Can You Use a Knee Scooter for a Knee Injury
- Edd Siu
July 2, 2020 Updated: June 14, 2021
Knee scooters, also known as knee walkers, are an effective crutch alternative for people who have suffered a lower leg injury and want to remain mobile during their recovery.
There are some injuries and procedures that your doctor might mandate a non-weight bearing period. Among these are broken ankle injury, Achilles tendon rupture, fibula fractures, bunion surgery, etc.
But what if you don't have an injured foot and instead have a knee injury? Can you still use a knee scooter?
When using a knee scooter, you have to rest the knee of your injured leg on padded knee rest. So if you have a knee injury, this won't work for you. Knee scooters are only useful for below the knee injuries.
If you have a knee injury, a great alternative mobility aid is a seated knee scooter.
A seated knee scooter is a four-wheeled mobility device that works much like a cross between a wheelchair and a knee scooter.
It allows you to sit on a padded seat (just like a bicycle) while elevating your injured foot on a peg. You place your hands on the handlebars to steer the direction you want to go—and with your good foot, you push yourself forward.
Seated Scooter rental from Nashville, TN
Riding in Las Vegas, NV
Customer rental from GeorgiaA great alternative to crutches
Seated knee scooters have significant advantages over crutches.
Unlike crutches, you don't need significant upper body strength when using a seated knee scooter.
While crutches can be helpful when navigating tight spaces, tough terrain, and stairs, they still don't match up to the comfort and ease of mobility that a seated knee scooter can provide.
If you will be in a non-weight bearing period, chances are, it will be for several weeks (the average period is from 6-8 weeks). Crutches require a lot of physical effort and are very limiting—if you want to continue with your day-to-day as much as possible, a seated knee scooter can be a lifesaver.
Here are some pros and cons:
Benefits• It helps you get around quickly and easily at home or work. You can move from point A to point B and back and forth without a ton of aggravation.
• Gives you support when you need both your hands free to do chores around the house or at work.
• Light in weight, it collapses nicely to fit in the trunk of your car.
• It rolls very well over smooth concrete, low pile carpet, and is excellent on smooth floors.
• You're in a seated position for situations where you would need to be standing a lot. Think theme parks, stores, public areas, etc.
• Freedom: You'll be able to do stuff on your own, as opposed to needing someone to help you with a wheelchair or crutches.
• Adjustable to your size for maximum comfort.
Drawbacks• Because of its design, it can only make wide turns, which can be cumbersome in tight spaces.
• Some users report they are a bit tough to get used to.
• It requires that you have a fair amount of balance. Something that's difficult if you have a pre-existing condition or other injuries.
• When riding, hitting bumps and potholes can be annoying. It's important to slow down in these situations.
• Moving over thick carpets can require extra effort.Here are two of the best seated knee scooters:
At Rent A Knee Walker, we carry two excellent seated knee scooters: The Evolution by Knee Rover, and the Gemini by Roscoe Medical. Both are available for rent for only $30 a week or purchase.Evolution Seated Knee Scooter
• Ideal for individuals recovering from injury or surgery to the knee, hip, foot, ankle, or lower leg.
• Features a large gel padded seat, ergonomic rubber handgrips, and a convenient front leg platform that allows the patient to rest in comfort while elevating the non-weight bearing leg.
• Quick folding for easy transport.
• AdjustableGemini Seated Knee Scooter
• Similar features to the Evolution
• Has dual hand brakes. It's a useful feature to have if you have a dominant hand.
• Has the option of adding a knee platform, so that you can convert it into a knee scooter.Conclusion
Seated knee scooters are an excellent alternative for mobility when you don't want to be uncomfortable using crutches or don't want to be stuck in a wheelchair. They are sturdy and easy to use while giving you the freedom to do things on your own and not depend on anyone else.
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