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Let’s start with a question.
Have you ever suffered a lower-body injury that’s left you with a decline in mobility?
If yes, you’ll know firsthand the sudden impact that the injury had on your life.
Such a detrimental effect on every part of you is likely what you went through and perhaps still are going through.
Not just physically but mentally as well.
I say that from my own experience.
Knee Injuries
Having suffered bilateral ACL injuries that left me housebound for far longer than I’d expected, my mobility went from 100% to zero in a split second.
I remember doubting: How will I do my chores?
What about my fitness? My career? Everything?
Yet, with despair come newfound opportunities.
If you agree with me and feel like what I’m saying is like what you’re going through, this post is for you.
It’s my hope that this blog on knee scooters offers comfort and motivation if you’re recovering from a lower limb injury right now.
All I’ll say is, don’t let that injury hold you back!
What is a knee scooter?
There are practical, simple, and convenient solutions to a lower limb injury that will help you get your mobility back as fast as possible.
One of these solutions is knee scooters.
Knee scooters are an innovative mobility aid designed for people with difficulty walking due to a lower-body injury or post-knee injury surgery.
They’re also useful in cases of a foot injury or broken ankle.
In this post, we’ll explore what a knee scooter actually is, why you might want to use one (they’re entirely optional), top picks for knee scooters, their benefits, and answers to frequently asked questions about them.
With this comprehensive guide, you’ll better understand the different types of knee scooters, helping you decide whether one is right for you or not.
What Is The Best Knee Scooter?
A knee scooter is designed to support an injured lower leg, allowing the user to move around freely while still in the healing phase.
With mobility scooters and/or knee scooters, a broken leg or foot surgery doesn’t need to be such a huge disadvantage!
Knee scooters can be seen simply as an alternative to crutches or a wheelchair.
They typically have four wheels, an adjustable knee pad, a locking hand brake, and a steering column, much like handlebars, similar to bicycles or skateboards.
They often come with extra features such as a dual brake system (front and rear brakes), adjustable handlebars, adjustable height for the leg pad, and pneumatic tires for better traction and all-terrain abilities.
Purchasing a knee scooter isn’t the only way to get one, either. They’re available to hire from various sources.
The best thing to do is ask your medical team about this; they should be able to put you in touch with a local rental service.
Now, knee scooters are designed with comfort in mind. After all, their role is to support lower leg injuries.
The platform, or cushion, of a knee scooter allows the user to rest their injured leg comfortably while using the other leg to maneuver the scooter forward.
Doing so makes moving around much easier while keeping the injury stable.
Additionally, clever braking systems provide control when navigating tight spaces or uneven surfaces, such as terrain outdoors.
Who Can Use a Knee Scooter?
Generally, knee scooters are available for anyone. Literally!
Weight capacity varies from model to model and can range from 250 lbs to 500 lbs or thereabouts, depending on the chosen design.
While some scooters have a thicker inch tire designed for outdoor use (on rough terrain), others may have thinner rubber wheels better suited for indoors in tight spaces.
Handlebar height is usually adjustable, which is great if you need one that’s taller due to your height or upper body strength.
Plus, there are customization options!
Things like dual braking systems, more padding on the leg platform, and sturdier, foldable frames for easy transport and storage when not in use.
Why Use a Knee Scooter?
Here are many benefits of using a knee scooter. In short, a knee scooter is:
- Lightweight
- Adjustable
- Customizable
- Offers improved mobility
- Stability
- Improved range of motion
- Comfortable
- Help with injury healing
- Encourage confidence
- Hire and buying options available
Top Picks For Knee Scooters
When selecting a knee scooter, it’s worth considering your needs and injury type.
Also, consider your height, weight, surgery (if applicable), and activity level or terrain you’ll want to be on.
First up is this hands-free knee walker as an option:
Considering iWALK3.0 Crutch? Please check the Qualification for Use in this listing before purchasing. Ensure it's suitable for BELOW THE KNEE injuries, fits your size, and matches age limits. It's a hands-free alternative to crutches or knee scooters, providing safe and pain-free mobility. Realistic expectations include an adaptation period of 1-3 days for hands-free functionality. Read all Qualifications for Use before purchase, and for below-knee amputees, ensure you have at least 4" of residual limb. Watch instructional videos before your first use for assembly and fitting guidance.
Or, as an alternative, this all round, all-terrain model is hard to beat!
Discover independence post-injury with our All-Terrain Quad Knee Walker – a superior alternative to crutches. Ideal for foot, ankle, or lower leg injuries, it provides comfortable support and easy maneuverability on any surface, from carpet to pavement. The 12-inch pneumatic wheels ensure maximum stability, while the dual rear-disk brake system offers superior control on uneven surfaces. The height-adjustable cushioned knee platform (20” to 26”) and steering handle (38” to 46”) provide a personalized fit.
Traditional Style Knee Scooter Recommendations
These are your more standard knee scooters which still offer fantastic stability and ease of use.
Roscoe Knee Scooter
One of the bestsellers for knee scooters!
This scooter is known for its fantastic durability and stability, making it an excellent choice for heavier limbs or those who want to use it more often, perhaps even day-to-day.
What’s great about this scooter is the extra padding on the knee platform, which allows for extra comfort during extended use.
The Roscoe Knee Scooter is foldable and comes with thicker, all-terrain wheels, meaning it’s great for both indoors and outside. Weight limit: 350lbs
Carex Knee Scooter
A lighter, more nimble scooter. This is a great choice for using in tight spaces and keeping indoors or for those with reduced upper body strength. The Carex Knee Scooter can also be folded for easy storage, but you wouldn’t want to take this on rough terrain, as the 7.5-inch wheels aren’t quite as stable as the Roscoe.
Weight limit: 300 lbs.
FAQs about knee scooters
Knee scooters are an excellent choice for those recovering from a knee, foot, or ankle injury, but there are a few factors to consider when selecting the best model.
To help you decide, here’s a list of handy, frequently asked questions about knee scooters.
Is a knee scooter better than crutches?
The reality is that a knee scooter is more comfortable and requires less effort to use than crutches.
Crutches also put a lot of work on the upper body, whereas a knee scooter doesn’t do this so much.
Ultimately, it’s personal preference on which is ‘better’ though!
What features should I look for in a knee scooter?
The most important factor when selecting a knee scooter is how well it fits your needs.
Look for things like stability, a weight limit, adjustable features, height-adjustable handlebars, and parking brakes that lock the wheels in place when not in use.
Also consider weight capacity, wheel size, turning radius, padded kneepads for comfort, and perhaps a basket to carry your belongings.
Oh, and materials (e.g., steel frame vs. aluminum).
Can my insurance company help cover the cost of a knee scooter?
Yes! Many insurance companies cover part or all of the cost of purchasing medical equipment.
Medical equipment includes mobility aids such as scooters or knee walkers if your doctor prescribes them as “medically necessary.”
The best thing to do is check your insurance policy and provider before purchasing, so you can get reimbursed accordingly.
Summary
I hope this post is useful and helps you decide whether or not a knee scooter is right for you.
There are plenty of options out there to help you get mobile despite the lower limb injury you may be facing.
By all means, leave a comment below if you have questions. I’m happy to help. For more interesting reads, click here.