Several knee problems range from injuries, arthritic knees, and bad knees due to ageing and recovery from knee surgery requires the best walking aid for knee injury.
In our article on types of walking aids and their uses, we discussed different kinds of ambulation aids and where they should be deployed. The correct selection of a walking aid suitable for every condition is essential to give the best support to the user.
In this article, we go in-depth about the different walking aids that can be deployed for knee injuries, bad knees, and after knee surgery.
Factors to Consider while Selecting the Best Walking Aid for Bad Knee
Selecting a walking aid for a bad knee will depend on many factors, and what walking aid you choose has to be peculiar to your condition.
The severity of your knee injury
How severe the pain in your knee is will determine the walking aid you select to help your movements. For example, a patient who has just undergone a knee replacement surgery needs to be fully non-weight bearing and must first understand how to manage non-weight-bearing injuries. A less severe knee injury may not require total non-weight bearing and a different selection of walking aid.
Select Walking aid Suitable for Knee
Some walking aids do not suit a knee problem. If the walking aid requires that you rest your knee on them, then they are unsuitable as your knee has to be free to prevent worsening of injury or healing after knee surgery. Walking aid such as a hands-free walker and knee scooters are unsuitable for knee problems because they require you to place your knee on a knee rest.
Types of Walking Aid for Knee problems
Below is a list of walking aids that are suitable for knee injury:
Crutches
Crutches are non-weight bearing walking aid and suitable to help mobility while dealing with knee injuries. Our article on the best crutches for long-term use reviews some of the top products to consider. To understand how to use crutches correctly, you should also read our article on walking with crutches.
Canes/Walking Sticks
Elderly people deal with balance problems, most of which are associated with weak knees, requiring a cane for support. There are different types of canes, with the most common single point and quad canes. They are suitable for weak knees and help with balance problems.
Walkers
There are different types of walkers; all are suitable walking aids for knee problems. However, while selecting a walker, you need to note the severity of your knee condition. Rollators are more suitable for less severe and partial-weight bearing injuries, while walkers (with no wheels) are suitable for non-weight bearing.
How to select the best walking aid for knee problem
After identifying the suitable walking aid, you need to choose a good product by ensuring they fit into the following:
Weight Limit
This is also known as the weight capacity of the walking aid. You should ensure that your weight is less than the selected product’s maximum weight capacity.
Previous Users Review
It’s easier to read reviews of products online, even if you buy in a physical store. This gives you the previous user’s experience and helps you decide if the product is what is being portrayed.
Comfort
Various factors contribute to the user’s comfort while using any walking aid. You must select a product that gives the best comfort while using it. These may include foam padding, ergonomic handgrip and other vital features that help comfort.
Adjustable
You must be able to adjust your walking aid to your preferences. This helps you to adjust to your height perfectly and ensures a perfect fit.
Top 10 Best Walking Aid for Bad Knees
#1. Ergobaum 7G by Ergoactives
Features Include:
- Style: Forearm crutch
- Available in pairs
- Weight Capacity: 350 pounds
- Weight of Crutches: 2.9 pounds
- Adjustable Handgrip Handle: 15º / 0º / -15º
- Recommended users height: 5’0″ – 6’6″
- Height of Crutches: Adjustable between 0″ – 40.0″
- Material: High-Grade Aluminum
- Standard cuff width: 3.50″ Cuff length: 7.00″
- Foldable to a smaller size: YES
- Spring-assisted technology: Available
- Leadlight in each crutch
#2. Mobilegs Ultra Crutches
Features Include:
- Style: Underarm Crutch
- Available in pairs
- Max Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Recommended Users Height: 4’9” to 6’4”
- Offset legs for clearance
- 1 ¼” of built-in dampening.
- Contoured Ergonomic Handgrip mimics natural wrist angle
- It is not foldable
- Spring-assisted technology available
- Mesh armpit rest for comfort
#3. Carex Folding Aluminum Underarm Crutches
- Style: Underarm crutches
- Available in pairs
- Maximum weight capacity: 250 pounds
- Recommended users height: 4’11” – 6’4″
- Foldable to a smaller size: YES
- Weight of crutches: 4.5 pounds
- Thick underarm pad
- Padded handgrip for comfort
- Material of construction: Aluminum
- Folded Dimension: 21” H x 5.5” W x 2” D
#4. Vive Folding Cane
Features include:
- Style: Single Point Cane
- The material used: Aluminum
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Adjustable Height of Cane: 33-37 inches
- Foldable and locked into a compact size
- Non-slip rubber tip
- The integrated wrist strap prevents falling
- Ergonomic handgrip
- Travel bag included
#5. HealthSmart Quad Walking Cane
Features Include:
- Style: Quad Point Cane
- Max Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Adjustable Cane Height: 29 to 38 inches (1-inch increment).
- Material Used: Aluminum and Rubber
- Quad base walking stick
- Suitable walking stick for men and women
- Quad dimension: 8 x 6 inches
- Foam padded handle
- Slip-resistant rubber tip
#6. HurryCane HCANE-BL-C2 Freedom Edition Foldable Walking Cane
Features Include:
- Style: 3-base points
- Material Used: Aluminum
- Adjustable cane height: 31-38 inches
- Maximum weight capacity: 350 pounds
- Three base points foot
- Non-slip rubber tip
- It comes with wrist traps preventing falling
- Length when folded: 14 inches
- WhisperFlex design of this cane with three prongs is always whisper quiet
#7. Drive Medical RTL10266 Nitro Euro-Style 4-Wheel Rollator
Features Include:
- Style: Four-wheel rollator
- Max weight limit: 300 pounds
- Weight of Walker: 18 pounds
- Wheel size: 10 inches canister
- Incorporated brake system
- Storage bag available
- Comfortable seat and backrest
- Foldable: YES
- Adjustable Height: YES
#8. Medline Rollator Walker
Features Include:
- Style: Four-wheel rollator
- Max weight limit: 350 pounds
- Weight of Rollator: 19 pounds
- Material Used: Steel
- Handgrip adjust between 31-35 inches
- Canister wheel size: 6 inches
- Padded seat and backrest for comfort
- Storage pouch
- Foldable: YES
- Width Between Handles: 17.5”
#9. Drive Medical 10257BL-1 4-Wheel Rollator Walker
Features Include:
- Style: Four-wheel rollator
- Adjustable handgrip: 31-35 inches
- Weight limit: 350 pounds
- Canister wheel size: 7.5 inches
- Weight of Rollator: 19 pounds
- Foldable: YES
- Storage pouch/bag included
- Ergonomic handgrip
- Padded seat and backrest
#10. Drive Medical 10200-1 Deluxe 2-Button Folding Walker
Features Include:
- Style: No-wheel Walker
- Weight Limit: 300 pounds
- Adjustable height: 32-39 inches
- Suitable for Non-weight bearing
- Weight of walker: 6 pounds
- The material used: Aluminum
Conclusion
Many knee injuries, like a meniscus tear, arthritis, tendon tear, and ACL tear, among many others, may require a walking aid. If it is severe to warrant non-weight bearing, crutches and standard walkers are good options. Canes and rollators are suitable options for knee problems that are not severe but lead to balance issues, especially in seniors.