Keeping your weight off an injured foot can be a challenge if you need to stay upright and move around to complete your daily tasks.
Luckily, there are lots of mobility aids that you can choose from to help you move around with ease despite the handicap.
Crutches are the most popular options, but if you’re not too keen on having to balance yourself on two sticks, the best alternative to crutches may be needed.
Knee scooters and crutches are deemed as some of the best crutch alternatives as they will let you move around with ease without having to struggle with your balance and tiring yourself out by carrying your entire body’s weight with your arms.
If you’re in the market for a good one, these crutch alternatives reviews might be able to help you out.
Our Picks!
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What Makes Knee Scooters the Best Mobility Aid for You
Before we go ahead and talk about the best alternative to crutches in the market right now, you might be interested to know if knee scooters or crutches are the right options for you.
These ambulation aids are, without a doubt, great devices, but if they’re not suitable to your needs, you might be better off with something else.
So, who can get the most out of these products? If your injury is found on your lower leg, then you’re a good candidate for a knee walker user.
As this device requires placing your shin on top of the knee platform, your injury shouldn’t be on your knee, thigh, or hip as these parts will still bear your weight.
However, if your injury is on your foot, ankle, or lower leg, then you can find a good use for this mobility aid.
You also need one completely functioning leg to use a knee walker or crutch.
As these products will require you to propel yourself forward by kicking the ground or balancing with your other foot, you’ll need one foot that can bear your body’s weight.
Knee walkers and crutches are also great options for those who can’t balance themselves well on underarm and forearm crutches.
While you will still need to balance while using these ambulation aids, they’re a lot easier to work with than the traditional ones.
Knee crutches can even feel like a second skin after a while since they will feel like you’re still on your own two feet despite having to keep off your injured ankle or foot.
A Few Words of Caution When Using Crutch Alternatives
While knee walkers are easy and comfortable mobility solutions, they still have a few limitations that you need to be aware of.
If you intend to wish to use them, here are a few precautions that you have to keep in mind.
1. They can strain your good leg if you’re not careful.
If you opt to use a knee scooter, it will require some hard work on your good leg. While this doesn’t seem like a big deal, you have to consider the fact that one leg isn’t exactly designed to carry your entire body’s weight.
Staying on that foot, despite being on a knee scooter, for extended periods of time will stress your good leg’s muscles and bones, especially since it’s not used to carrying too much weight.
The constant kicking movements required to propel your body forward is also something your good leg is not used to, so it will get strained if you decide to move about for hours.
Some people needed to get corrective surgeries for torn muscles after extensive use of knee scooters.
While these cases aren’t prevalent, it still merits a few words of caution to others who wish to use a knee scooter for their recovery.
It’s important to know how to use these devices properly so you can prevent such complications later on.
2. Knee scooters are not designed for going up and down the stairs.
One significant weakness of knee walkers is their inability to go up and down the stairs.
Because of their heft and design, they won’t be able to help you navigate stairs in any way. If you try, you might even get in a more serious accident.
So if you need to go up and down the stairs while you’re injured, and on the knee scooter, it might be best just to take the elevator.
This shouldn’t be a problem with a knee crutch, though, so you might want to consider those instead if your daily routine needs you to go up and down the stairs often.
3. They still require a good amount of balance.
Another thing some people tend to forget is that balance is still required if you’re going to use a knee crutch or scooter.
The fact that you won’t be able to use both your feet should instantly tell you that balance will be required in moving about in an upright position, so you have to be very mindful when using these products.
Some folks who tend to forget that they’re using one can be lax in their movements and can push their capabilities too hard.
This can be very dangerous as a moment of carelessness can throw you off-balance and get you even more hurt.
4. Knee scooters are not for small spaces.
While a lot of knee scooters aren’t exactly bulky, it’s a fact that vehicles will take some space to move around.
They’re not as agile when it comes to turning and changing directions, so if you want to use it indoors, you need some space to do so.
If you have to do it in a tight area, you can find yourself in a pinch.
They are highly maneuverable, but without the space to maneuver, you can find yourself stuck and struggling to move about.
