When recovering from an injury or surgery, the right mobility aid can make all the difference in how quickly and comfortably you heal. While crutches, knee scooters, and other tools may provide short-term solutions, they can sometimes create challenges that hinder your recovery. The iWALK crutch, on the other hand, is designed to promote long-term healing by offering superior comfort, reducing strain, and helping to prevent complications during the non-weight bearing (NWB) period. Here’s how mobility aids like iWALK can impact your long-term recovery.
- The Problem with Traditional Crutches
Traditional crutches are the most commonly used mobility aid for leg injuries that require a NWB period. While effective in keeping weight off the injured leg, crutches come with several downsides. First, they place a significant strain on the arms, shoulders, and upper body, leading to discomfort and potential overuse injuries. Crutches also force you to adopt an awkward posture, which can lead to back pain, shoulder strain, and muscle imbalances.
In the long run, using traditional crutches for extended periods can create new problems on top of the injury itself, slowing down recovery and leading to additional discomfort. This is where the iWALK crutch makes a difference—it provides a more comfortable and natural way to stay mobile while ensuring that the injured leg remains elevated and protected.
- Preventing Muscle Atrophy
One of the most significant concerns during a NWB period is muscle atrophy. When you can’t put weight on your injured leg, the muscles in that leg begin to weaken and shrink. This muscle loss can extend the recovery period and make rehabilitation more difficult.
The iWALK crutch helps address this problem by promoting a more natural walking motion, which engages both legs. By distributing weight evenly across both legs, the iWALK crutch prevents excessive muscle loss in your healthy leg while ensuring that your injured leg is kept off the ground. This helps preserve strength and flexibility in both legs, which supports a faster recovery when you’re cleared to bear weight on the injured leg.
- Improving Circulation and Healing
Maintaining good circulation is vital for the healing process. Traditional crutches often force you to lean forward, which can restrict circulation and lead to complications like swelling and poor blood flow. The iWALK crutch encourages a more natural, upright walking posture that allows for better circulation. This increased blood flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the injured area, promoting faster healing and reducing swelling.
- Reducing Secondary Injuries
Secondary injuries, such as back pain or overuse injuries in the healthy leg, are common when using traditional crutches. The strain placed on the upper body and healthy leg can lead to muscle imbalances, joint pain, and discomfort. The iWALK crutch eliminates many of these issues by allowing you to maintain a more natural walking pattern. It reduces the risk of secondary injuries, providing greater comfort and support during your recovery.
- Maintaining Independence and Mental Well-Being
In addition to the physical benefits, the iWALK crutch also helps maintain your independence. Traditional crutches can make everyday tasks, such as cooking, carrying groceries, or running errands, much more difficult. The hands-free design of the iWALK crutch allows you to perform these tasks with ease, promoting a greater sense of independence and improving your mental well-being.
Conclusion
The right mobility aid can have a profound impact on your long-term recovery. While traditional crutches may serve as a temporary solution, they can create complications and hinder healing in the long run. The iWALK crutch, on the other hand, promotes natural movement, prevents muscle atrophy, improves circulation, and reduces strain on your body. By supporting your recovery process and maintaining your independence, the iWALK crutch ensures that you heal faster and more effectively.
