” says Tallara. “This includes which joints are affected, your balance, and what your hands can comfortably manage.”
Different types of mobility aids are:
- Cane: Reduces stress on hips, knees, and ankles while improving balance. Allows the joint to move without bearing full body weight. Proper height and handle style matter for comfort and effectiveness.
- Walking poles: Used in pairs to distribute weight across the body, offering relief to multiple joints simultaneously. Particularly helpful outdoors and on uneven terrain.
- Forearm crutches: Provide more support than a cane and are useful when several joints are affected. The forearm cuff reduces the need for grip strength, which helps when hands or wrists are painful.
- Walkers and rollators: Offer a higher level of stability, particularly during flare-ups. Rollators (with wheels and a built-in seat) reduce the need to lift the device and allow you to rest when needed, which can help manage fatigue.
- Manual wheelchair: Eliminates weight-bearing on lower joints entirely. Best suited for those who have assistance available, as self-propelling can strain the wrists and shoulders over time.
- Power wheelchair: A good option when arthritis affects both upper and lower limbs. Significantly reduces physical effort and helps conserve energy throughout the day.
Tips for talking to your healthcare provider
If you’re thinking about using a mobility device, an occupational therapist or physiotherapist can help you find the right fit.
Tallara recommends being prepared with a few key questions:
- Is this something I’ll use temporarily or long-term?
- What mobility aid fits my daily routine and home environment?
- How heavy is it, and how does it fold or transport?
- Will I be able to grip the handles and use the brakes comfortably?
- Are there adaptations available if my hands are stiff or sore?
- What are my options if my bathroom door is very narrow?
- What funding options are available to help cover the cost? How do I access them?
“Small details like the seat and handle height or wheel size can make a difference in how comfortable and effective the device is for you,” she says.
Rethinking what a mobility device means
For many people, the biggest barrier isn’t physical. It’s how the device is perceived.
Tallara sees this often and encourages her patients to think about it differently. “Using a mobility aid means you are smart about protecting your joints for the long term.”
Mobility devices are tools. They reduce pain during movement, improve safety, and help conserve energy for the parts of life that matter most to you. As Tallara puts it: “Less pain during movement means more energy for the things you enjoy.”
For some, it also helps to shift the language slightly. “Instead of thinking I need a walker now, it can feel different to say I have a tool that helps me keep going,” says Tallara. “That shift doesn’t change your condition, but it can change how you move forward with more support, more confidence, and fewer limitations.”
To learn more about arthritis pain management and assistive devices, visit Arthritis Society Canada’s assistive devices resource.
