The hands-free crutch. A device that promises new freedom of mobility and self-sufficiency for those with non weight-bearing lower leg injuries.

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iWALKFree
MSRP --
Release date --
Brand iWALKFree
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want it
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Pros & Cons15
Reviews6
Details
Buy It1
Competitors4
Comments6
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
5 reviews
73
negative
mixed
positive
2 positive
1 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
You can use your hands.
+3agreedisagree

•
Easy to walk in.
+2agreedisagree

•
Most cons are easily remedied.
+2agreedisagree

•
Light weight
+2agreedisagree

•
Can use inside, outside, even in shower
+1agreedisagree

•
Can be rented
+1agreedisagree

•
Durable - will last longer than needed for injuries or surgeries
+1agreedisagree

•
Can be used by amputees while recovering or whne not using prosthesis
+1agreedisagree

•
Some suppliers cut beam to length for patient height
+1agreedisagree

•
None...may work out if you plan on walking for a couple of hours...not worth the hassle of putting for anything less.
0agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
May cause your cast to rub your shin raw.
+2agreedisagree

•
Cumbersome to take on and off.
+2agreedisagree

•
May have to cut the beam with a metal saw and file down the edges with a metal file to adjust if you are short.
+1agreedisagree

•
Need to be overall in good athletic shape with good balance
+1agreedisagree

•
Promotional video is very misleading. The woman they show walking her dog and going about her business must be very athletic. I'm not in horrible shape, but needed crutches just to try to use it!
0agreedisagree


5 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
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Details

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This report was started September 21, 2006 at 12:09 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring Saturday, 3:50 PM by canoeu87
This page has been viewed 4311 times, with 69 edits by 8 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

iWALKFree

• iWALKFREE Rehab Rehabilitation Knee Walker Crutch Aid

• iWALKFREE Rehab Rehabilitation Knee Walker Crutch Aid

Competitors

iWALKFree is ranked 1st among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Fitness »
Turning Leg Caddy Knee Scooter

Turning Leg Caddy Knee Scooter

MSRP  $599.00    Released  January, 2008
Pros
  • Can be rented online
  • Can be folded so it fits on airplane, car, cab, etc.
  • Large 8" wheels wor better than smaller ones on carpet or uneven surfaces
Cons
  • Not suitable for persons who can't kneel
  • expensive
  • small wheels, strange design - inefficient and not good on rougher terrain, probably hard on the body
ProSCORE
5 reviews
68
Vote! (0 votes)
vote iWALKFree   vs. vote Turning Leg Caddy Knee Scooter  
Roller Foot

Roller Foot

MSRP  --    Released  January, 2009
Cons
  • Incredibly expensive at $75 a week - $300 a month - not able to be purchased
  • Only available from manufacturer
  • Small wheels stop quickly on cracks, uneven surface, and do not work on thick carpet
ProSCORE
1 review
0
Vote! (1 vote)
vote iWALKFree 100% vs. vote Roller Foot 0%
Roll-A-Bout Walker

Roll-A-Bout Walker

MSRP  --    Released  --
Pros
  • some models turn
  • Lightweight and colapseable for non-turining models
Cons
  • Very expensive
  • Renting thru manf requires >$500 deposit
  • Some models dont turn, must hop and skip to turn
ProSCORE
1 review
33
Vote! (0 votes)
vote iWALKFree   vs. vote Roll-A-Bout Walker  
oneCrutch

oneCrutch

MSRP  $60.00    Released  January, 2001
Pros
  • Gives you a hand free when you must be non-weightbearing for a time.
  • Good to use even with two crutches to keep that leg UP!
  • Able to purchase at http://www.onecrutch.com Shipping was VERY fast.
Cons
  • The OneCrutch is rather heavy
  • If you are middle aged and not necessarily in shape, it does take a bit of getting used to!
  • Limited regional availability to try in person
ProSCORE
3 reviews
59
Vote! (1 vote)
vote iWALKFree 100% vs. vote oneCrutch 0%

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Comments

1.  avatar Erik said:

My grandfather actually came up with a design like this more than 10 years ago. He had hurt his leg and he built something almost exactly like this out of wood. It's like a pirate's peg leg.
Sep 21, 2006 12:17pm
2.  avatar Amanie said:

Having been on crutches for the last 3 months, I can definitely see the use of this. Having your hands unoccupied is pure feedom. Although, the fact that the sensitive area (the foot) is sticking out is not ideal, so I don't know if I'd recommend it for crowded areas where people can be less than accomodating.
Sep 21, 2006 12:36pm
3.  avatar victorcorey said:

I just purchased the IWalkFree on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130195852186&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123) and overall I am very happy with it.

