Knee scooters are supposed to prevent pain and discomfort, but sometimes they do the opposite. If you feel achy or fatigued after using your scooter, here are 3 potential problem spots that could be the cause.
The Height is Wrong
A good knee scooter is height-adjustable because everyone's body is different. If the height of your knee platform isn't adjusted to your body, you won't be putting the right amount of weight on your 'good' leg. This can lead to all sorts of uncomfortable side effects, from leg and back pain to fatigue from needing to use more force to propel the scooter. Likewise, a handlebar that's too low forces you to bend your back and hold your hips wrong, while a high handlebar will wear you out by leaving you unable to support yourself properly with your arms.
To figure out the right height for your knee platform, rest your injured knee on it and stand as you normally would. Your good leg should be slightly bent. If it's too bent, the leg is taking too much pressure which means the platform needs to be raised. If it's completely straight or even tip-toeing, you need to lower your platform. Figuring out the right height for your handlebar is even easier--just raise or lower it to waist-level. This ensures your hips are evenly placed when walking and keeps your injured leg at a comfortable angle.
Your Leg Placement Is Wrong
Many people believe the best place to put your injured knee is in the centre of your scooter's knee pad. However, this creates a greater distance between your two legs, putting unneeded pressure on your good leg. Instead, the best leg placement is with your injured leg close to the edge of the pad that's nearest to your uninjured leg. In order to put your leg in this position comfortably, you may need to adjust the width of your knee platform or change the offset of your scooter to the left or right depending on which of your legs is injured.
You Need a New Knee Scooter
No knee scooter lasts forever. If you find that your height adjustments don't stay in place or that no stance makes the scooter more comfortable, it could be time for an upgrade. Other signs that your knee scooter needs replacing include worn out wheels, handlebars, or knee pads, damaged or missing parts, and excessive creaking or grinding sounds. Even if your scooter isn't damaged or worn out, upgrading to a newer model with better features like knee platform width adjustment, a basket to take pressure off the rest of your body, and more ergonomic design can alleviate pain and discomfort.
Share