The most obvious benefit of the iWalk Free leg crutch in comparison to conventional crutches, is that it is hands-free. Hands-free means that there is no interruption to your normal day-to-day routine. It may sound basic, but it is a freedom that conventional crutches or other crutch alternatives (such as knee scooters) cannot provide.
We are the best crutch kneeling scooter alternative (no, we aren't just bragging) because the iWALK 2.0 makes it possible to do things like walking the dog, cooking, making copies, opening a door – simple tasks that take on a whole new level of difficulty when you use conventional crutches. With iWALK 2.0 as your crutch alternative, you can live the lifestyle you did before your injury.
With iWALK 2.0 as your crutch alternative, you don't have to adjust your lifestyle for weeks or months as your tibia fracture injury heals. Instead, you can simply continue your typical routine.
The iWALK 2.0 improves upon conventional crutches in many significant ways:
- Enhanced mobility
- Greater comfort
- Ankle replacement
- Ability to manage daily activities
- Ability to remain independent
- Improved motor function
- Improved personal safety
- Improved ability to exercise
- Improved emotional well-being
- Potential for reduction in muscle atrophy, strength and bone density loss
- Potential for shortened rehabilitation time
iWalk2.0 Testimonials:
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"I use it every minute of the day and I seriously rely on it as if it was my leg. I would be lost without it."
-–Daniel Lee Hoel WI.
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"Thank you for inventing the iWALKFREE. It's a great design that returns much of my physical abilities (and emotional well being) during my recuperation."
—Bill Rennie P. Eng. AB.
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"I started out on crutches, switched to a wheel chair and then I heard about iWALKFREE…by the next day, I amazed everyone with my mobility…the best part was that I could carry stuff and open doors."
—Robert Livingstone ON.
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The brace fits well and I am using it with a great deal of satisfaction. Many, many thanks for the prompt personal attention that you gave this matter.”
—Cliff Johnson
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“Crutches are really from hell, you know. Can someone please tell me why, with so many advances in medical science, are crutches still designed as implements of torture? When did having a wrecked ankle mean that I would lose the ability to use my hands?!
I'm sure crutches are part of the arsenal of implements of torture in hell and Satan makes you use them to do things like go up and down stairs, carry hot cups of coffee, or even eat a banana without sitting down. Since I'm not going there, I figured I wouldn't want to experience hell for the months I would be off my foot.
There was no way I would be able to be out and about using crutches and/or a wheelchair.
While researching Achilles tendon injuries and treatments online, I came upon something called an Iwalkfree hands free crutch. I tried it on, did a bit of wobbling and hobbling, then finally got the hang of putting it on and taking it off. That took me about 15 minutes. I was very impressed with the simplicity of the device. Why in the world do hospitals and clinics not even mention that something like this exists? No matter. I have it and you can't take it away from me.
I was able to get out of the car with my wife and kids, walk to the back of the school where all the parents were waiting with their kids, and not feel crippled as I would with crutches.
I was able to get my own coffee, cook my own lunch and carry it all to the chair. I took a little walk in the neighborhood after I dropped off the kids at school. Not very far mind you. I'm still getting used to walking with this wonderful device. Later, I even made some meat sauce . I actually carried a large pot of hot water from the sink to the stove without spilling a drop! There was no way I could do that with crutches!
After dinner with the family, we did some groceries. I insisted that I walk behind a shopping cart instead of using their lovely motorized scooter thing. You know, the one with the little basket in the front. Although my kids and wife wanted me to use it, there was no way I was going to jam myself into that wide-load vinyl seat, grab those tiny handlebars and honk that anemic horn as I put-put through the isles. I'm sure the kids wanted me to use it so they could take a ride too.
Instead, I confidently WALKED through the isles and shopped like everyone else.”
—John Crespi – Toronoto, Ontario
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“ I ruptured my Achilles tendon on June 7, 2010. My right foot will be non-weight bearing for 3 months. After being on conventional crutches for one week and discovering how limited they were (e.g. heating up a coffee in the microwave and taking it to the kitchen table becomes an exercise in strategic planning), I found the IWALKFREE.. After a minor fall going down stairs on the crutches, I ordered the iWALKFREE. I strapped it on and went to dinner the same day. I did not feel very stable but thought "This is your best chance for mobility for the next 3 months…get used to it!". I am happy to report I DID get used to it and highly recommend it.
