• Hannah Clas, Christian Ehrnthaller, Oliver Herrmann, Dirk Theodor Schraeder, Wolfgang Böcker, Kirsi Manz, and Peter Thaller.
• Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, University Musculoskeletal Center Munich (MUM), LMU Hospitals, LMU Munich; Department of Trauma Surgery, Hessing Foundation Augsburg; Department of Technical Orthopedics, Geseke Holy Ghost Hospital, Geseke; Institute for Medical Data Processing, Biometrics, and Epidemiology (IBE), Medical Faculty, LMU Munich.
• Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2024 Aug 9; 121 (16): 519526519-526.

BackgroundPartial or total avoidance of weight-bearing by a lower limb is regularly needed after trauma and surgery. There are approximately 200 such cases per 100 000 persons per year. Forearm crutches have mainly been used in Germany until now to keep these patients mobile. For those who lack the strength or co - ordination needed to use crutches, a wheelchair may become necessary, or they might find themselves forced to continue weightbearing on the affected limb, with possible impending adverse consequences and complications.MethodsThe supplementary use of a new type of orthopedic scooter by patients who must avoid weight-bearing by a lower limb, wholly or in part, was studied in a multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 88 subjects. The endpoints were improvement in quality of life (EQ5D, SF36) and improved abilities in everyday life (retrospective registration: DRKS00032980).ResultsPatients who used orthopedic knee scooters (KS) reported a better overall state of health more frequently than those who used forearm crutches (UC) (SF-36 score: 67 [KS group], 95% CI [61; 73]; 59 [UC group], [53; 64]). They also reported less anxiety and depressed mood, greater mobility, and more independence than the patients who used crutches. In addition, they more frequently reported being able to transport themselves 4 x 500 meters in less than 20 minutes (n 30 [KS], 63.8% [48.5; 77.3]; n 6 [UC], 14.6% [5.6, 29.2]).ConclusionThe supplementary use of an orthopedic knee scooter can improve these patients' mobility and independence and prolong the distance over which they can transport themselves. For many patients, this form of treatment may well shorten the time of their total or partial inability to work and thus lower the socioeconomic costs of lower limb injuries and surgery.

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