Knee Scooter and Knee Walker: What Are They Used for?

What is a knee scooter (also called a knee walker)?

If you are in the process of recovery after a serious ankle, knee, or foot injury, you are probably wondering that very question.

In this guide, we’ll show you what a knee walker is and what it does. 

Don’t forget to also check our knee scooter reviews!

What is a Knee Scooter?

Knee scooters, which are also known as knee walkers, include three to five wheels, a knee rest, and steering column handlebars.

By resting ankle injuries or your foot surgery on a padded knee rest support while using your comfortable foot to pedal, you’re able to relieve some of the pressure on your leg.

A knee walker is an excellent mobile device for treating broken ankles, knee injuries, and injured feet, which allows you to walk around without a problem while you undergo your healing process.

With the assistance of these mobility devices, you can continue doing daily life activities for a long period of time with no added stress or discomfort.

READ MORE: Is There a Difference Between Knee Walkers & Scooters?

Things You Should Know Before Getting a Knee Scooter

Patients should avoid putting any weight on their wounded foot throughout rehabilitation since different accidents and health conditions necessitate it.

Any knee injury, including those that are below the knee, is improved by the use of a knee walker as long as a doctor advises it.

Weight-bearing mobility and non-weight-bearing treatments for your wounded leg may be suggested, depending on your situation. Why knee scooters are particularly helpful is when you need to rest your leg on a knee pad while also being able to move around.

Here are some of these medical conditions:

• broken ankle recovery,
• below the knee amputation
• ankle arthritis
• ankle fusion surgery / ankle surgery recovery
• achilles tendon rupture
• diabetic foot issues; and
• heel spur surgery.

Related: How to Use Knee Scooter Properly?

Crutch Alternative: Scooter Over Crutches?

As crutch alternatives, seated knee walkers are associated with crutches. The KW-100 is a novel technology.

They are more comfortable, easier to travel with, and more convenient than crutches.

Crutches are becoming outdated with some people since they are inconvenient, uncomfortable to use, and can cause further harm.

Another reason why medical knee scooters are used instead of crutches is that some patients have arthritis or other health concerns that make using crutches difficult.

Why Should You Use a Knee Scooter/Knee Walker?

Knee scooters and walkers are recovery assistance solutions designed for a wide range of users, such as those with knee injuries, elderly people, and those with disabilities.

This mobility aid will give you more upper body strength as well.

Its primary purpose is to make daily activities easier and more comfortable. Over time, additional and enhanced benefits have been developed, and therefore, there are now many choices.

There are a few advantages:

• It gives weight-bearing relief periods of rehabilitation.
• It is there to help with your leg problems (e.g., leg amputation) you are moving around. It is up to you to make sure you follow fundamental safety practices.
• It gives you the opportunity to be nearly able to accomplish daily tasks at home, especially when you need to utilize both your hands.
• The knee rest design rest helps your damaged leg rest and be supported with an extra-comfortable padded knee platform.

What is a Knee Walker Used For?

Knee walkers are preferred when knee or foot injury occurs because they allow the user to rest the lower leg on the knee pad, keeping the foot and ankle elevated and non-weight bearing.

Knee scooters have a contoured knee/leg pad, twin locking hand brakes, a basket, and adjustable handlebars. 

Common Features of Knee Walker

Let us give specific details on common features you should check out for every knee walker[2]:

• Lightweight Frame
• Durable Frame
• Folding Frame
• Wheels on Knee Walker
• Tires
• Seat
• Seat/ Knee Pad
• Brakes
• Levers
• Steering
• Basket

All of these characteristics are featured on the knee walkers, as well as having a storage basket and making sure they don’t slip on wet flooring. Moreover, it takes stress off of the wrists, or armpits.

Knee Scooter/Walker Pricing

Distributors, as well as the online store, offer the same cost as knee scooters. The KW-100 knee walker is the standard model; it is affordable and widely available over the web.

Some knee scooters sell for $100 to $400 while others charge custom pricing.

Knee Walker Rental

Rental services of knee walkers are widely available on the internet. When you rent a walker, you have the option of using it for as long as you’re injured, and then returning it to them.

This device aids those who have had an injury but have a small budget because they will not require it for an extended time period.

One must recuperate from surgery, and people often prefer renting a crutch substitute or knee caddy. Some wanted the option of returning the mobility device once they had recovered.