CONS
On thing left out of the instructions on the IWalkFree website is what to do if you need to adjust the beam. In the videos it quickly bypasses this by saying "If you need to adjust the beam contact your practitioner". I bought this online and my doctor had not heard of it, so this wasn't an option. I contacted the company via their website and recieved a very speedy response. What you need to do to adjust the beam (I'm 5'4" for reference) is to simply cut the beam with a metal saw and then file the ruff edges with a metal file. Since most people have these readily available, this is not a problem (sarcasm is intentional) I ended up not adjusting the beam height and it seems alright. Sometimes the beam hits my stomach if I bend over, but this is not an issue so far.

The second issue is my cast. My cast comes up to a couple of inches below my knee. The first day I used the IWalkFree I ended up with a blister that was ripped open just inside the top of my cast. Pretty painful. This was easily remedied by folding up a small towel and putting they underneath my knee just above my cast. This allows room for my cast to drop below the towel and no pressure is felt at all. This is actually mentioned in one of the website videos.

Thirdly, the IWalkFree is not as convenient to take on and off as getting around in crutches. It's a little cumbersome.

PROS
Simple enough...I get my hands back.

Final thoughts. With all the CONS I have, do I regret getting the IWalkFree? Absolutely not. I was able to walk around on the IWalkFree right when I took it out of the box. I can get up at work and get myself a cup of coffee. Best of all, I am able to put my daughter to bed at night (that alone is worth it).

Just keep in mind you may have to cut the beam and file down the edges or just live with it poking you in the belly sometimes and make sure it you feel your cast rubbing put something under your knee.
Feb 07, 2008 2:17pm
4.  avatar stazi64 said:

This is a good concept...although it's put into poor practice by the Iwalkfree Crutch. With some actual engineering it be a great product, but in its current configuration...IT'S TOTALLY USELESS!!! ESPECIALLY FOR THE ASTOUNDING PRICE THEY CHARGE!!! Just for one example...If they made the beam round and the platform attached then adjustments could be made using a sliding peg like on normal crutches. Also, when in the sittine position, you could slide the peg all the way in...and just slide it back out when you are ready to get up again. Now you must take it off to sit...then put it back on to get up. Useless!!!
Mar 04, 2009 5:26pm
5.  avatar kjmurray said:

I finally had a chance to try it, along with another product, One Crutch....I agree that you have to be in better athletic shape than most of us....balance was an issue....I found it rather tiring, hard on the knee; not enough padding.
Jul 23, 2009 7:38pm
6.  avatar stazi64 said:

$400 for 30 bucks of materials. Beam needs to be round so you can adjust the strap mechanism to fit leg.. Straps are hard rubber and strap foam won't adjust. They should have been nylon w/velcro. Strap mechanism doesn't fit leg. Need 2 people to put on and take off. Its all show but not fuctional. Platform and beam should be one piece. Adjustments should be made with a sliding peg like normal crutches. Do Not Pay $400 buck for this...You can by mine for half.
Sep 09, 2009 4:46pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

canoeu87

avatar
September 9, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
90
negative
mixed
positive
9 pros
1 con
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • You can use your hands.
  • Easy to walk in.
  • Most cons are easily remedied.
  • Light weight
  • Can use inside, outside, even in shower
  • Can be rented
  • Durable - will last longer than needed for injuries or surgeries
  • Can be used by amputees while recovering or whne not using prosthesis
  • Some suppliers cut beam to length for patient height

Cons

  • Need to be overall in good athletic shape with good balance

Competitors

canoeu87 prefers iWALKFree over oneCrutch, Roller Foot
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

victorcorey

avatar
February 7, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
3 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • You can use your hands.
  • Easy to walk in.
  • Most cons are easily remedied.

