Roll-A-Bout: Complete off-loading made easy

Abstract

Man y conditions of the foot and leg require complete off-loading to allow optimal healing. Traditional methods include wheelchair, cru tches, walker, or knee walker. The Roll-A-B out ' is a previously unreported device that has strong adva ntages ove r eac h of these devices. The device is a four-wheeled wheelc hair for one leg (Fig. I). It allows transmission of all weight through a padded area supporting the knee, completely offloading the foot and lower leg. Offset whee ls provide excellent stability, and it folds easi ly. The patient se lf-prope ls with the good leg . Unlik e crutches and all walkers, this device tran smits all weight through the knee and hip, eliminating stra in on torso and upper extremities. The patient has two free hand s when stationary and one free hand when mobile, so he or she can coo k and carry independently. Pa tient mobility, independence, and compliance are facilit ated. The authors have used this device successfully on 45 patient s from ages 16 to 86 in the last yea r, including seve ral diabetic pat ients with Charcot foot or plantar ulcers. A few patients required two or three brief training sessions. A few used the Roll-A-Bout at home and a wheelch air outside the home. A few frail or debilitated patients could not master the device and used a whee lchair instead .