Mobility Tools After an Ankle Fracture
Getting around after an ankle fracture or surgery can be one of the toughest parts of recovery. Since weight-bearing is often restricted, you’ll likely need help with mobility. Thankfully, there are several devices designed to make movement safer and more comfortable — from traditional crutches to innovative hands-free options.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or physical therapist before choosing or using a mobility aid after surgery.
Standard Crutches
How they help:
Crutches shift weight away from the injured ankle, allowing you to move without pressure on the healing bone.
Benefits:
Inexpensive and widely available.
Allow mobility on stairs.
Lightweight and portable.
Cautions:
Can cause underarm or hand soreness.
Require good upper-body strength and balance.
Fatiguing for long-term use.
Personal take: Who doesn’t hate crutches? And you can’t carry anything... at the very least, you’ll need a backpack.
Knee Scooters (Knee Walkers)
How they help:
Support the injured leg at the knee, allowing you to roll forward with your good leg.
Benefits:
Comfortable for longer distances.
Stable with good balance support.
Often includes a basket for carrying items.
Much faster than crutches or a walker.
Cautions:
Not usable on stairs or rough ground.
Require clear, open space.
Personal take: The knee scooter is a life saver. An all-terrain version, with bigger wheels with treads, allows you to move over uneven ground and is less likely to tip over. You may want to add extra padding to the seat. If you’re using it with an aircast, consider removing the cast’s plastic insert that covers the front of the shin, as it tends to bruise the leg.
iWALK Hands-Free Crutch
How it helps:
A strap-on device that supports the knee, allowing hands-free walking while keeping weight off the ankle.
Benefits:
Hands remain free for daily activities.
Promotes a natural walking motion.
Good option if crutches or scooters aren’t practical.
Cautions:
Steeper learning curve than other devices.
Not suitable for everyone — requires good balance and strength.
Avoid use on slippery or uneven terrain.
Personal take: I was super excited about getting an iWALK, and some of my friends love theirs, but it was uncomfortable on my knee, even after adding extra padding. I also was afraid of falling with it, as the grip on the bottom can easily catch and trip you.
Freedom Leg Brace
How it helps:
The Freedom Leg is a strap-on crutch alternative that redistributes weight to the upper leg, keeping the foot completely off the ground while allowing hands-free mobility.
Benefits:
Hands-free design for carrying items and daily activities.
Provides more stability than some strap-on crutch devices.
Lightweight and relatively portable.
Cautions:
Requires proper fitting and adjustment to be effective.
May take time to get used to walking naturally.
Not always suitable for long-term wear or uneven surfaces.
Walkers
Standard Walkers (No Wheels)
How they help:
A solid frame without wheels that you lift and move step by step.
Benefits:
Maximum stability.
Helpful for people with significant balance challenges.
Simple to use.
Cautions:
Slower than other aids.
Not ideal for longer distances.
Can feel bulky indoors.
Front-Wheel Walkers (Two Wheels)
How they help:
A walker with two front wheels that allow smoother forward movement while still requiring the back legs to lift slightly.
Benefits:
Easier to move than a standard walker.
Provides both support and mobility.
Cautions:
Less stable than walkers without wheels.
Still slower than scooters or crutches.
Rollators (Four Wheels + Seat)
How they help:
A walker with four wheels, hand brakes, and often a built-in seat.
Benefits:
Very mobile and easy to push.
Built-in seat provides resting option.
Storage basket makes it practical for daily use.
Cautions:
Less stable for non-weight-bearing recovery.
Can roll too easily if brakes aren’t used properly.
Larger and heavier than basic walkers.
Personal take: I got a rollator, which I could pack in the car when we had to travel. I also would sometimes rest my knee on it and use it as a sort of scooter (which is probably not recommended.)
Wheelchairs
How they help:
Provide complete mobility support for those unable to safely use crutches, scooters, or walkers.
Benefits:
Safe, stable, and comfortable for longer use.
Reduces fatigue when mobility aids are too strenuous.
Cautions:
Limits independence in small spaces or places with stairs.
Requires arm strength or assistance.
May reduce muscle use if relied on too heavily.
Final Thoughts
The right mobility tool depends on your surgery type, recovery stage, and lifestyle needs. Some people switch between devices — for example, using a scooter at home, crutches for stairs, and a walker for stability. Work with your doctor or physical therapist to decide which device (or combination) best supports your healing journey.
Share Your Story
Mobility after ankle surgery can be a challenge, but the right tool can make a huge difference. Did you use crutches, a knee scooter, or a hands-free device like the iWALK or Freedom Leg?
Share your experience in the comments below. Your story might help someone else choose the right mobility aid for their recovery.