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The iWalk: A Hands-Free Crutch Alternative
Yesterday at my photo studio, the photographer showed up with an ankle injury and on crutches. This being a product shoot requiring precise placement of the lights, it took him at least twice as long to get the set-up he desired, as he had to clutch the crutches with his armpits in order to free up his hands.
A smart, hands-free alternative to crutches is the iWalk, designed for those who have sustained an injury below the knee:
Enter a caption (optional)While it appears that the iWalk shifts weight to the knee, which anyone with bad knees can tell you is a terrible idea, the body's weight is actually borne along the top of the shin. "The patellar region is not in contact with the platform," the company writes, "and thus does not bear any direct weight when using the iWALK 2.0."
Enter a caption (optional)
Enter a caption (optional)The company claims you can navigate stairs and even sit down with the device on, although you'll need some clearance in front of you for the latter.
Enter a caption (optional)The iWalk will set you back $149.
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I broke an ankle a few years back and got one of these (iWalk 2.0) on my own dime as it wasn't covered by insurance. It's relatively easy to adjust for different users and once you get the hang of the straps it's very quick and easy to get in and out of, but if you use it for too long or rely on it as your sole mobility aid, the straps may start to dig into the back of your leg and you'll need more padding to keep comfortable. It's pretty easy to get around and mostly hands-free (the handle above the knee works kind of like a cane and adds some stability if needed), so it does serve its purpose well. I've made mine freely available to my circle of friends and I think it's passed through about five injured friends over the years, and they've all been thankful for its use.