If you recently broke a leg, foot, or have an upcoming surgery on either, you need a way to stay mobile. Recovery could take two months or more. The good news is you do NOT have to put your life on hold during this time! A knee scooter (also known as a knee walker) is a great option for keeping weight off of your injured leg while working and maintaining the active lifestyle you were used to before your accident or surgery. A knee scooter will make your recovery SO much easier.
This comprehensive buyers guide is designed to assist you in buying the best knee walker that meets your needs. This is a research based article providing reviews of the leading knee scooters and is designed for those doing their research to make an informed buying decision.
If a knee walker was recommended by your doctor, check the price on Amazon or other online outlets first! You could pay a fraction of the price for the exact same model. A knee scooters is not cheap, but is well worth the money if you need one. It will allow you to stay mobile and maintain your independence during your recovery period. After you have recovered and no longer need it, you can donate it to someone else or sell it on sites like eBay or Craigslist to recoup much of your investment.
If you are like most, you may have never heard of a knee scooter. If this is true, I can assure you it is worth your time to continue reading. A knee scooter is a wonderful alternative to crutches for your injured foot or leg.
A knee scooter is just what it sounds like. It is basically a scooter that you can rest your injured leg on. Depending on the model, knee scooters have three or four wheels, a knee pad to rest your “bad leg” on, and handle bars similar to a bicycle. The basic function of a knee scooter is to rest your “bad leg” on the knee pad and propel yourself forward with your good leg.
As mentioned previously, a knee scooter is a wonderful alternative to crutches. Crutches are often not an option due to physical limitations or simply because folks choose not to use them. Like crutches, a knee walker is non-weight bearing, but much more stable. A knee walker may help allow you to continue your normal life including doing light housework, going to and from the bathroom, cooking, and in some cases even going back to work. For many, it will prove to be a lifesaver if you are temporarily disabled by a broken foot or leg.
Manufacturer | Drive Medical | KneeRover | KneeRover | KneeRover | KneeRover |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | DV8 Steerable Knee Walker (Model 790) | Steerable Knee Scooter | All Terrain Knee Walker | All Terrain Knee Walker Jr | Knee Walker Jr (Pediatric Knee Scooter) |
Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Type | Adult | Adult | Adult All Terrain | Short Adult or Child All Terrain | Pediatric / Child |
Steerable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Folding? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Weight Capacity | 300 lbs | 300 lbs | 400 lbs | 250 lbs | 160 lbs |
Number of Wheels | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Handle Height | 33" - 37.5" | 33” - 43” | 35" - 47" | 32” - 38” | 27” - 32.5” |
Knee Pad Height | 17.5” - 21.5” | 17” - 22.5” | 19" - 22.5" | 16” - 19.5” | 14” - 17.5” |
Knee Pad Dimensions | 7.25” x 14.25” | 6.5” x 12.5” | 6.75” x 12.5” | 6.5” x 12.5” | 5” x 10” |
Caster (Wheel) Size | 8” | 7.5” | 12” | 10” | 5.75” |
Recommended Operator Height | N/A | 5’ - 6’6” | 5’ - 6’5” | 4’ - 5’9” | 3’6” - 5’4” |
Knee Scooter Weight | 19 lbs | 22 lbs | 27 lbs | 24 lbs | 18 lbs |
Other Features | Aluminum Frame | Detachable Basket, Disc Brakes | All terrain, Detachable Basket | All terrain, Wire Basket | Detachable Basket, Disc Brake |
Our highest recommended knee scooter is the Drive Medical DV8 model 790. It is a great option for those who are over 5’ tall and weigh less than 300 lbs.
Even for some of the tallest folks out there (around 6’5”) this knee walker will still work for you. The height of both the handlebar and knee pad can be adjusted to a level that is comfortable.
It is easy to assemble, operate, and features a beautiful matte finish.
The unit will arrive with three primary pieces – the base, seat, and steering column. An adjustment knob to adjust the knee pad height is also included. It’s super easy to assemble with little effort required.
The DV8 model 790 is steerable and offers great maneuverability. The knee scooter being steerable is one of its greatest advantages. Non-steerable knee walkers require you to pick up the front end and slide the unit around when you need to turn. Since this one is steerable, you simply turn the steering column in the direction you want to go and take off with your “good leg”. The turns are tight.
It comes with 8” wheels. The wheels are made of polyurethane which is a hard (and solid) rubber-like material. The wheels will not leave marks on your floor. They are also large enough to easily roll on carpet.
The steering column is positioned behind the axle of the front wheel. This design makes the knee walker more stable when you are pushing off. It will help prevent you from toppling over the front when bearing down on the handlebars with extra weight.
You may run into problems when operating it outdoors. It tends to want to tip over when you are operating it off road. Rocks, tree roots, curbs, etc. can cause some instability when you run over them. This is especially true when you have the disadvantage of an injured leg and/or have little practice operating the knee scooter. For outdoor settings, we recommend an all-terrain knee scooter.
The knee pad is made of a single cushion. It has two indentations. One indentation fits to your leg as you are moving. The other indentation can be used as a knee rest when the parking brake is on.
