What is a zimmer frame?
Zimmer frames, also known as walkers or walking frames, are mobility aids designed to help individuals with limited mobility to move around more safely and independently. They consist of a lightweight, metal or plastic frame with four legs and rubber feet for stability.
Why is it called a zimmer frame?
The term ‘zimmer frame’ was once used to describe specific walking aids manufactured and sold by the Zimmer Biomet brand. This American company was the first to produce walking frames that were significantly more advanced than past models, meaning that, before long, zimmer Biomet ‘zimmer’ frames were the most popular walking aids around.
Their widespread use throughout the 20th and 21st centuries led to the term ‘zimmer frame’ becoming a generic term that describes all kinds of walkers. It is used interchangeably with ‘walking frames’ and ‘walkers’, meaning that, more often than not, all these words refer to the same product.
While this may get confusing, it’s not uncommon in the advertising world.
The same phenomenon has occurred with other products, like adhesive tape and pain relief medication. The brand names ‘Sellotape’ and ‘Aspirin’ are commonly used as umbrella terms for manufacturers who produce exactly the same things!
How do zimmer frames work?
Zimmer frames are such effective mobility aids because they provide multiple contact points with the floor. They have comfortable handles which the user grips as they walk and four legs that touch the ground.
Depending on your preferences and mobility, you can purchase zimmer frames with two rubber ferrules and two-wheel attachments, no wheels or four wheels! The choice is yours.
For example, here at Millercare, all-ferrule zimmer frames, like the Coopers Domestic Walking Frame, are ideal for users who need a mobility aid for indoor use. If you’re an avid traveller, models like the EZ Fold n Go Walker will better suit your adventures.
Or, if you need a four-wheeled zimmer frame that users can take indoors, outdoors and even in the shower, premium products like the Topro Taurus Walker Hydraulic are ideal for domestic and care environments.
One thing that’s for sure is they provide users with an unmatched level of comfort and balance as they use their zimmer frame. By creating a wide area of support, they allow the users to move independently with extra stability.