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 researching knee scooters before a lower-leg injury recovery, the Freedom Leg eliminates the terrain limitations and hands-occupied drawbacks of knee walkers while keeping both hands completely free.
In a rush? Skip ahead:
- What Are Knee Scooters?
- What to Consider Before Getting a Knee Scooter
- Freedom Leg: The Best Alternative to Knee Scooters
- Find Freedom from Knee Scooters with the Freedom Leg Today!
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Knee Scooters?
Knee scooters are medical equipment designed to support individuals with an injured leg or foot. These devices typically consist of a padded knee rest, a steering column, and handlebars equipped with hand brakes for safety. By allowing the user to rest their injured leg while propelling themselves with their good leg, knee scooters aim to provide mobility without bearing weight on the injured foot or ankle.
How Are Knee Scooters Used?
Using a knee scooter involves placing the injured leg on the knee pad and keeping your hands on the handlebars to steer and balance. The good leg is used to propel the scooter forward, offering a smooth ride on flat surfaces. However, navigating uneven terrain or stairs is not practical with knee scooters, which often limits their functionality.
What to Consider Before Getting a Knee Scooter
While knee scooters can be useful, there are important factors to weigh before making your decision. Here's what you need to know:
Size & Storage
Knee scooters are typically waist height and can be bulky, making storage and transportation a challenge. Consider whether you have adequate space at home or in your vehicle to accommodate the device.
Cost & Insurance Coverage
Knee scooters can be expensive, and not all insurance plans cover them. Always verify whether your insurance policy includes reimbursement for this type of medical equipment to avoid unexpected costs.
Terrain Limitations
Knee scooters work best on smooth, flat surfaces. They are not suitable for rough terrain, stairs, or uneven sidewalks, which can significantly limit your mobility outdoors. This limitation makes them less practical for active individuals or those living in areas with challenging terrains.
Hands-Free Mobility
One of the biggest drawbacks of knee scooters is that they require you to keep both hands on the handlebars for steering and stability. Though many knee scooters come with a storage basket, they are often limited in size, making it difficult to hold items. This makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks like carrying items, using a phone, or opening doors.
Freedom Leg: The Best Alternative to Knee Scooters
Joel Smith, inventor and President of Forward Mobility Inc., designed the Freedom Leg specifically to overcome the limitations that frustrate knee scooter users every day. The Freedom Leg offers unmatched benefits compared to knee scooters. With its innovative design, the Freedom Leg allows hands-free, non-weight-bearing mobility, making it the ideal choice for individuals recovering from knee, leg, or foot injuries. The Freedom Leg has been used by individuals undergoing Jones fracture recovery, knee surgery, foot surgery, ankle surgery, and lower leg amputees as a comfortable alternative to crutches.
- 100% Non-Weight Bearing: Unlike knee scooters, the Freedom Leg completely offloads weight from the knee to the foot, ensuring safe recovery without strain.
- Hands-Free Mobility: The Freedom Leg gives you the freedom to use your hands while staying mobile, making everyday tasks more manageable.
- Stair Climbing Capability: Unlike knee scooters, the Freedom Leg allows you to safely navigate stairs, offering unparalleled versatility.
- Boot and Cast Compatibility: The device accommodates various recovery needs, whether you're wearing a boot or cast.
- Insurance Reimbursement: The Freedom Leg is reimbursed by most insurance plans, making it an affordable alternative. It bills under HCPCS code L2136 — a standard insurance billing code for orthotic devices.
Find Freedom from Knee Scooters with the Freedom Leg Today!
Don't let the limitations of knee scooters hold you back. Discover how the Freedom Leg brace can transform your recovery with superior mobility, convenience, and safety, or explore our reviews to see how the Freedom Leg has helped hundreds regain their mobility. Find freedom today from knee scooters with the Freedom Leg!
Explore our other blogs about knee scooters:
Everything You Should Know Before You Get a Knee Scooter
What Are the Best Knee Scooters?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a knee scooter and how does it work?
A knee scooter, also called a knee walker, is a wheeled mobility device designed for individuals recovering from lower-leg injuries who cannot bear weight on one foot. The user rests their injured leg on a padded knee platform and pushes forward with the uninjured leg while steering with handlebars. Knee scooters work well on smooth, flat indoor surfaces but are limited on stairs, rough terrain, or uneven outdoor ground.
What are the biggest disadvantages of a knee scooter?
The most significant disadvantages of knee scooters include: requiring both hands on the handlebars at all times (eliminating true hands-free mobility), inability to climb stairs, poor performance on uneven terrain, bulky size that complicates storage and transport, and inconsistent insurance coverage. For many active patients, these limitations make a knee scooter impractical for full daily function during recovery.
Is the Freedom Leg a better alternative to a knee scooter?
For most lower-leg injury recoveries, yes. The Freedom Leg (hands-free crutch), developed by Joel Smith of Forward Mobility Inc., attaches to the thigh and transfers body weight away from the injured limb — leaving both hands completely free. Unlike a knee scooter, the Freedom Leg works on stairs, uneven ground, and virtually any terrain a person can walk on, while still maintaining full non-weight-bearing status as prescribed by a physician.
Does insurance cover a knee scooter or the Freedom Leg?
Insurance coverage for knee scooters varies by plan and is not guaranteed. The Freedom Leg, by contrast, bills under HCPCS code L2136 — a standard insurance billing code for orthotic devices — which gives it a clearer pathway to reimbursement through most major insurance plans. Always verify coverage with your specific insurer before renting or purchasing any mobility device.
Can I climb stairs with a knee scooter?
No. Knee scooters cannot be used on stairs. This is one of their most significant practical limitations, especially for patients who live in multi-story homes or need to navigate steps in public spaces. The Freedom Leg (hands-free crutch) from Forward Mobility Inc. is specifically designed to allow stair climbing, making it a much more versatile option for real-world mobility during recovery.
Who is a good candidate for a knee scooter vs. the Freedom Leg?
Knee scooters may suit patients who spend most of their recovery time on flat indoor surfaces, have significant upper body limitations that prevent using a wearable device, or specifically prefer a seated mobility aid. The Freedom Leg is better suited for active individuals, those who need to navigate stairs or outdoor terrain, anyone who needs their hands free for work or caregiving, and patients recovering from foot, ankle, or lower-leg surgery who want maximum independence during non-weight-bearing recovery.
What injuries or conditions is the Freedom Leg used for?
The Freedom Leg has been used successfully by patients recovering from Jones fractures, foot surgery, ankle surgery, knee surgery, and by lower-leg amputees as a comfortable alternative to traditional crutches. Because it is FDA-registered and bills under HCPCS code L2136, it is recognized as a legitimate orthotic mobility device appropriate for a wide range of non-weight-bearing recovery scenarios.