It can be adjusted up and down to accommodate your height. If you are shorter, you can adjust the knee pad down. If you are taller, you can adjust the knee pad up. The photo below shows the adjustment knob and the holes in the column which allows adjustment.
The brakes are on each side of the handlebar. The brakes operate much like a bicycle. When you squeeze them the knee scooter slows down and stops.
To lock the brakes, you just squeeze the brake handle and then press the lock button down. This function serves as a parking brake. When the brakes are in a locked position, the knee walker serves as a sturdy support as you are getting up and down from your chair, in and out of the shower, and other everyday tasks. It can also serve as a temporary seat while the brakes are locked.
Please note, no matter how good the brakes are, you should always take it slow, especially on inclines and when turning!
Below is an informational video from YouTube courtesy of Drive Medical.
Below is an unpacking and assembly instructions for the model 790 courtesy of the Mobility Shop on YouTube.
The best knee scooter we found for kids and short adults is the KneeRover Jr. All Terrain Knee Walker. This all terrain model allows you or your child to maintain an active lifestyle outdoors while recovering from an injury or surgery.
We chose an all-terrain model because it handles the outdoors and uneven surfaces much better than a traditional knee walker. If the knee scooter will be used outdoors, there is a clear advantage using an all-terrain version over a traditional knee walker.
The difference is in the tires. This all terrain version offers more stability through larger, air filled tires. The tires coupled with it being lower to the ground, makes it less likely to tip over compared to a traditional knee scooter. With traditional knee scooters that have smaller wheels, you run the risk of being thrown if you run over a rock or catch a wheel in a sidewalk gap. With these big tires, the likelihood of that happening is lower.
Below are a few key points for this knee scooter.
The KneeRover Jr. All Terrain knee scooter (among others from the same brand) are shown in the video below, courtesy of ConvaQuip Ind., Inc. on YouTube.
Before purchasing a knee scooter, there are several things you may want to consider. Below are a few bullet points with our rationale of each.
A knee walker will take a little bit of getting used to. At first, it may see a bit awkward, but after the short learning curve, you may be a pro in no time. If you have an upcoming surgery, go ahead and buy one ahead of time to practice beforehand. It’s best to learn and become accustomed to it while you are well. If it can be avoided, don’t wait until after your surgery to learn how to use it!
Be especially careful when turning or operating on an incline. Knee scooters have the tendency to flip you off if you are not careful. Operators who have a deteriorated physical condition should pay special attention.
Be sure to clean the wheels off before bringing it back in the house. After the wheels have rolled around outside, the knee walker can track dirt in just like the bottoms of your shoes.
The purpose of using a knee pad cover with your knee scooter is for the comfort they provide. The knee pad on many knee scooters are comfortable right out of the box. For those that use their knee scooter all day, some feel like they need a bit more cushion. That is where a knee pad cover comes into play.
Knee scooter covers also provide air circulation around your leg. Without a cover, expect your leg to “stick” to the knee pad due to sweat. Also, without a cover, the knee pad may rub your leg to the point of irritation and chafing. Instead of putting towels down across the knee pad, consider a knee pad cover. A knee pad cover will help eliminate these problems.
Our favorite is the Vive Knee Walker Cover. It is stretchable and will fit most knee walkers. It is a faux sheepskin / wool-like material. The measurements are 16” long x 8.5” wide x 4.5” deep. The knee scooter cover comes in a cream color and is machine washable. Be sure to check out the reviews on Amazon to see what others are saying about it.
Since a knee walker requires both hands to operate, you cannot safely hold on to items that you need to carry with you. Some knee walkers come with a basket, but others do not. Our recommended knee scooter, the Drive Medical DV8 model 790, does not come standard with a basket so you will need to purchase one separately if it is something you need.
Our favorite knee scooter basket is the “Schwinn Quick Release Wire Basket”. It can be purchased from Amazon for quick delivery. This basket is commonly used on bicycles, but is perfect for most knee scooters including our recommended model. It measures approximately 10″ x 13.5″ x 10″.
After you recover and you are all healed up, what will you do with you knee walker? Some folks keep it, donate it, or even resell it. Donating it is always a good option to help those who are less fortunate. In some cases, you may even be able to write it off as a donation from your tax return.
You can also resell it at a consignment shop, yard sale or online venue. To recoup most of your investment, consider selling it through Craigslist or eBay. Online venues typically have a more targeted reach simply because the audience is larger. A lot of times you can get 50% – 75% of what you paid for it back.
If you think you may resell your knee scooter online, consider keeping the packaging to make packing and shipping easier when that time comes.
We certainly hope you found this article informative as our goal with this article is to assist you in making a buying decision.
As outlined in this article, a knee walker can be an excellent alternative to crutches. They can offer the freedom of mobility while recovering from a broken bone or surgery. They also allow you at least some of the independence you enjoyed before your accident or medical procedure.
If you like our research be sure to check out our reviews of other healthcare related items including pill crushers and bed rails for seniors.
Thanks for reading and best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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