So you’ve had a foot or ankle injury or perhaps you are getting prepared for surgery to heal a stress fracture or remove bunions. Crutches are uncomfortable and they can cause nerve damage, so you choose the best alternative and rent a knee walker / knee scooter! What happens now? You have to set up the knee walker / knee scooter correctly. How do you know you’ve set everything up correctly?
First, read the instructions…pictures are not enough.
Make sure you have all the parts you are supposed to have.
Put the knee post into the frame. The proper height is when your good leg is flat on the floor while wearing a closed-toe shoe such as a sneaker and your injured leg is bent at a 90-degree angle.
You should be able to stand up straight and walk forward without having to hop on your tiptoes with your good foot.
Make sure you have the knee post adjustment knob or pin going through both the knee post and the frame. Some frames have the hole under the frame; others are located above the frame. Having the knob or pin through both the knee post and the frame will secure the knee pad so it cannot move left and right.
Do you have a split knee pad? If so place your knee on the front knee pad and your lower leg on the back knee pad with the lip of your cast or boot between the knee pads. This type of knee pad is designed to relieve pressure on your shin caused by the cast or boot.
Now to the handlebars. Make sure your tiller is in the upright and locked position. The tiller is the folding mechanism that allows the handlebars to fold down for easy transport. If the tiller is still a bit wobbly spin the tiller latch clockwise (tighty righty, lefty loosey) and tighten it back down.
Adjust the handlebars so that your arms are resting comfortably on them at a 90-degree angle or higher. You don’t want your handlebars too low as a quick stop could cause you to lose your center of gravity.
Make sure your height adjustment knob for your handlebars is snug as well. This will also help keep your handlebars from being wobbly.
Put on your basket or tote bag
Now you’re ready to roll! Take your time though! Go slow and get used to using the knee walker / knee scooter. Watch out for things on the road such as rocks, sticks and uneven sidewalks.
If something doesn’t feel right to you on the knee walker / knee scooter – stop using it immediately! Call us at 800-893-1264 and we are happy to help assist you.