How could you refer to "able to walk" in a medical context?

In a medical context, “able to walk” can be described as ambulatory. An ambulatory patient is capable of walking about and is not confined to bed, although the word does not necessarily mean the person walks normally or without assistance.

The related verb ambulate means to walk or move from place to place. Both words ultimately come from the Latin ambulare, meaning “to walk.” Medical professionals may describe someone as ambulatory even when that person uses a cane, walker, prosthesis, or other aid, depending on the clinical context.

Ambulatory has a second important healthcare meaning. “Ambulatory care” refers to treatment provided without an overnight hospital stay, such as a clinic visit, outpatient procedure, or same-day surgery. That meaning concerns where care occurs, while “ambulatory patient” concerns the patient’s ability to move around. The related term nonambulatory means unable to walk about.