Rollators Aid Those Recovering From Back Surgery

Rollators are perfect for seniors with limited mobility who want to maintain an active lifestyle. But that’s not all they’re good for. They can also help those recovering from back surgery.

According to Texas State University professor Paul Ruffin, “The rollator, to my way of thinking, is the single most important tool you are going to need while you heal up [from back surgery]… You can walk all you want to without fear of falling or tiring out and being unable to get back to where you began.”

A rollator is a walker with wheels at the bottom of each of its legs. Though they don’t offer as much stability as a traditional walker, rollators enable users to move much freer and quicker. Rollators can be split into two main categories—3 wheel rollators and 4 wheel rollators.

3 wheel rollators are narrower and have a shorter turning radius, so they’re perfect for navigating small halls, small bathrooms or other indoor obstacles. They’re also lighter and therefore easier to travel with, although this might not matter as much for a recovering patient who’s only using the device short term.

4 wheel rollators, however, offer users a rest seat for when they get worn out—not a bad idea for someone recovering from back surgery.

Whichever option you choose, a rollator can help you get the exercise you need to recover quickly and make the in-between time simpler and more enjoyable.