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Broken ankle? How to get around!
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Broken ankle? Start with a Knee Scooter!
Coping with a broken ankle is so inconvenient! Sure, crutches are an option, but they can be tiresome.
So what about a knee scooter? It really is a unique piece of equipment that can make life a lot easier. Especially if you need to avoid walking due to injury or surgery. Knee scooters are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to crutches, and they have many different names around the world – knee walker, mobility scooter, knee cruiser, knee caddy, orthopaedic scooter, knee coaster, and leg walker.
Allows you and your broken ankle to get around more quickly and further than the crutches can. For example you can be well supported when carrying on with daily life and chores.
The knee scooter provides good stability, and you can easily whizz around the shopping malls.
The First Knee Scooter.
According to The Science Museum Group, the first knee scooter was designed in Dorset, England in 1993 by Michael Reid when he broke his foot in an accident. Naming his invention, the “K9” Orthopaedic Scooter, he used knee pressure to steer the scooter. The knee cavity area was lined with foam, and this doubled up as a footrest when he was seated in a chair. At the time of putting this article together, the product is still available for sale, in the same original design.
Knee Scooter Improvements over 20yrs.
Knee scooters have come a long way since their inception! Now, they feature a padded or moulded seat to rest the broken ankle. This allows the injured ankle to rest without any extra strain.
Plus, the handlebars give you the feel of a bicycle, providing better control and safety when riding around.
Another improvement is the ability to take the knee scooter on your travels.The quick release mechanism on the neck allows for the knee scooter to be quickly folded into a compact size, making it easy for a carer or helper to lift it in and out of a car boot. It takes up very little space! What more could you ask for?
Things you can do with a knee scooter.
Pros:
Proper rest is vital during your surgery recovery, and a knee scooter can help you move independently while you take the time you need to heal. Being able to move around without anyone’s help allows you to do housework, get outside, and work at your own schedule and pace.
Daily activities like cooking can be a time-consuming task, especially if you have to balance on crutches, maneuver around kitchen counters and move from zone to zone around the kitchen. The great thing about a knee scooter is that it supports you when you need both your hands to do tasks. Need to wash hands or brush teeth? Simple, just use the parking brake and continue while still having your broken ankle supported!
Having control over your movements is essential, especially if you have an injury and need to make an emergency stop! To ensure safety, having a brake with the knee scooter is a must.
Got young children? It makes keeping an eye on your little ones running around the house much easier compared to crutches.
Furthermore, a knee scooter can help reduce any feelings of loneliness or isolation while you recover from surgery, by allowing you to remain active and engaged with the outside world. It also enables you to remain independent and manage your own level of activity and mobility as needed.
Cons:
The knee scooter cannot be used to go up and down flights of stairs, however lifting and adjusting it up and down the odd step or a different floor level is possible.
Another point to think about is the turning circle of the knee scooter and if it can be accommodated in a cluttered space, especially if living in a small apartment or townhouse (see our useful”Compact knee scooter“) during a recovery from a broken ankle.
Knee Scooter, where to get one?
Knee Scooters can be purchased or rented. It really depends on personal requirements and choice. Two important points to consider.
Firstly, how long would it be needed for?
Secondly what are the chances of using this equipment again in the near future?
Renting on the other hand is a simple and easy option as one pays for the use. Purchasing a new one could be a better choice for extended periods of 3 months or longer.
If renting is the route you will take while recovering from your broken ankle, take a look at our range and options available here. Going for planned surgery? A knee scooter can be booked ahead of time and be delivered soon after surgery.