Knee walkers are a fun alternative to crutches – especially for kids. Instead of having to hop around on one foot, kids can glide up and down the hallways at school or in the house. While they probably shouldn’t, children also love racing other kids around on their scooters.
If your child is recovering from an injury or battling a medical condition that affects mobility, you may be wondering if a knee scooter is a good option for you.
Why Would Kids Need a Knee Walker?
To determine whether a knee walker is right for your child, you need to know why these scooters are used in the first place.
Typically, doctors will recommend crutches or knee scooters when a below-the-knee injury requires a non-weight bearing recovery. These injuries might include:
- Ankle surgery
- Achilles tendon
- Ankle fusion
- Ankle arthritis
- Hammer toe
- Broken ankle
- Heel spur surgery
Diabetic children may also use a knee walker if they’re suffering from certain foot conditions.
Below-the-knee injuries are common in children, especially if they play sports or are highly active outdoors. Injuries can and do happen to kids, but a scooter can help make the recovery process less stressful and more fun.
The Benefits of a Knee Scooter for Kids
There are many benefits to children using a knee walker instead of crutches, such as:
- Speed: Scooters are more fun to use, and they don’t slow you down like crutches. Kids can maintain a normal walking speed when using a scooter, which is helpful for getting from one class to another on time.
- Easy Maneuverability: Knee walkers give kids more control and are easier to maneuver than crutches and other mobility aids. With a scooter, you can make tighter turns without any issues. Most are able to handle any terrain without sliding or slipping.
- Comfort: Crutches can be uncomfortable to use. Knee walkers give the underarms a rest while providing cushioning for the lower body.
- Strength: Small knee scooters allow kids to stay standing, which allows them to carry out their daily routine. It also helps them maintain strength in their legs and avoid atrophy, which is common with crutches and wheelchairs. When using a scooter, your arms are free to reach for things, do chores or whatever else needs to be done.
Last – but certainly not least – scooters are just more fun to use. They won’t slow you down, and they make it easy to continue on with your daily routine.
What to Consider When Buying a Kids Knee Scooter
There are several things that need to be considered when buying a pediatric knee walker.
- Body Type: Consider the child’s height and weight. There are pediatric sizes available, but if your child is particularly tall or heavy, an adult model may be required. It’s important to measure the height of your child’s leg when choosing a scooter to ensure that it’s the right height and size.
- Activity Level: For kids who are active and love to be outdoors, you’ll need a scooter that can handle a wide range of terrain types. For less-active children, a lightweight model may be the better option. Models that have built-in baskets are usually the best option for kids.
- Comfort: Four-wheel scooters will provide a smoother ride. Make sure there’s enough padding to keep the knee comfortable, and – most importantly – make sure the scooter is the right height to prevent further injury and discomfort.
All Terrain KneeRover Jr – Steerable Kids Knee Walker Review
There are many petite knee scooters on the market today, but there’s one in particular that we like – and it’s made especially for kids: the KneeRover Jr Knee Scooter. Other models may be height-adjustable to suit some older children, but this one was designed with kids in mind.
Let’s take a closer look at what this scooter has to offer:
- 9” pneumatic tires
- Adjustable knee platform and handlebars
- Smooth steering
- 250-lb weight capacity
- For users between 4’3” and 5’9”
KneeRover is a well-known and respected brand in the industry, so you can be sure that this scooter is durable and going to last. Kids will love that this model has 9” pneumatic tires, which means that this scooter can ride on just about any terrain, including grass, dirt, gravel and even over gaps in the sidewalk.
All KneeRover scooters have a tie-rod steering mechanism as well as a training wheel to allow for maximum stability. It will take kids a little bit of time to get used to using the scooter, but they’ll get the hang of it pretty quickly. The scooter also has a locking handbrake for added safety.
The scooter can be adjusted to accommodate users between 4’3” and 5’9”, which makes it a great fit for children of almost any age. And the 250-lb weight capacity should accommodate both kids and teens.
When kids are done using the scooter, they can fold it up and store it away. The folding mechanism also makes this model a great option for traveling, as you can easily put it in the trunk of your vehicle.
As far as comfort goes, this scooter has a 3” cushion with a contoured design to keep the knee comfortable. The height of the handlebar and the knee pad can be adjusted to prevent pain and discomfort during use.
KneeRover includes an attached basket for easy storage of your child’s most important items. The basket is great for kids who need to use the scooter during school, as it gives them a place to store their books or personal items.
There’s a lot to love about the KneeRover Jr., but what we really love is that it allows kids to continue with their normal lives. They don’t have to miss out on being with their friends and they can get anywhere they need to go without slowing down. The scooter’s large wheels mean that they can go to the beach, the park or anywhere in between without thinking twice about it.
The KneeRover Jr. is a perfect knee scooter for kids. It allows them to be independent and have fun without letting their injury holding them back.
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