iWALK is the Best Alternative to Crutches or Knee Scooters, Here's Why

With so many options, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which mobility device is best for you. When you do the comparisons, the iWALK crutch is the clear winner, but hey, we’re biased. Do you own comparisons, and decide which mobility device is best for you.

The Two Types of Crutches

Almost no one really wants to use traditional crutches, but when you have a foot injury, you may have no choice. The two most common types of crutches are underarm and forearm crutches:

Underarm

This is the traditional type of crutch you’ve seen the most, especially in the US. It has a pad below your armpit and a handle about halfway down the length of the crutch. Underarm crutches can help you balance and almost seem like an extension of your arms.

After using them for some time, however, people often get pain in their wrists, armpits, and hands. The strain on the hands can even create blisters. And you actually need a lot of upper body strength to use them for long. Plus, if you stand still and rest your armpits on the pads, it can injure sensitive nerves there.

Forearm

Forearm crutches are smaller and lighter than underarm crutches, so they’re easier to store and transport than underarm crutches. They each have a handle and a cuff that lightly grips your forearm. Since they don’t reach the armpit area, they can’t cause pain there. But they can still cause blisters on your hands and strain to your wrists.

Alternatives to Crutches

Alternatives to crutches are often larger (except the iWALK crutch). They can be easier to use than crutches, but wheelchairs and knee scooters don’t let you continue your regular activities easily.

Wheelchair

A wheelchair won’t strain your wrists or press on your armpits. It also doesn’t take any balancing or practice to use. Using one by yourself can still take some strength and stamina, though, and it won’t allow you to do certain everyday tasks.

Knee Scooter

Knee scooters don’t strain your hands, which you use to hold onto the handlebars. You might feel unsteady using one, because you have to balance a little, and the wheels can make it feel like it could slide out from under you.

iWALK Crutch

This award-winning device can help if you have an injury below your knee. It’s like a crutch alternative for your leg. It grips your upper leg and holds your lower leg comfortably in a bent position. Then, with a small amount of practice, you can walk normally while using your hands to do everyday tasks and even walk on the stairs. The iWALK crutch is also easy to adjust and store.

A foot injury can disrupt your life. We get it. Crutches, the iWALK crutch, and other devices can give you a lot of your mobility back while you’re healing. But only the iWALK crutch, the ultimate alternative to crutches, lets you walk normally while still using your hands to walk the dog, cook, shop, and work.

Compare the Differences

iWALK

Traditional Crutch

Knee Scooter

Will this device work for lower leg injuries?

Works for all lower leg non-weight-bearing injuries.

Works for almost all lower leg non-weight-bearing injuries.

Works for almost all lower leg non-weight-bearing injuries.

Will this device eliminate pain in my hands, arms, wrists or underarms?

Pain-free in hands, arms, wrists and underarms.

Pain in hands, wrists, and arms (especially underarms for underarm crutches).

Pain-free in hands, arms, wrists and underarms.

Will it keep my injury partially elevated?

Partial elevation of injury, known for speeding healing.

No elevation benefits.

Partial elevation of injury, known for speeding healing.

Is this device hands free?

Completely hands-free, return to a normal and independent lifestyle.

Hands are fully involved in supporting body weight.

Hands are fully involved to steer and balance.

Can this device be used on stairs?

Easy to use on stairs, using legs for balance and hands for the rails.

Very hard to use on stairs when balancing on one leg while hands are occupied.

Not possible to use on stairs, even going over a small curb is dangerous.

Can you use this device on different terrain?

Usable on different surfaces (grass, gravel, carpet, concrete).

Somewhat useable on different surfaces through good strength & balance.

Difficult or impossible to use on any loose or uneven surfaces.

Can this device be used in tight spaces?

Useable in tight spaces like kitchens or bathrooms.

Somewhat usable in tight spaces, although space is needed to move crutches around.

Difficult or impossible to use on any loose or uneven surfaces.

Is this device easy to transport?

Easy to transport, packs 4.2lbs into size of a shoebox in 2 minutes without tools.

Inconvenient to travel with, does not pack small.

Very hard to travel with, large and bulky weighing 20lbs+.

Will this device enable me to continue my daily activities?

Do about everything you used to do in your daily routine.

Extremely limiting, you will need assistance for most daily tasks.

Extremely limiting, can only be on level ground, and no small spaces.

This doesn't even include all our clinical benefits!

Unlike traditional crutches and knee-scooters, the design of the iWALK leads to numerous medical advantages to help with injury recovery, proven by independent research.

Learn more about our clinical benifits.

iWALK Crutch – The Clear Winner

It’s no contest. When it comes to hands free, pain free, functional mobility there is no comparison – the iWALK crutch outperforms any crutch options, knee scooters and every other mobility device, hands down. And hands free!

Learn more about the award winning iWALK crutch.

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