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An Alternative to Zimmer Frames for Non-Weight Bearing Recovery
- By Lydia Lucas
- April 14, 2025
- For many people recovering from a foot, lower leg injury or surgery, mobility aids are a necessary part of daily life. More often than not, you're released to go home from hospital with a Zimmer frame or a set of crutches - standard-issue equipment that's meant to help. But for some, these aids can be very challenging to use, providing only limited assistance.
We recently heard from a customer who was discharged with a Zimmer frame and a pair of crutches, only to find them almost impossible to use.
When Crutches Aren’t Much Better
What’s the alternative? For some, the hospital also sends them home with crutches—but those have their own set of challenges:
- They’re tiring – Supporting your full weight on your arms and wrists takes serious effort.
They’re They can feel unstable – Especially if your balance isn’t great to begin with.- They tie up your hands – Making tasks like cooking, carrying items, or even making a cup of tea much harder than they need to be.
- To maintain the non-weight bearing directive, you have to hop, if indeed your non-injured leg is up to the challenge.
In this case, our customer found that neither the Zimmer frame or the crutches were a viable long-term solution. That’s when she discovered the StrideOn knee walker.
A Better Way to Recover: Why Knee Walkers Work
Knee walkers are designed specifically for non-weight bearing recovery - supporting your injured leg on a cushioned pad while you move freely, scooting with your good leg.
Unlike crutches or Zimmer frames, a knee walker provides:
- Stability – A sturdy four or five-wheel base that moves with you, not against you.
- Ease of Movement – Glide through your home or outdoors without catching, tipping, or fatigue.
- Comfort – Your injured leg is fully supported in a natural position, while your upper body gets a break.
- Independence – Carry items in the built-in basket, stand securely using the park brake, and go about your day more freely.
“The knee walker gave me back my independence. I could move around safely and comfortably—something I hadn’t felt since I came out of surgery.”
Designed for Real Life
Whether you’re recovering from foot surgery, an ankle fracture, or lower leg injury, StrideOn has a model to suit your needs:
- StrideOn Model Knee Walker – Designed for indoor use, with a tight turning radius perfect for hallways, kitchens, and bedrooms.
- Orthomate Model Knee Scooter – Ideal for outdoor mobility, thanks to pneumatic tyres that can handle pavements and grass.
Both are easy to setup, are adjustable, and built with comfort and practicality in mind.
For optimum weight distribution, comfort and to keep your scooting foot away from the wheels, our knee pads have an offset design. That is your first setup-step. Remember, there are no tools required and, just three simple steps to setup the knee walker just for your needs.
Step 1. Insert the knee pad for either a right or left foot injury.
(Stickers under the pad show which way)
Step 2. Set the knee pad to the correct height for you.
(when stood next to it, the top of the knee pad should be just under the kneecap. You don’t want your scooting foot to be operating at ‘tippy-toes’ but the flat of your foot to make contact with the floor)
Step 3. Set the handlebar height to what is comfortable for you.
Being discharged with the wrong mobility aid can set your recovery back—or worse, cause unnecessary accidents. If you’ve been struggling with a Zimmer frame or crutches, a knee walker could be the safer, easier, and more comfortable alternative.
Thousands of people have already made the switch—and never looked back.
Make your recovery smoother, safer, and more independent.
Explore Our Knee Walkers Here
If you need help choosing the right model? Our friendly team is here to guide you every step of the way.