Maximize Your Mobility And Guarantee Your Stability - Safely Operating Your Knee Scooter
After a serious injury to, or a major surgery on, your leg, it's important that you take steps to make sure you can continue to get around your home and office. Investing in a knee scooter is a great way to promote that mobility, but many people are unfamiliar with their operation. There are some precautions you can take that will guarantee you can get around while staying safe.
Below, you'll find a guide to some of the safety tips. Following these suggestions will guarantee that you get the most out of your knee scooter, promote proper healing, and maintain the necessary comfort to allow you to enjoy every day to the greatest of your abilities.
Center Your Balance
One common mistake that many knee scooters use is continuing to carry their leg in a standard, off center position. Unfortunately, this natural posture can put you at risk of slips and stumbles, as the imbalance created by having a wheeled addition to one leg will throw off your stride.
Instead, you should angle your affected leg toward the center of your body and attempt to locate your center of gravity directly above the scooter. This will maximize stability and allow you to use your healthy leg as a support mechanism while putting your weight on the scooter itself.
Use the Brake
Your knee scooter comes with a braking mechanism that's designed to limit the speed of the wheels and keep it under control. Many people, however, rely on their natural body control, and when they're suddenly confronted with sloping terrain, the scooter can quickly pick up momentum and create a challenge.
Be sure that you always rest your hand on the brake and you aren't shy about operating it. On any uneven surface, you should be sure to keep the brake engaged, as that's the only way to make sure your scooter remains fully under your control.
Tighten the Hardware
The natural wear and tear of rolling your scooter over the ground can cause some issues that you need to be proactive about addressing. The vibrations that come from scooter usage can loosen some of the nuts and bolts that stabilize your scooter's wheels, which can risk creating a wobbly feeling that makes you feel insecure. Be sure to check those connection points on a regular basis, and if you notice any loose fasteners, be sure to tighten them in order to make sure you can avoid an accident.
For more tips, talk to you local mobility equipment supplier like Knee Rover.
