10 Best Knee Walkers 2024 in the US

Knee walkers, or scooters, are meant for use when a patient is recovering from a knee injury or surgery. You rest the knee that underwent treatment on the scooter’s pad, and proceed to walk with your good leg while holding onto the handlebars. It is narrower than a typical walker, which makes it a better means of locomotion in many cases. Despite the name “knee walker”, these scooters are actually useful for people who have suffered an injury to their lower leg, foot, or ankle as well. They enable you to rest the injured limb until you recuperate, and let you move faster than on a pair of crutches. You see that there are scooters for resting the leg after calf and foot injuries, and other scooters for recuperating from knee injuries as well.

We've put together this guide to help you select the best knee walker that answers to your needs. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of knee walker,

• See useful tips about that type of knee walker,    

• Read reviews of different brands of knee walker, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of knee walker, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

• Seated walker: There are knee walkers where the cushion you sit and propel yourself with your good leg. The knee is not elevated in this model. The Roscoe Gemini seated scooter uses this design.

• Knee cushion: Most knee walkers have a cushion where you rest your knee. But be aware that some scooters are only for calf, ankle and foot injuries, whereas others are good for knee injuries as well.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Superior to crutches: People say that a knee walker allows them to do a lot of household chores--vacuuming, laundry, cooking--with an assurance that crutches do not provide. The scooter supports the injured leg while leaving both hands free.

• Supports a leg with a boot on it: People who have to walk with a walking boot after an ankle sprain find it much easier to use a scooter. The boot is rather heavy, and the scooter is a better option for resting the bad foot.

• Going down a ramp: One user recommended applying brakes before going down a ramp, and keeping the brake on, so as to avoid the knee walker getting away from you.

• Have to be mobile with the good leg: To use a knee walker, you need to have good strength and mobility overall, so as to propel it forward properly. Your good leg is your major means of propulsion forward, while the handlebars provide support for the upper body.

• Adjust to proper height: It is essential that you position the knee cushion or seat at the proper height, as well as the height of the handlebars. Most models of scooters allow you to make adjustments without any special tools.

• Braking: There is a brake on the handlebars of the knee walker, which resembles the brake on a bicycle. The brake is useful to stop your forward progress when going down an incline. But using it like a bicycle brake is not advised: it can cause you to stop abruptly, which could cause a fall. It is best to apply the brake only when you have completely stopped going forward with your good leg.

• Proceed with caution: When changing from one type of floor to another, be sure to slow down, and lean your weight backward. This is to avoid falling in the event the walker topples over or stops abruptly.

• How much to spend: The quality of knee walker that you should buy depends on how long you’ll be expecting to use it. If you have suffered a broken leg, where the recovery time can be long, then it’s best to invest in a higher-priced model. If your leg will need only a few weeks to recuperate, you can get by with a cheaper model, or just renting.

• Removable basket: A basket is a big help in a scooter--it can help you carry small belongings, or can be even big enough to carry some groceries. Check if your model of scooter comes or can accommodate a basket as well.

• Weight capacity: It’s important to check how much weight a scooter can support. Some compromise on the sturdiness of the frame, so that the scooter will be lighter overall. The Isokinetics scooter has an especially sturdy frame, which can support a person of 300 pounds.  

Roscoe Medical---is based in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. They were founded in 1996 as manufacturers of respiratory, pain management, and home medical equipment. They offer electrotherapy, ultrasound, hot/cold therapy, and rehabilitation and exercise, as well as a wide range of rollators, scooters, walkers, seats, crutches and accessories.

Isokinetics, Inc.--has been a supplier of consumer and professional equipment for physical therapy and rehabilitation. They make pain relief products, massage tools, orthopedic braces and supports, and knee scooters.

Healthline Trading--are manufacturers and distributors of healthcare products since 2006. They make wheelchairs and wheelchair cushions, hospital beds, bathroom aids, walkers, and rollators, as well as respiratory and power mobility products.

Medline-- are manufacturers and distributors of medical supplies, who were started in 1910 in Chicago, Illinois, by A.L. Mills, with making hospital garments (surgeon's gowns, nursing uniforms). They later expanded to providing general medical supplies as well. They now make lab supplies, nursing supplies, operating room and surgery equipment, as well as patient therapy and rehabilitation solutions.