The 6 Best Alternative to Crutches
If you don’t think that crutches are for you, here are six best crutch alternatives that can promise to help you move around with ease.
1. iWALK2.0 Hands-Free Crutch
Knee crutches are peg legs that you can attach to your thigh to keep your injured foot off the ground while still providing an excellent artificial leg to stand on.
The iWalk2.0 is an attractive option for those with ankle and foot injuries as it provides a hands-free option to move around.
It’ll be just like you’re not injured at all as you can move on your feet without any additional effort required from your arms.
Ideal for those who want to get back to their daily routine as fast as they possibly can, the iWalk2.0 will let you use your hands while standing up, which guarantees normalcy and independence.
However, it still requires a good amount of balancing as this product isn’t a replacement for your injured foot. Read our full review here.
PROS
- It will let you the freedom to use all of your limbs as you did before the injury.
- It will let you go up and down the stairs with ease.
- It can be utilized even in tight spaces.
- You can easily tailor-fit this product to your measurements.
- Ideal for folks who are 4’ to 6’5” in height.
CONS
- It has a pretty low weight limit at 275 lbs.
- You have to be mindful when moving around as a wrong landing on the knee crutch can cause accidents.
2. Ergobaum® Prime By Ergoactives
Technically, the Ergobaum is a pair of forearm crutches, but because of its advanced features, it can still be considered as the best alternative to crutches.
Why? For starters, it’s ergonomic design guarantees comfort, reducing strain on your arms, hands, and wrists as these parts carry your body’s weight.
It’s also equipped with shock absorbers which can reduce fatigue and stress that your arms and hands can get while moving around.
While your arms will still get tired from all of the heavy liftings it will do, it will still be significantly less than what you will experience from a traditional pair of crutches as the force of impact from the ground and the crutches will be cushioned.
The fact that these crutches are foldable is also a great plus. This allows it to be more portable and easier to lug around, which will provide convenience for those who have a handicap. Check our full review here.
PROS
- It can help you move upright with ease.
- It’s less tiring to use than traditional crutches.
- Its ergonomic design won’t strain your hands and wrists by contorting it into unnatural positions for extended periods of time.
- It’s very compact and portable.
- You can still be able to go up and down the stairs with these mobility aids.
CONS
- They’re a bit pricey for a pair of crutches.
- They require a good amount of balancing.
3. KneeRover Evolution Steerable Seated Scooter Mobility Knee Walker
If you’re not too fond of moving around upright but think a wheelchair is too much for you, the KneeRover Evolution can be an option worth looking into.
This is a sitting knee scooter that is designed like a bike sans pedals and with a leg platform in front so you can still keep your weight off your injured leg with ease.
To use this product, you still have to kick the ground with your good foot.
Steerable and with fully adjustable seat and handlebar, the KneeRover Evolution can give wheelchairs a run for their money because they offer independence.
They also don’t require the use of your upper body to move so that they can be less tiring. Read our full review here.
PROS
- It lets you sit down, so you get to distribute your weight between your good leg and buttocks.
- It can be a great option for folks who can’t stay in a standing position for too long.
- It doesn’t require being able to balance on one foot for practical use.
CONS
- As this unit isn’t foldable, it can be quite bulky.
- It can be a bit tricky to maneuver as you’ll have to kick while sitting down.
4. Drive Medical DV8 Aluminum Steerable Knee Walker Crutch Alternative
The Drive Medical DV8 is one of the sleekest knee scooters in the market today. Its clean lines and simple design make it a big hit for those who prefer something that isn’t too bulky to cart their injured foot around.
With a superbly designed knee platform and a parking brake system, this mobility aid will also let you complete tasks using both hands while standing up.
It can quickly minimize your handicap in so many ways, so it can be the perfect choice for those who wish to live as independently as they can despite their injury. Check our full review here.
PROS
- It looks great.
- It has a decent weight limit.
- It can help you stay upright in one spot.
- It’s straightforward to maneuver.
- It’s channeled knee platform will let you rest your shin perpendicular and parallel to the handlebar that can allow you do more while standing up.
- Its foldable design makes it easy to transport and store.
CONS
- Its tires aren't best suited for rough terrains as they don’t have treads to provide traction.
