The knee scooter has been tested and well proven to be an affective rehabilitation device, the following includes a study placed on the knee scooter in order to find out if the use of the device actually allowed the injured participant to expend less energy than if they were using crutches.
The Study for the Knee Scooter
The study used to test this was done by sixteen physically fit volunteers that were anywhere from twenty one to forty years old with the average age being twenty five. These study participants first practiced using crutches on a larger than normal treadmill to simulate the use of the devices on a normal street or place where someone would travel typically by foot. The treadmill was used so that they could be monitored in a stationary environment. Each of the volunteers then walked three kilometers an hour for exactly five minutes on each one of the devices in a completely random sequence. The study was done in a controlled environment using protocols to help ensure accuracy of results so we can be more confident of the statistical data created. While this helps to show the efficiency of the device it does not prove beyond a shadow of a doubt its effectiveness due to countless variables that would take far too long to measure in a practical scientific study for people to participate in.
Since the purpose of the test was to see how much energy was being used, their “gas exchange” was monitored by using a device called the Oxycon-4 gas analyzer. Additionally, the participants were asked to give their own description of the RPE (rating of perceived exertion) each minute. After doing this same test with each of the volunteers, the data was compiled and found that the overall energy that is exerted in order to use a knee scooter is twenty five percent less than with crutches. Below is a table with the results of the testing.
Results of the Knee Scooter Test
Study Link: Knee Scooter Tested
As you can see from the tables, the perceived expenditure of energy used in order to use a knee scooter (also called a knee walker) as well as the actual energy used are both lower than when compared to crutches. This shows that with a physically fit person a knee scooter is definitely easier to use.
The Other Side of the Knee Scooter Test
There is another side of this study that should be taken into consideration. Because a physically fit person can use a knee scooter easier than another device, does not necessarily mean that it can be used more easily in all scenarios. For instance, let’s say that each of the participants had a knee injury and were asked to do the same experiments. With every motion of using the knee scooter the volunteers would be hit with pain from their injury and in some cases may not even be able to finish the trial. Now imagine them on crutches with the same injury – you can imagine that it would be much easier on the crutches because there is no pressure being placed on the knee. The result of the experiment would have been greatly changed if put in a more realistic scenario because after all, who is going to use a knee scooter if they aren’t injured?
Knee Scooter Study Conclusion
Therefore we can come to a reasonable conclusion that the amount of energy expelled from using any rehabilitation device is dependent largely upon the size and placement of the injury at hand. In the end this device is an excellent alternative to most any other medical device depending on the injury but as with most things there are far too many variables to take into consideration for a completely black and white answer. It may be worth your time to visit a medical device shop and test out each on your own to help determine what seems to flow best with you body. Our bodies are amazing machines that can tell us what is best for it if we listen closely, and by making the right decision based on this information we can make the recovery process far more tolerable and return to a fully active lifestyle in a short amount of time. In contrast, choosing the wrong device for our injury can prolong the recovery time, make it extremely unpleasant as well as create new injuries or lead to different rehabilitation int he long run due to muscle atrophy.
For this reason the experiment should only be used as a general guide for what you can expect from a knee scooter. In the end as we have mentioned in our previous articles, you will need to consult a physician as well as test for yourself to find out what is best for you and your body.
