February 15, 2022

Knee Scooter, Crutches or Wheelchair: Pros and Cons For Injury Recovery

Written by: Andyessy Chioma

Once you sustain an injury that affects your mobility, the next thing is to figure out how to move around.

Because you need to keep the weight off your injured leg, you will have to consider getting a knee scooter, wheelchair or crutches.

While all of them can help you get around, you definitely want to go with the one that can make your recovery and moving around a lot easier.

You may be wondering how to tell which one is the best option for you.

Well, not to worry because in this article, we shall be stating the pros and cons of these three mobility aids.

Our aim is to help you make an informed decision when seeing your doctor and settling for any of them.

 

Crutches

The oldest mobility aid device on this list is crutches. Their existence can be traced back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians. The only thing is that adjustments have been made to crutches so that they become more comfortable. However, they have not changed much in form and functionality.

Crutches will get the job done even with its basic mobility. Let’s check out the pros and cons of using crutches.

 

Pros of using crutches

  • Easier to carry because they are small and light
  • Can be taken along when using a private or public transport
  • Can be used in small spaces like bathrooms and toilets
  • Can be used on stairs
  • Offers good workout for the upper body and the good leg
  • The most affordable mobility aid device

Having listed some of the advantages of using crutches, there are some disadvantages you should also be aware of. Here are some of them:
 

Cons of using crutches

  • Requires upper body strength for every movement you make
  • User might fall when walking on slippery surfaces because crutches are not very stable as other options
  • Makes it difficult to carry anything in your hands, especially if you went grocery shopping
  • Long use of crutches can cause shoulder, arm and hand pains

 

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of using crutches, here is a little recap of what using crutches entails. You need to have decent upper body strength, if you are opting for crutches. They are the best option if you don’t need to always be on the move. They are also good if your injury is just on one knee or foot. When using crutches, ensure that you adjust them to your height so as to improve stability and reduce pain in the arm.

 

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair is another mobility aid that has been in existence for a long time. Its design has not changed much in design since it was invented in 1783. However, today, there are a lot of modifications that have been made to make it easier for its users. Let’s check out the pros and cons.
 

Pros of using wheelchairs

  • Very comfortable to use when compared to crutches
  • Allows you to carry things on your lap or tray
  • Does not require balancing and is very stable with little chance of tripping over
  • Can be used in place of a seat when eating on the dining table or working at your desk
  • Some are electric-powered so that you don’t need to use your hand or have someone push you when you need to get around
  • Can be folded up and put in the car

 

Cons of using wheelchairs

  • They are usually big and cannot maneuver small spaces like restrooms
  • Requires that you have someone help you get in and out of vehicles
  • They cannot be used on the stairs
  • May offer some workout for the upper body but not for the uninjured knee or leg making them weaker even as you recover

Even with its cons, wheelchairs are no doubt the most comfortable mobility aid option. They have no issues with poor balancing and offer enough rest for your injured leg. If you are in need of a mobility aid for prolonged use, your best bet would be a wheelchair.

 

Knee Scooter

Knee scooters also known as knee walkers are the newest mobility aid for leg injuries. They have gained huge popularity in the shortest period of time. Looking at knee scooters from an angle, they seem to offer both advantages that wheelchairs and crutches offer. Let’s get down to some of the pros and cons of using knee scooters.

 

Pros of using knee scooters

  • They are portable and can be used in small places just like crutches
  • They also offer stability like the wheelchair
  • Can accommodate a basket to help you carry items
  • Allows you to use your upper body for cooking or carrying out others chores
  • Keeps the uninjured leg active for when you fully recover

 

Cons of using knee scooters

  • Cannot be used on stairs
  • May be difficult to transport as many models do not fold
  • They are the most expensive mobility aid device out of the three listed here

 

Conclusion

Having gone through the pros and cons of each of the three mobility aid devices in this article, we hope you are better informed at what to expect from each of them.

Additionally, with the information contained in this piece, you will be able to reach a decision on which one to go for. Nevertheless, you need to work with your doctor while at it.

And if you are wondering where to get any of the mobility aids we listed in this article, you can refer to our articles on the best mobility aid for when you sustain an injury.

Article written by Andyessy Chioma
Andyessy Chioma is a professional and versatile freelance writer. She holds a first degree in Mass Communication and Masters in Communication. Her passion is to turn business readers into leads with interesting and persuasive contents. Andyessy has been writing professionally since 2010. Plus, she spent most of her career working with tabloids and radio houses as a news editor. At this point in her career, she is channeling her energy to helping business owners maximize profit through content. She is happily married with two lovely kids and another on the way!

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