5. All Terrain KneeRover Steerable Knee Scooter Knee Walker Heavy Duty Crutches Alternative in Blue
If you need something more capable of running through different kinds of terrains, the KneeRover’s All Terrain Steerable Scooter can be an excellent option.
Equipped with 12” pneumatic tires, it can handle different surfaces with ease.
Despite its bulk, this unit is easy to maneuver, thanks to its automotive-style tie-rod steering mechanism.
It may be a bit heavy, but you won’t have to lift it just to make a turn or change directions. This ensures stability and ease of movement. Check our full review here.
PROS
- It handles nicely.
- It’s very stable.
- It can roll through rough and uneven surfaces without flinching.
- It’s large wheels also help cushion the impact between the knee scooter and rough terrain, creating a smooth and comfortable ride.
- Its heavy-duty, double-bar construction allows it to handle up to 400 lbs of weight.
- It may seem bulky, but it has a folding mechanism that will let the handlebar fold into the knee platform for a more compact storage and portability.
- It comes with a front storage basket so you can carry stuff with you while you move around.
- It can be ideal for those who want to keep their active, outdoorsy lifestyle despite their injury.
CONS
- The brakes do not lock so staying still in one place can be a bit of a challenge.
6. Drive Medical Adult Knee Walker Crutch Alternative
The road to recovery is already pretty tricky so why encumber yourself with a particular device that requires more thought than paying attention to your balance and where you’re going?
A simple mobility aid like the Drive Medical Adult Knee Walker is one of the best alternatives to crutches thanks to its straightforward and utilitarian design.
If you’re not very particular about the appearance of a walking aid, this product will do the trick for you. It’s easy to use and set up, comfortable, and most of all, fuss-free.
It’s designed to help you move around with ease, and it can get the job done without a hitch.
It’s also one of the cheapest knee scooters in the market, making it an even more practical option for a lot of people. Read our full review here.
PROS
- It’s straightforward to use.
- You can configure the handbrakes for either leg use.
- It folds up easily, so you don’t have to wrangle it for storage or transport.
- It’s knee platform, and the handlebar is easily adjustable to suit your measurements.
- It’s very stable.
- It’s friendly-priced.
- It’s lightweight, so if you don’t need to make sharp turns, it can still be more manageable to those with steering mechanisms.
CONS
- It’s not steerable, so you’ll need better balancing to maneuver this knee scooter.
- The lowest setting of its knee platform can still be too high for smaller users.
Our Alternative Crutch Recommendation
While crutches are useful mobility aids and the fact that their design hasn’t been changed for centuries can attest to that.
However, this doesn’t mean that they’re perfect. Some folks just really can’t use them as they’re just not really for everyone. So, for such cases, alternatives are essential.
Our six alternatives to crutches reviews above can tell you that there are lots of other options in the market right now if you need a device that will assist your movements after an accident.
Knee scooters and knee crutches are some of the most popular options as they offer the very thing that drives people away from traditional crutches: comfort.
As they don’t need you to keep your injured foot off the ground consciously (thanks to their knee platforms), you can be spared from the hassle of limping on one leg while balancing on two sticks.
However, among these six, there’s one that stands out. If you ask us what the best alternative to a crutch is, we’ll have to point you to the iWalk2.0 Knee Crutch.
Granted, this product is still considered as a crutch, but as it is designed to be attached to your injured leg to serve as a temporary replacement limb, it’s still easy to differentiate it from traditional crutches.
iWALK2.0 Hands-Free Crutch
What made us choose this product and give it the top rank in this crutch alternatives review is the fact that it allows hands-free operation.
As you don’t have to use your hands and arms to move around with this product, it can be the very tool you need to help you get back to your routine.
With it, you can function as if you’re not with any handicap, which is the primary goal of a lot of injured people.
With a friendly price, sturdy construction, and a comfortable design, the iWalk2.0 may just be the best crutch alternative in the market today.
While it still has a few disadvantages, its benefits still outweigh the cons, so you might want to give it a shot.
Additional Resources
http://keystonemobility.com/iwalk-2-0-is-a-great-alternative-to-crutches-and-knee-walkers/