Ambulation
Pronunciation: am-byoo-LAY-shun
The act of walking or moving about, used in rehabilitation documentation to describe a patient's functional mobility status.
Full Definition
Ambulation, in the context of physical medicine and rehabilitation, refers to a patient's ability to walk, with or without assistive devices. Rehabilitation progress notes frequently document ambulation status using qualifiers such as independent, supervised, assisted, or dependent, and specify the assistive device used (e.g., walker, cane, crutches). Editors should be aware that 'ambulation' is the preferred clinical term over colloquial equivalents such as 'walking.' The related term 'gait' refers specifically to the pattern and mechanics of walking, and should not be substituted for ambulation, which describes the functional act.
Usage
Usage note: Do not substitute 'gait' for 'ambulation.' Gait describes the biomechanical pattern of walking; ambulation describes the functional task itself. Both terms may appear in close proximity in rehabilitation progress notes.
In Context
- "The patient achieved independent ambulation with a quad cane over 50 feet by day ten of rehabilitation." — Physical therapy progress note
- "Ambulation on stairs was assessed prior to discharge planning to ensure safe community mobility." — Rehabilitation discharge summary