A knee scooter is one of those things you didn't know existed but can't live without once you use one.
If you have a below the knee injury, knee scooters are a modern and superior alternative to crutches. They enable you to get around quicker and without the pain and fatigue that crutches give you—and most importantly, you'll be free and independent again.
If you are on crutches, you should highly consider getting a knee scooter or knee walkers as they're also called.
Here are 7 tips on how to use a knee scooter:
8. Adjust your knee scooter properly.
It's vital to get the knee walker fitted adequately. Size the handlebar to waist height and knee platform up to where your knee bends at 90 degrees.
Doing this will ensure that you can scoot comfortably and avoid any fatigue or accidents due to improper setup.
7. Ride with proper posture
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You should be standing with your posture upright and comfortably on your good leg. You should not hunch over the unit.
Your injured leg should be resting on the knee pad at a 90-degree angle, and your hips should be even.
Make any necessary adjustments to the knee rest height if needed.
Your injured leg should be resting comfortably bent at a 90 degree angle.
6. Propel yourself forward with your good foot.
You'll make strides to move forward using your good leg. Start small at first. Get to know the knee walker. See how it feels, how it reacts. Once you get comfortable, you can take slightly fast and longer strides—as long as you maintain a walking speed.
Use brakes to control your speed if you feel you're going too fast.
5. Steers handlebars in the direction you want to go.
Just like a bicycle or a normal scooter! Very few models, like the Swivelmate knee walker allow to you make tight turns. Helpful around apartments and narrow office spaces.
If you have a hard time making a tight turn, have problems with balance, or getting on or off a knee scooter—then you should probably look into a seated knee scooter or wheelchair.
4. Use breaks to control your speed.
It's important to slow down when making a turn. Hitting a corner too fast will cause you to loose balance and trip. You don't want that, obviously.
So approach turns slowly, using your knee scooter brakes, and gently apply your brakes as needed.
You'll also want to use your knee scooter hand brakes to regulate your pace when you're going downhill.
3. Don't speed!
A knee scooter is a medical mobility aid, not for entertainment. You should not speed with it. You don't want to risk making things worse on your current injury or getting another one.
2. Take them anywhere you go (planes, stadiums, cruises, etc)!
You can take your knee scooter anywhere. They are a medical device, after all. This is the biggest benefit of using one; you can move around wherever you want independently and without a lot of physical effort.
An important thing to remember about knee scooters is that you need to be careful if you plan to ride in an area where it is dangerous for your scooter to be used. You should never ride a scooter on wet pavement or muddy surfaces.
1. You can pimp them out!
Personalizing your knee walker can be a great way to keep in good spirits during your recovery from a foot or ankle injury. If you are going to be relying on something for transport every day, you might enjoy it!
From Halloween, Christmas, team spirit, or even getting married—there's always an excuse to decorate a knee scooter.
