Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Got this about a week ago to use while recuperating from a broken ankle. I’m a slightly overweight 62 year old female, normally pretty active (yard work, never-ending heavy housework/cooking, home maintenance, lots of walking, but no running or high intensity exercise), mild back and hip issues (more on that below). My opinion: 1. Be totally honest and realistic about your normal level of balance, activity and stamina before purchasing. If you are normally not very active, are notably overweight/obese, or have ANY balance issues, this is not for you. I pushed my luck a bit ordering this because I have some mild hip arthritis in the hip opposite my injury (the one bearing most of the weight with ANY assistive device). Crutches caused LOTS of pain in that hip so I felt I had to try something else. While this does aggravate my hip some, it’s not nearly as bad as with the crutches, and I feel it’s within an acceptable range. That said, that’s not a design flaw or the product’s fault. Just a fact that, like with any product, it’s not for everyone. You really must watch all the videos and read all the recommendations BEFORE you buy. 2. Another note about weight: there are limits on how large your leg can be for the straps to fit properly, so if you are “thick” that could be a problem. So even though I’m a bit overweight, my thigh is small enough. The straps have to be very snug at all times and there is no “stretch”, so your leg really can’t be larger than the measurements they give. 3. I’m surprised by some of the reviews saying they’ve walked miles using this device because I find the pressure from the tightness of the straps uncomfortable to my injury, especially from the strap closest to my cast/calf. I’ve had swelling that I feel is caused by the tightness of the straps. The tightness is necessary so the device doesn’t move around, so I don’t think this can be avoided, but it makes my injured area ache after a while and I can’t imagine having it on for any extended period of time (as in, more than 1/2 hour max at a time). Also, the knee that rests on the device gets tired and somewhat sore after a while, so I can’t imagine walking on this for a long time or long distance. But, the same thing also happens with the knee scooter. 4. Know that as you put your weight down on the device as you step/walk, there is jarring/jiggling that occurs and that may cause discomfort in your affected leg (depending on what your injury is). Same with hitting bumps on knee scooter. 5. Don’t use this on unsteady surfaces, any more than you would with crutches. So I’d suggest you disregard reviews referring to people walking in the sand on a beach, carrying heavy materials, or hiking up mountains. Dangerous, IMO. If you seriously stumble with this on, I think there’s a good chance you won’t be able to keep from falling, so unless you want to injure yourself further, I don’t think it’s worth it for a “look what I can do!” moment. Even if I was younger. Also, you should really check with your doctor/surgeon about using this device (as the product recommends): does he/she think it’s ok, especially how/where the straps will go and how tight they must be; are they ok with using it for long periods where it could be tight and maybe impact circulation? How your foot will hang over, the pressure on your knee, the jarring?? Also, if part of your instructions are to “take it a little easy” as you recuperate, does your doc really want you trying to do ALL the things you normally do right now?? 6. Don’t try and carry anything that will put your balance off or shift around in one shoulder, like a backpack or heavy purse. Maybe you could do a back back on your BACK, but nothing on one shoulder. Same with holding/carrying things in front - be careful or better yet avoid anything large or potentially unwieldy. I was particularly bothered by one of the product images showing a woman holding a toddler in front of her. Not good, IMO. 7. For me, this device is ONE of the tools that is helpful, not something I can use in every situation. I have found it most useful for going up and down longer sets of stairs in my home, while doing tasks in the laundry room or kitchen, or walking short distances outside doing things where I really do want to try and have both hands free. But, I still go very slowly and am close to something if I feel unsteady. And the stairs, laundry and kitchen are the places I was struggling the most. So because this has allowed me improved mobility in those circumstances, I feel this is worth it and I’m glad I have it. The knee scooter gets me around most places, but as someone else mentioned, they are not perfect either: a normal crack/seam in a sidewalk (or your kitchen floor tile) or a tiny rock can throw it off balance very easily and potentially cause a fall. Two hands at all times! 8. Realize, if you are going to be getting up and down often, you will probably want to take this off when sitting. I guess you CAN leave it on, but the strap are tight (I worry about circulation with it tight for a long time, especially behind the knee), when seated, the device/foot portion sticks out in front and your injured/impaired foot will be on the ground with your knee bent and the weight of the device (though not much) will be pressing down. I think if you’re supposed to be “non weight-bearing” that could be an issue. I felt like it was for me. As a woman, there would be no way I’d even attempt to use the bathroom without taking it off. 9. Just like with crutches, the bottom of the “foot” has a rubber tip, so it can get caught on rugs, carpets, hardwood, whatever, creating a potential to stumble. 10. I found that, for the best fit, erring on the device being a tad shorter than your other leg, rather than it being even a bit too tall, was best for me (so the “toe” doesn’t catch). 11. I often have to hold onto the little handle when stepping with it so i feel like I have a little more control over how the “toe” will clear the floor as I stride. So, in that sense, I don’t feel I can be totally “hands free” 100% of the time, but because it suits my needs otherwise, I’m ok with that. Others might not be. 12. Understand that your stride with this device (just like with crutches) is not like your normal striding gait, even if you have perfect balance. There is a different sort of “swing” to it. It is tiring! Overall, it’s well made, I feel it serves a purpose as one of the tools that is helping my mobility while I recover. It’s a bit pricey for the 6 or so weeks that I will need it. But given that I can’t just be inactive for 6 weeks, I feel the improvement in my mobility, even for that short time, is worth it to me.