iWalk 2.0 Review - The Downsides

Heading into my foot surgery, I tried to do a lot of research to be as prepared as possible. I actually did not find a lot specific to my procedure, but I did stumble across this gem. The iWalk 2.0 Hands Free Crutch has been the absolute best part of my recovery, although there have been some ups and downs (but luckily no falling downs). I want to be very clear. I highly, highly recommend that if you're going to be in a foot cast, you look into renting or purchasing the iWalk 2.0. It has made a tremendous difference in my recover, but I wanted to touch on some of the frustrations or unexpected hurdles before I start singing its praises.

Weight Restrictions
Be aware before you order the iWalk that it is limited to individuals under 275 pounds, and your upper thigh need to be smaller than 27". I was unable to find height limitations, but in my tennis shoes I am the most comfortable at the tallest setting. I am 5'7", but the majority of my height is in my legs so someone taller than my can in theory utilize this without an issue. Just something to make sure you check before you order!


Not Available for Rental
Unlike my rolling knee scooter, the iWalk 2.0 is not available for rental. It actually all worked out for me, as I had a gift card from my insurance company for going to some seminars and my regular annual checkups (if you have CDPHP, make sure you use your LifePoints!) so I was able to purchase this on Amazon, but just be aware that you'll need to purchase it. When I bought it in November, 2014, the cost was $149 on Amazon.

Requires Good Balance
I am very lucky, after a few years of yoga my sense of balance is pretty good, but if you're someone who has poor balance this is not the choice for you. I made a point to order it before the surgery, and am glad I had the chance to get used to using it before the potential damage from a fall increased. I am proud to say I haven't fallen once on it!

Ice and Snow
This may just be my own paranoia, and if you're living somewhere without winter weather this obviously won't be an issue for you, but I have a lot of anxiety revolving around using this when there is ice and snow on the ground. I was very lucky, we went all of December without snow that stuck, but there have been a few days this month where I just didn't leave the apartment because the ground was slick. That said, I have used it some in snow and ice, and it works okay, but I definitely always hung onto the car or my husband as much as I could.

Slippery When Wet
Coming inside after walking on the aforementioned ice and snow, the rubber foot was very, very slippery on tile and hardwood flooring. My two near misses in terms of falling both happened immediately after coming inside and skidding on the foot because it was wet. Luckily, both times I was caught by a wall and our real estate agent, respectively.

Funky Knee Hair
This is a really strange one, and definitely not something I expected. The blame can't entirely fall on the iWalk as I also use a knee scooter around the apartment, but I've noticed that I'm getting some ingrown hairs on my kneecap. Definitely weird, and definitely not something I've ever had to deal with before, so if you're a lady and shave your legs, just be aware that this is a possibility.

Lots of Buckles
Normally around the apartment I don't use the iWalk, simply because it takes a good 30-60 seconds to get all of the straps attached, and it is just simpler when going to grab something from the kitchen to use my knee scooter. You do get pretty quick, especially when dealing with freezing sleet pounding down on you. One of the most frustrating things, though, is taking the minute to fasten it on at a restaurant, walking thirty feet to the car, then having to take the whole thing off again. But, it is definitely easier than breaking down the scooter.

Stares and Strangers
The last and perhaps most unexpected downside of the iWalk is other people. You will get SO MANY stares, and everyone wants to ask you about it. I did not meet another person who has ever seen this before, so there was a lot of curiousity. I am an extrovert, so this is not something that really bugged me that much, but if it were my husband or someone introverted, I can see how this would be really hard to deal with. Also be prepared that 1/3 of the people who talk to you will launch into a story about their own injury or surgery experience.

So, there you go! That's my best effort to give you the downsides of my experience with the iWalk 2.0. That said, I would 100% recommend it to anyone who will find it useful in their recovery. It has given me so much freedom of movement throughout my recovery, and I'm so glad I bought it. Check out my next post, iWalk 2.0 Review - The Upsides!

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