Cons

  • May cause your cast to rub your shin raw.
  • Cumbersome to take on and off.
  • May have to cut the beam with a metal saw and file down the edges with a metal file to adjust if you are short.

Comments

"I just purchased the IWalkFree on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130195852186&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123) and overall I am very happy with it.

CONS
On thing left out of the instructions on the IWalkFree website is what to do if you need to adjust the beam. In the videos it quickly bypasses this by saying "If you need to adjust the beam contact your practitioner". I bought this online and my doctor had not heard of it, so this wasn't an option. I contacted the company via their website and recieved a very speedy response. What you need to do to adjust the beam (I'm 5'4" for reference) is to simply cut the beam with a metal saw and then file the ruff edges with a metal file. Since most people have these readily available, this is not a problem (sarcasm is intentional) I ended up not adjusting the beam height and it seems alright. Sometimes the beam hits my stomach if I bend over, but this is not an issue so far.

The second issue is my cast. My cast comes up to a couple of inches below my knee. The first day I used the IWalkFree I ended up with a blister that was ripped open just inside the top of my cast. Pretty painful. This was easily remedied by folding up a small towel and putting they underneath my knee just above my cast. This allows room for my cast to drop below the towel and no pressure is felt at all. This is actually mentioned in one of the website videos.

Thirdly, the IWalkFree is not as convenient to take on and off as getting around in crutches. It's a little cumbersome.

PROS
Simple enough...I get my hands back.

Final thoughts. With all the CONS I have, do I regret getting the IWalkFree? Absolutely not. I was able to walk around on the IWalkFree right when I took it out of the box. I can get up at work and get myself a cup of coffee. Best of all, I am able to put my daughter to bed at night (that alone is worth it).

Just keep in mind you may have to cut the beam and file down the edges or just live with it poking you in the belly sometimes and make sure it you feel your cast rubbing put something under your knee."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Vic Vogt

avatar
July 31, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
4 pros
0 cons

Pros

  • You can use your hands.
  • Easy to walk in.
  • Most cons are easily remedied.
  • Light weight

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Michele McTernan

avatar
July 23, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Promotional video is very misleading. The woman they show walking her dog and going about her business must be very athletic. I'm not in horrible shape, but needed crutches just to try to use it!

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

kjmurray

avatar
July 23, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Comments

"I finally had a chance to try it, along with another product, One Crutch....I agree that you have to be in better athletic shape than most of us....balance was an issue....I found it rather tiring, hard on the knee; not enough padding."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

stazi64

avatar
March 4, 2009
ProSCORE
25
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
3 cons
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • None...may work out if you plan on walking for a couple of hours...not worth the hassle of putting for anything less.

Cons

  • May cause your cast to rub your shin raw.
  • Cumbersome to take on and off.
  • May have to cut the beam with a metal saw and file down the edges with a metal file to adjust if you are short.

Comments

"This is a good concept...although it's put into poor practice by the Iwalkfree Crutch. With some actual engineering it be a great product, but in its current configuration...IT'S TOTALLY USELESS!!! ESPECIALLY FOR THE ASTOUNDING PRICE THEY CHARGE!!! Just for one example...If they made the beam round and the platform attached then adjustments could be made using a sliding peg like on normal crutches. Also, when in the sittine position, you could slide the peg all the way in...and just slide it back out when you are ready to get up again. Now you must take it off to sit...then put it back on to get up. Useless!!!"
"$400 for 30 bucks of materials. Beam needs to be round so you can adjust the strap mechanism to fit leg.. Straps are hard rubber and strap foam won't adjust. They should have been nylon w/velcro. Strap mechanism doesn't fit leg. Need 2 people to put on and take off. Its all show but not fuctional. Platform and beam should be one piece. Adjustments should be made with a sliding peg like normal crutches. Do Not Pay $400 buck for this...You can by mine for half."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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