Knee Scooter Rental: Renting vs. Buying and What Insurance Covers
A knee scooter (also called a knee walker) lets you rest your injured leg on a padded platform and roll around with your good leg. For foot and ankle recoveries it's often easier and safer than crutches. Since most people only need one for several weeks, the first question is usually: rent or buy?
How long will you need it?
It depends on your injury and your surgeon's instructions, but common timelines look like this:
- Ankle fracture or ankle surgery: often 6 to 8 weeks of no weight on the foot.
- Achilles tendon repair: often 4 to 8 weeks before partial weight-bearing.
- Bunion or other foot surgery: often 2 to 6 weeks.
- Foot wounds or diabetic ulcers: can be longer, depending on healing.
Rent or buy?
| Rent if… | Buy if… |
|---|---|
| You expect to need it for about 2 months or less | Your recovery will be long or uncertain |
| You want delivery, adjustment and pick-up handled for you | Someone else in the family may need it later |
| You don't want to store it afterward | You want a specific model with extra features |
We'll give you both prices so you can decide. Rentals can be extended anytime if healing takes longer than expected.
Does insurance cover a knee scooter?
Coverage varies more for knee scooters than for most equipment:
- Medicare often doesn't cover knee scooters, treating crutches or a walker as the standard option.
- Private insurance and Medicaid plans sometimes cover them with a prescription. It depends on your plan.
- Workers' compensation commonly covers a knee scooter for a work-related foot or ankle injury when the treating doctor orders it.
We check your coverage before delivery and tell you up front if it will be private pay.
Safety tips
- Set the knee pad so your hip and knee are level and your standing leg is slightly bent.
- Set the handlebars at about hip height so you stand upright.
- Use the hand brake when stopping, and lock it before getting on or off.
- Take turns slowly. Most falls happen when turning too sharply.
- Don't use it on stairs. Use crutches or a stair rail with help.
Not sure a scooter is right for you? Read Knee Scooter vs. Crutches.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a knee scooter without a prescription?
Yes, for a private-pay rental. A prescription is only needed for insurance or workers' comp to pay.
Will a knee scooter fit in my car?
Most models fold and fit in a sedan trunk or the back of an SUV.
Is there a weight limit?
Standard knee scooters usually hold about 300 lbs. Heavy-duty models are available for higher weights. Let us know when you order.
How fast can I get one?
In Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties we can often deliver the same or next business day, so you can have it when you get home from surgery.
Get a knee scooter delivered
Call 954-332-4378 or request equipment online. See our walkers, rollators and knee scooters and walking boots and braces.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Follow your surgeon's weight-bearing instructions.
