Tennis balls and a walker in the same sentence is one for the books. Well, there is a practical reason as to why people will use tennis balls on the bottom of their walker. The usual rubber tips on the bottom tend to wear so easily and quickly. Tennis balls have come to offer solution to this menace. Unlike the rubber tips, tennis balls offer a large surface area and increased traction. This enhances safety when moving around. Here is how to put tennis balls on a walker;

  1. Gather all the materials you need. You must have all the materials needed ready. These materials include;
  • Sharp box cutters
  • Tennis ball
  • An item that will hold the tennis ball into position
  • Nail
  • Hammer

Once you gather materials, now it is time to get down to work.

  1. Put the ball in place. In our step one, we have outlined the materials you need to put balls on a walker. One of those materials is something that will hold the ball tight to prevent it from moving. You can use a vice.
  • Gently stabilize the ball on the vice in such a way that it does not move around when you initiate the cutting process. If you are used to this procedure then you can stabilize the ball using your hand. But if you are new to this, then stabilize the ball using the vice.
  • If you don’t have an Access to a vice you can let another person hold the ball for you.
  • The idea here is to prevent the ball from moving around when you are cutting it.
  1. Marking out the starting point. You will notice that we have included hammer and nail in the list of items you need to get the job done. These materials are optional. This is because you can as well use a sharp box cutter to put a hole that marks the starting point for the cutting process. Therefore, to put a hole on the tennis ball there are two ways to do it. One you hammer the nail into the ball until you hear the air coming out of the ball. Two, you can use the sharp cutter to put the initial hole where the actual cutting process begins.
  1. Make an X on the ball using the knife. From the hole you made, make an X using the knife. Ensure the size of the X is two inches in length. However, you are not limited to the two inches rule. This is because the size of the X will also depend in the size of the walkers legs. Follow the line that makes the x shape on the tennis ball.
  1. Put the ball on the walker’s leg. After you have completed cutting and making the X on tennis ball, push the ball on the walker’s leg. The process is quite easy. Open the flaps and slide in the legs of the walker to the ball. You may choose to add glue or a tape around for a more secure fit, but you can as well leave it like that.

Is it safe to put tennis balls on a walker?

We used to put tennis balls on the back legs of walkers because it was the rear legs that had the rubber “anti-slip” tips on them. And, these tennis balls worked great on solid smooth surfaces. However, they didn’t work too well on carpet or concrete surfaces.

Why do people put tennis balls on Walker legs?

Tennis balls are used on walkers to create a little more stability and traction when moving around. The regular rubber tips that are on the bottom of walkers can be a little too fragile and slippery at times.

What can you put on a walker besides tennis balls?

The Easy to User Walker Coasters are made of a special polymer blend, durable plastic that are more durable than tennis balls. The smooth plastic glides easily slides in all directions over concrete, carpets and linoleum floors with very little effort. These replacement walker skis are easy to install.

Do you put tennis balls on the front or back of a walker?

The balls go on the two back legs of the walker. Hold the ball in a vice or your hand so that it doesn’t move. Make a small cut on the tennis ball with a knife. When you cut, move the ball away from you and not towards you for safety.

How can I make my walker more quiet?

Don’t forget glides with your new walker wheels!

I highly recommend the Drive Medical Walker Ski Glides on Amazon. They’re perfect for giving you smoother and quieter movement over carpet, wood and outdoor surfaces too! Just put them on the rear legs of your walker!

What are Walker balls?

RMS Walker Glide Balls allow walkers to glide easily over floors. They glide smoothly & quietly across most surfaces and make movement easier. Recommended for in-door use. They are more durable and safer than tennis balls. Pre-cut and ready to use.

What size wheels are best for a walker?

For outdoor use (off the pavement and in the yard) the larger 8” wheel will be much easier to use, especially if you have a gravel driveway like I do. Many walkers will be listed as “good for outdoor use.” Larger wheels are perfectly acceptable for indoor use if tight spaces are not an issue.

How do I choose a walker?

To determine the right height for a walker, the user should stand upright with their arms resting naturally at their sides. The length measured from the crease of their wrist to the floor should be their appropriate handle height. Another important factor to consider is walker width.

What is a walker with a seat called?

What Is a Rollator? A rollator is sometimes called a “wheeled walker.” It consists of a frame with three or four large wheels, handlebars, and a built-in seat.

How do I get Medicare to pay for a walker?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers walkers, including rollators, as durable medical equipment (DME). The walker must be Medically necessary, and your doctor or other treating provider must prescribe it for use in your home.

Will Medicare pay for a stand up Walker?

Summary: Medicare generally covers walkers as part of “durable medical equipment.” To get full coverage, you may need a Medicare Supplement plan. A walker may be essential for you if you struggle to walk without support.

Does insurance pay for UPWalker?

NO, unfortunately at the time of writing the UPWalker is not covered by Medicare. The UPWalker is sold as a cash-pay product and the current suppliers are not enrolled in Medicare, so it does not qualify for reimbursement.

Does Medicare pay for ice machine?

Does Medicare cover ice machines ? Original Medicare covers cold therapy, and does so either as an inpatient, or an outpatient service. Medicare Part B, however, does not cover any form of ice machine, ice or cold therapy unit – or cooling device “for home use”.

What Does Medicare pay for catheters?

Medicare pays 80% of your intermittent catheter supply cost after the annual deductible is met. If you have Medicare and a secondary insurance plan, the supplemental insurance will most likely cover the remaining 20% of the supply cost.

How many catheters does Medicare allow?

Medicare will allow for the usual maximum of 200 catheters per month or one catheter for each episode of catheterization. Other payers allowed catheters per month may differ from Medicare’s, so it is important for you to check with your insurance plan to see how many catheters your plan allows.