Redesigning the crutch
How iWALK made crutches obsolete
Recovering from a lower leg injury can be incredibly frustrating, particularly if it means life without putting weight on your foot. All of a sudden you’re reliant on family and friends to help with the simplest tasks. Looking after yourself is difficult. Looking after anything else is practically impossible.
“Enter the iWALK, the revolutionary hands-free knee crutch that can be used immediately after injury or surgery to bring mobility and independence back to your life.”
The iWALK3.0 is the only real solution for non-weight bearing lower leg injuries; it’s easy to use, economical, pain-free and provides unsurpassed mobility. You use the same upper leg muscles you normally would and its unique design allows you to carry out everyday tasks with confidence – and less risk of further injury.
Whats wrong with crutches?
Better than nothing,for sure,
but try to make an argument for them
1.
You're leg is extremely exposed. There’s potential for re-injury through knocking it, tripping, or instinctively putting it out in front of you when you lose your balance.
2.
Crutches hurt your hands or underarms, creating bruises or sore spots. Wrists can ache and you can even end up with a serious condition like carpal tunnel.
3.
Walking with crutches is hard work!
4.
Crutches take up both your hands, so you don't get to use them for anything else.
5.
Using crutches with a non-weight bearing injury means you constantly need to raise your injured leg behind you.
6.
Using crutches can be bad for your back and shoulders, potentially creating long-standing issues.
7.
Navigating stairs on crutches is dangerous.
Better by design
The iWALK 3.0 hands free crutch is functional, strong, easy to use and easy to adjust. Because no two legs are the same, it has plenty of features that allow you to tailor it to your size, height, and leg shape.
See for yourself in 3D
1.
Press the PLAY button
2.
Left mouse button and drag to view from any angle
3.
Right mouse button and drag to pan
4.
Scroll to magnify or reduce
5.
Click the numbered features to read more
How the iWALK came to be
This modern hands-free crutch had a rather old school beginning. In the late 90s, Canadian farmer and adept carpenter, Lance Matthews, was repairing his roof when he fell and broke his ankle. For Lance, crutches were simply not good enough; “Crutches are tremendously impractical, uncomfortable, and ridiculous”. After researching the market, he was amazed that there wasn’t an alternative to conventional crutches.
There’s no time off in farming, so he improvised, propping his knee on a stool so he could still work. He quickly realised it would be great if the stool could move with him, so he took to his workshop and the first iWALK prototype was constructed from wood in less than an hour.
Now Lance didn’t set out to start an orthopaedic device company, but it was noticed by the doctors and specialists at one of the leading orthopaedic research facilities in North America. They were so excited by the potential of the iWALK crutch substitute that clinical trials started immediately.
And that’s how mobility history was made!