Check: Knee Scooter Rental Walgreens

Buyer’s Guide: What is the Best Knee Walker?

This article helps you find the best knee scooter for your medical needs.

Steerable Knee Walker by Vive for a premium choice.

The Vive Steerable Knee Walker is designed to help individuals regain mobility following a lower leg, ankle, or foot injury or surgery.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, it features 8” all-terrain tires, a dual braking system, and comfort grip steering handles, ensuring safe and smooth maneuverability on various surfaces.

This knee scooter is perfect for active individuals, thanks to its compact folding design and removable platform, making it easy to store and transport. Weighing just 22 pounds, it is lightweight enough to lift into vehicles or carry up and down stairs.

Both the knee platform and steering handle are height-adjustable, allowing for a customizable and comfortable fit for users of different sizes.

To enhance comfort, the knee walker includes a contoured knee cushion made of high-density foam that evenly distributes pressure, reducing fatigue and discomfort. It offers superior stability and control, supporting up to 300 pounds with its durable steel frame, large flat-free tires, and responsive dual-braking system.

Additionally, the knee walker comes with a removable storage bag featuring multiple compartments, ensuring essentials are always within easy reach.

Steerable Medical Knee Scooter by ELENKER for those on a budget.

The Elenker Steerable Knee Scooter is an great recovery aid for people healing from injuries or surgeries to the foot, ankle, or lower leg, as well as those who have undergone below-the-knee amputations.

It is designed to help users maintain their mobility without compromising their daily routines, making it ideal for navigating various environments such as homes, workplaces, supermarkets, and parks.

However, for safety, it is recommended to avoid sliding at high speeds, keeping the pace at a safe 1 meter per second.

Unlike traditional crutches, which can be uncomfortable and require significant upper body strength, this knee walker provides a hands-free, pain-free alternative that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

It offers a stable and versatile option for mobility, eliminating the discomfort associated with crutches, particularly the rubbing under the armpits and the instability.

The Elenker knee scooter is both lightweight and durable, ensuring comfort and stability for the user regardless of their location. Its adjustable design includes handlebars with a quick-release folding mechanism, making it easy to transport and store, adding to its convenience and practicality during the recovery process.

Deluxe Steerable Knee Scooter by KneeRover for travelers.

The KneeRover Deluxe Knee Cycle is a top-performing mobility solution from a trusted, family-oriented brand based in Evans, Georgia.

With over a decade of experience in creating innovative knee scooters, KneeRover is known for delivering high-quality products, including the original All Terrain and Pediatric knee scooters.

This knee walker is designed to support individuals recovering from foot, ankle, or leg injuries and surgeries and offers a reliable and proven alternative to crutches.

The KneeRover Deluxe Knee Cycle is equipped with advanced features to ensure great stability and control.

It includes an automotive-style tie-rod steering mechanism, smooth 7.5-inch wheels suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, an adjustable locking handbrake, and a reliable rear drum brake, all contributing to excellent maneuverability and safety.

The knee scooter is fully adjustable, with an adjustable knee pad and handlebar, accommodating users between 4’9” and 6’6”. It also folds quickly for easy transport, fitting conveniently into compact cars.

Despite its lightweight design, weighing just 24.7 lbs, the KneeRover Knee Cycle is built with a heavy-duty premium steel frame that supports up to 300 lbs. It combines performance and value, making it the most popular high-performance knee scooter in its category.

The scooter also comes with a convenient basket, making it a practical and cost-effective crutch alternative for those recovering from lower limb injuries.

FAQs

Conclusion

In this section of the website, most of the frequently asked questions about knee scooters have already been answered.

We hope that this article gives you a comprehensive understanding of knee walkers and why they are helpful when recovering from a leg injury.

References

• “How to Use Crutches, Canes, and Walkers – OrthoInfo – AAOS.” 2015. Aaos.org. 2015. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/how-to-use-crutches-canes-and-walkers/.
• Walker. 2019. “What Is a Knee Scooter? The Complete Guide.” Rent a Knee Walker. 2019. https://www.rentakneewalker.com/stories/a-teachers-knee-scooter-experience-during-back-to-school-ses://www.rentakneewalker.com/stories/what-is-a-knee-scooter.

What is a knee scooter? Have you tried using it? Please share with us below!