J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2018 Sep;22(3):100-104. 10.14193/jkfas.2018.22.3.100.

Efficacy of a Knee Walker for Foot and Ankle Patients: Comparative Study with an Axillary Crutch

• Song JH
• Kang C
• Kim SB
• Heo YM
• Won YG
• Jung SJ
• Chung HJ

• KMID: 2428666
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14193/jkfas.2018.22.3.100

Abstract

PURPOSE
An axillary crutch is the most commonly used assistive device in foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing. On the other hand, its use frequently induces axillary or wrist pain and critical neurovascular injuries have been reported in several studies. This study compared the clinical outcomes of patients using the knee walker and axillary crutch.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the utility of a knee walker and axillary crutch as a nonweightbearing ambulatory aid for 62 foot and ankle patients treated between November 2016 and March 2018. A comparative study of the two orthosis could be performed because all the patients temporarily used an axillary crutch before or after the use of a knee walker. A demographic study and comparative analysis based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) satisfaction score (0~100), complications, and fall down history were evaluated. Furthermore, under the assumption of having retreatment, their preference of orthosis between the knee walker and axillary crutch was investigated.
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 36.5 and the mean duration of ambulation with a knee walker and axillary crutch were 5.2 and 2.4 weeks. The VAS satisfaction score of the knee walker and crutch was 88.8 and 27.5, respectively (p < 0.05). The most frequent complications of the knee walker and crutch were ipsilateral knee pain (6 cases) and axillary or wrist pain (56 cases), respectively. No case of falling down occurred during knee walker ambulation, but there were two cases of crutch ambulation. Fifty-eight patients (93.5%) preferred the knee walker and four patients (6.5%) preferred a crutch.
CONCLUSION
Compared to the axillary crutch, the knee walker afforded lower complication and higher satisfaction. Most patients preferred the knee walker to a crutch. Therefore, the knee walker is an efficient and safe orthosis for foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing.

Keyword

Foot and ankle; Knee walker; Axillary crutch; Satisfaction; Complication

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Ankle*
Foot*
Hand
Humans
Knee*
Orthotic Devices
Retreatment
Retrospective Studies
Self-Help Devices
Walkers*
Walking
Wrist

Figure

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  Figure 1. The image of knee walker.

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  Figure 2. The images of male using knee walker are shown. (A) Oblique image. (B) Lateral Image.

Reference

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