History of the MKII Hart Walker

The MkII Hart Walker was developed by David Hart, a bio-engineer living in Keighley, England.

In the mid 1980’s Mr. Hart was approached by a friend whose child had Cerebral Palsy. They inquired if he could design a walker that would give their child independent mobility. The original Hart Walker was finally developed in 1989 by Mr. Hart, it became known as the Mk I Hart Walker. After working with the Mk I Hart Walker for four years, Mr. Hart redesigned the walker making it lighter and easier to use, thus the development of the MK II Hart Walker in 1993. In the fall of 1998 a clinical team from OrthoProActive Consultants, Inc. was trained and became the first clinicians to have the expertise to bring the Mk II Hart Walker to the children in North America.

What Mr. Hart created is truly a remarkable device that has enhanced the lives of so many special needs children and their families. Mr. Hart’s profound feeling is…. “May every child walk with pride, for it is their right.”

 About the Mk II Hart Walker

The Mk II Hart Walker consists of two components; the bracing system and the wheeled base that supports the child.

The bracing system is customized to each child’s size and works to hold the lower limbs in a more symmetrical alignment. The hips and knees are guided in a positive direction through free-motion joints and the foot is controlled by a variable motion ankle joint. The bracing system is attached to the wheeled frame, which incorporates the spring suspension mechanism. This allows the lifting support to be customized for each child depending on the amount of weight he or she can support. The front wheels will swivel freely and will respond immediately in the direction that the step is taken.

Elasticized, reciprocating cables running from the wheeled base to the bracing system enhance reciprocal gait and upright stance. The forces from these cables aid in hip and knee extension and flexion as the child takes each step.

Additional componentry, such as knee extenders, hyperextension stops and head restraints can be added as necessary for each child’s specific needs.

 Benefits

By providing the opportunity for afflicted children to be upright and moving on their own, bone density, muscle strength, circulation and internal functions, i.e. respiratory, bowel and bladder functions have been seen to improve. The most significant achievement, however, remains the child’s independence to participate in activities with their family and friends. The walker itself is different from other walking devices because the bracing system has a significant amount of adjustability to provide many years of growth, while the wheeled base is telescopic to maintain stability as the child grows.

 Appropriate candidates

For the most benefits of the Mk II Hart Walker, the child must be able to initiate a voluntary stepping motion. Alignment of the legs and torso is done with the bracing system while balance is addressed with the base. If you are unsure your child has the necessary requirements, go to our Request for Assessment page or feel free to call us, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.