When you're recovering from foot surgery, you'll want to rest in the early days after your operation. However, when your rehabilitation starts and you want to start getting up and about a bit more, you'll initially need to depend on one or more walking aids. If you have a long recovery period you may be back at work before you are fully weight-bearing on the affected foot, so you'll want a walking aid that enables you to carry out your regular activities with ease. Here's an overview of three walking aids that are easy to use and can allow you to move around unrestricted:

Knee Scooter

A knee scooter is an alternative to crutches that provides extra stability and can be used indoors or outdoors. The scooter has four wheels and a padded leg rest that allows you to take your weight off the affected leg. The leg rest supports your affected leg from the knee to the ankle and you use your other leg to push the scooter forward, while the handlebars allow you to steer and brake. Knee scooters typically allow you to get around quicker than you could on crutches and they don't put pressure on your arms or shoulders. They are also popular with those who want to remain active as you are able to jog slowly if you don't have any balance issues.

Non-Wheeled Frames

Walking frames are ideal for those with balance issues, as they have four legs and you can lean on the frame while taking a step forward with your fully functioning foot. Some models have a tray attached to them, which makes them ideal for moving items around your home, such as moving food from your kitchen to the dining table or moving clean clothes into your bedroom. Opting for a non-wheeled walking frame provides maximum stability when you're not fully weight bearing, and slimline models are available if space in your home or workplace is tight.

Folding Seat Tripod Walking Stick

Tripod walking sticks provide more stability than standard walking sticks when you take a step, and they can be a good option for those who are beginning to put weight on the foot that's recovering. Some tripod walking sticks have a folding seat attached, which you simply pull out whenever you need a short rest. This can be useful during rehabilitation when you're just starting to take short walks and may experience fatigue.

These walking aids are just a few examples of the mobility products that are available. If you're struggling to retain your independence after foot surgery, your orthopaedic nurse can recommend aids to help while you're recovering.

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