Knee Scooters Deployed at Johanniter Hospital to Enhance Patient Mobility

The Johanniter Hospital in Stendal is now utilizing knee scooters to assist patients with functional limitations in their feet or lower legs, enabling greater independence in movement.

Dr. Silke Naumann d’Alnoncourt, a physician in reconstructive and trauma surgery, stated that mobilizing patients after an injury is crucial for therapeutic outcomes. The knee scooter is part of the hospital's inpatient aftercare concept, designed to restore patient mobility.

The knee scooter is a steerable three- or four-wheeled device that allows patients to rest their injured leg on a padded platform while in a kneeling position. Propulsion is achieved using the uninjured leg, similar to a kick scooter. This method allows for axial loading of both legs, improving coordination and gait stability without requiring upper body support, and eliminates the need for patients to learn new walking patterns.

Knee scooters have been widely adopted in the U.S. and UK healthcare systems since 1950. At Johanniter Hospital, their use begins from the first day after surgery or the first day of conservative therapy, often in conjunction with a walker or crutches.

The introduction of these scooters aims to accelerate recovery, particularly for elderly patients, by preventing immobilization-related risks like pneumonia or muscle loss, and reducing the length of hospital stays or the need for short-term care. Younger patients can also return to work or school sooner.