I read on productwiki a reviewer who believed it was not designed well for males since the top strap rides high into your crotch. I've had no issues at all.
I'm no ballerina or superstar athlete. I can ride a bike, ski blues and occasional blacks and do a 10K in about an hour, I have decent adaptable balance. You will place additional load on your "good leg" especially going up and down steep terrain, e.g. hiking up a moderately inclined mountain trail that was supposed to take 15 minutes walking took me about 20 – 25 minutes on the iWalk. I don't believe reviewers who've said you need to be "very athletic".
With repeated practice I can take it on/off in 15 to 30 seconds WITHOUT any help. I think this is a decent trade off against the overall mobility it provides.
By my 3rd day with it, I went to Costco by myself for about 3 hours…I purposely avoided parking in a wheel chair spot. I had at least 5 people approach me to ask about it and enough staring/gawking to make me think I was a real hottie.
I can see that its genius is in its simplicity. I am a fan of this device and highly recommend it to everyone I talk to.”
—Norman Chan – Vancouver, BC
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"Just a quick note to thank you for the iWALKFREE. I had a very bad injury to my left foot and ankle: multiple 3rd/4th degree sprains, torn plantar fascia, etc. I was on crutches for 4 months before I stumbled onto the iWALKFREE (just searching around online). It changed the entire experience of my injury. Of course, the main thing was that I could be mobile and use my hands at the same time. After four months on crutches, just being able to carry a glass of water from one room to another was a wonderful extravagance. I used the iWALKFREE for another 6 months before I was able to walk again. I got very comfortable with it. I went hiking with it over lava beds in Hawaii. I learned to up and down stairs pretty quickly with it. I went dancing with it (and it was hilarious).
It really made a huge, positive difference in my healing process. Thanks very, very much."
—Hawkeye Parker – San Francisco, CA
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"After 2.5 years of struggling to save a badly damaged leg, I elected to have the lower half of my right leg amputated. While I knew I would obtain a prosthetic leg, I already had well over 2 years of dealing with crutches and wasn't particularly looking forward to using crutches on and off for the rest of my life. After searching the Internet, I located iWalk-free.com and was simply amazed at what I found! This product wouldn't have changed my mind about the amputation, as I am extremely happy with my level of activity with my prosthetic, but I wish I had found the website years earlier. As I understand, these units were initial designed to help individuals with lower leg injuries (ankle, foot, etc) … but it is a God-send, in my opinion, for below-knee amputees!
When packing for any over-night trip, my 'crutch' is always right beside my luggage. When flying, I don't trust the airlines not to lose it, so it is one of my carry-on pieces.
At six months post-op, I had the opportunity to go on a short-term mission trip with my church. Every evening after taking off my prosthetic leg, I used the hands-free crutch to get to the shower, since I don't have a 'shower leg'. The facility we were in wasn't handicap friendly, but with the crutch, I had no problem getting around without my prosthetic leg.
Last summer while on vacation, I wore it on the beach and into the water so I could go snorkeling with my daughter. I was able to wade out into the surf, take off the crutch and secure it to a nearby railing. With the sturdy construction of the crutch, all I had to do afterward was dunk it in the fresh-water rinsing tank to clean the salt-water and beach sand off and let it drip-dry. (Without the crutch, I wouldn't have even attempted snorkeling, due to the prosthetic liner and socket system I use.)
When counseling new amputees, one of the first questions I am asked is "What all have you purchased to be able to cope as an amputee?". My answer is always:
1. A shower chair
2. A bed rail (so that I don't try to 'stand up' while still groggy and end up falling)
3. Hands-free crutch – so that I can still have total mobility, even without my prosthetic leg
I share about the hands-free crutch as much as I am able, and I consider it a privilege to share my story on this website."
—Ron King
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