Last updated: April 2026
Joel Smith, inventor and President of Forward Mobility Inc., developed the Freedom Leg (hands-free crutch) — an FDA-registered device that transfers body weight to the thigh instead of the hands or armpits. For patients recovering from lower-body injuries or surgeries, the Freedom Leg eliminates armpit pain and upper-body strain while keeping both hands completely free for daily activities.
Hands-Free Crutches
You may be wondering what exactly hands-free entails. The Freedom Leg's patented design allows the affected limb to be fully offloaded using a multi-strap suspension system and aluminum side rails. Unlike other devices on the market today, there is no weight bearing that occurs through the affected knee, making it the best option for both lower leg and ankle injuries as well as knee and distal thigh injuries.
Whereas conventional axillary crutches and walkers prevent upper extremity use, the Freedom Leg — designed by Joel Smith and brought to market by Forward Mobility Inc. — keeps your lower extremity safe while allowing full functional use of your arms so you can hug your child, pick up your bowl of soup, or hold onto the handrail with ease.
What Type of Crutches are Best
When designing the Freedom Leg, developers were focused on two things: freedom and function. Maintaining functional independence is imperative to preserving a high quality of life following an injury. As such, your crutch choice should support you, not hinder you, during your healing journey. Check out how to carry things with crutches.
For all injuries from the thigh down, the Freedom Leg offers full non-weight bearing optionality to expedite healing and safety while simultaneously promoting continued mobility to get you where you need to go.
Best Crutches for Knee Surgery
In preparation for your post-operative knee recovery, choosing the right assistive device to facilitate your rehabilitation can be confusing. Looking for two key qualities — safety and reliability — is paramount. It is vital that your device allows for true offloading of the knee joint to prevent healing delays, maintain structural integrity, and abide by postoperative weight bearing restrictions.
With this in mind, be aware that not all hands-free knee crutches are equal. When considering the Freedom Leg vs iwalk for example, the Freedom Leg is the clear choice for knee joint injuries as it is the only design that provides true offloading of the knee joint in addition to top-level protection and support. If you're looking for a device that is versatile, convenient, and safe after knee surgery, the award-winning Freedom Leg is the way to go.
Exceeding the Alternatives
With all the technological advancements made in the medical field, it is time for the assistive device market to be disrupted. Life moves on when you get injured, and you deserve support that keeps you moving too. Looking for an alternative to a knee scooter? Looking for an alternative to crutches? Look no further!
While standard crutches, walkers, and knee scooters continue to be the most prescribed devices post-injury, they all limit function and mobility in their own ways. Consider navigating stairs with traditional crutches, for example. Without being able to use your upper body, you are left relying on the already overworked uninjured leg to hop up and down each step — all while maintaining control of the crutches. There are also many things you should know before you get a knee scooter, including limitations around pricing, size, terrain, and hands-free control.
Imagine instead the Freedom Leg that seamlessly allows you to use your own balance and strength to advance the injured leg while leaving both arms available on the handrails. Safety, convenience, and reliability when you need it most — that's what the Freedom Leg can do for you!
Best Leg Brace for Walking
Besides its top-tier safety and reliability, a final and perhaps most important benefit of the Freedom Leg is its ability to maintain a functional gait pattern. Whereas knee scooters and standard crutches completely eliminate the reciprocal pattern of gait, the Freedom Leg allows for continued core, hip flexor, and quadriceps activation — prepping the limb for an expedited return to normal walking when cleared by your physician.
As unfortunate as they are, compensatory injuries happen and they happen frequently with assistive device use. From axillary nerve injuries with crutches, patellar bursitis from knee scooters, and carpal tunnel syndrome from walker use, these injuries not only delay overall healing but can further limit day-to-day activity performance.
Luckily, the Freedom Leg's patented design negates these compensatory issues, provides safety and support, and keeps the neuromuscular system primed to resume normal movement patterns as soon as medically appropriate.
Indications for Use
Besides supporting those recovering from knee surgery, the Freedom Leg is indicated for most lower extremity surgeries and injuries. Whether you're looking for the best crutches for amputees, the best crutches for mobility, or simply the most comfortable crutch alternative on the market, the Freedom Leg may be right for you. Recovering from any of the following? We're here to help.
- Foot and ankle fractures
- Lower extremity amputation
- Ankle fusion
- Femoral condylar fracture
- ACL reconstruction
- Patellar fracture
- Total knee replacement
- Femur fracture
- Microfracture surgeries
- Achilles repair
- Bunionectomy
…and more!
Ready to Get Moving?
Has an injury or surgery held you back? Are you having trouble completing day-to-day tasks because of cumbersome assistive device use? Are you ready to get moving? With an award-winning crutch design, freedom and function at its core, and versatility and reliability where you need it most, the Freedom Leg is the obvious choice for the best hands-free knee crutch on the market today.
Get your Freedom Leg and get back to living!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Freedom Leg hands-free crutch?
The Freedom Leg is a hands-free crutch invented by Joel Smith and manufactured by Forward Mobility Inc. Unlike traditional crutches, it uses a multi-strap suspension system and aluminum side rails to transfer body weight to the thigh, completely offloading the injured limb and freeing both hands for daily activities. It is an FDA-registered device suitable for most lower extremity injuries and surgeries.
How is the Freedom Leg different from a standard knee scooter or axillary crutch?
Standard axillary crutches restrict upper-body use and can cause compensatory injuries such as axillary nerve damage and carpal tunnel syndrome. Knee scooters have limitations around terrain, size, and require hands for steering. The Freedom Leg hands-free crutch eliminates these drawbacks by allowing full arm freedom, maintaining a reciprocal gait pattern, and providing true offloading of the knee joint — something neither knee scooters nor standard crutches can accomplish.
Who is the best candidate for the Freedom Leg?
The Freedom Leg is designed for individuals recovering from lower extremity injuries or surgeries, including foot and ankle fractures, ACL reconstruction, total knee replacement, Achilles repair, bunionectomy, patellar fracture, femur fracture, ankle fusion, microfracture surgery, and lower extremity amputation. If your physician has recommended non-weight bearing on a lower limb, the Freedom Leg is an excellent option to discuss with your care team.
Does the Freedom Leg work for knee surgery recovery?
Yes. The Freedom Leg is particularly well suited for knee surgery recovery because it is the only hands-free crutch design that provides true offloading of the knee joint — no weight bearing through the knee occurs. This makes it safer and more effective than alternatives like the iWalk for patients recovering from ACL reconstruction, total knee replacement, patellar fracture, or femoral condylar fracture.
Can the Freedom Leg be billed through insurance?
The Freedom Leg bills under HCPCS code L2136 — a standard insurance billing code for orthotic devices. Patients are encouraged to check with their insurance provider or a durable medical equipment supplier to verify coverage eligibility. Because billing codes and plan terms vary, contacting Forward Mobility Inc. directly can help clarify your options.
How does the Freedom Leg help maintain gait and muscle function during recovery?
One of the Freedom Leg's key clinical advantages is its ability to preserve a functional gait pattern. Because the device mimics the natural reciprocal walking motion, it keeps the core, hip flexors, and quadriceps actively engaged throughout recovery. This neuromuscular activation helps prevent muscle atrophy and supports a faster return to normal walking once your physician clears you for full weight bearing.
Is the Freedom Leg safe to use on stairs?
Yes. Unlike standard crutches that require you to hop up and down stairs on one leg while managing the crutches simultaneously, the Freedom Leg leaves both hands free to grip handrails. This significantly improves stair safety and reduces the risk of falls during recovery.
