If you've injured your lower leg and have been trying -- unsuccessfully -- to use crutches, start looking at knee scooters or knee walkers. These are crutch alternatives that reduce a lot of the physical strain that comes with trying to use two relatively unstable sticks as walking aids. While many people do use crutches successfully, sometimes different factors can make the crutches quite difficult to deal with. Crutch alternatives like knee scooters provide an easier way to move, though there are some major considerations.

Physical Setup

These knee scooters look a lot like children's push scooters crossed with either motorized scooters or walkers often used by elderly people. In the first version, a rectangular cushion sits on a frame with three or four wheels, plus handlebars with brakes. You place your injured leg on the cushion, bent at the knee. Using the handlebars and brakes, you scoot yourself down the sidewalk, through the parking lot, and across any other level spaces. In the second version, the cushion sits over a frame with four wheels, with a U-shaped handle above the cushion. There is a handbrake.

Easier Use

These scooters remove the pressure that your arms and shoulders can suffer when using regular crutches. Balance issues are less of a problem, too, especially if you have a four-wheeled model. Your movement will be a little smoother and faster because you won't have to haul yourself through each step; you can scoot a bit and coast. Do be aware that the scooters aren't toys, and you can't speed with them.

Also, if you stop and secure the scooter, you can use both hands to do something. If you don't secure the scooter but keep one hand on the brakes, you still have a free hand. With crutches, you can't really do that because your arms will still have to stabilize the crutches. Your hand movements will be limited.

Scooters and Stairs

Of course, these scooters can't go up or down stairs -- you'll have to plan outings as if you were in a mobility scooter. If you need to go somewhere where there are no ramps, or where ramps are located out of the way, crutches might be a slightly better option in that case. Also, knee scooters aren't that good if you have a hip or thigh injury. If you have those in addition to your lower leg injury and are having issues with crutches, speak to your doctor. There are hands-free crutches available, but those too rely on your hips and thighs being uninjured.

For more information on knee scooters, contact a medical equipment supplier, such as KneeRover.