Walking distance with an aid

PaxyMaxy wrote: Hi
My second question today so sorry! My question is about what counts as walking distance.

I get pain in my right hip (loosening hip replacement) when I walk a couple of steps even when using my walking stick as the movement with any weight baring causes pain that increases the further I walk. I can't manage the 20 metres when using my walking stick before I need to sit down - even sitting I feel a dull pain.

However, if I use my crutches without putting any weight down or moving the joint I can manage to travel further.

Do I use the distance I can manage with my walking stick or the crutches?

Many thanks

I'm afraid it is yes to both.

First of all you need to be talking about the distance you can walk reliably on the majority of days.

You are not required to walk without pain but any pain that limits the distance that you can walk should be taken into account. In addition, if the pain you experience is severe but you can still walk despite that, then you can argue that this is not walking to a necessary standard and the distance should be disregarded.

Most of the Moving Around Descriptor include the use of aids such as you crutches so you need consider how far you can walk with these.

However, Descriptor (c) refers to the distance that a claimant can walk without the use of aids, so it is important that you document this as well.

Gordon