Has anyone had any experience of wheeled mobility aids designed for walking across rough ground?
I am reasonably tall and after regaining my posture through core exercises a standard walker is too low for me and does not cope with roughish tracks outside. I normally use a single trekking pole, but wonder if I could extend my range with a specialist device.
My primary disabilities are balance and foot drop. The devices I have seen advertised are not cheap and I would very much like to try before I buy. I suspect the exhibitions of aids are not going to come back soon. My only experience has been pushing a wheelchair round a garden in Devon and around a museum in Ironbridge.
Anyone had experience? Where I live is hilly I don’t think the equivalent of adult balance bikes are practical, but I would still be interested in the experience of others.
I have a Torpo Troja and very happy with the build quality, so worth considering. They also make the Olympos, which is supposed to be an off road job, although no experience of this model.
The height should be fine, as I am 6’4" and suits me nicely.
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The best thing I have found to help drop foot is the remarkable FES and your GP can arrange for a referral.
I have the Troja for inside and flat and Olympos for off-road …the Olympos is much more sturdy and robost for uneven ground, lumpy meadows etc…they are both fantastic and would highly recommend. Hope that helps …best of luck…
Thanks for the advise. I had seen a Swedish model that had a pair of wheels close together at the front but was very expensive. I will investigate the Olympic if I can find it in stock locally. At the moment OK for a short distance unaided, with trekking pole for a few hundred yards otherwise onto scooter if it is longer. Using a simple elastic brace for foot drop. Normally compare notes at local MS Exercise class.
My attitude is to try to do things in as many ways as possible. Too easy for me deteriorate when I am not out and about.
I just want to thank all of you for teaching me something new! I had no idea they made off-road rollators, and I’ve just fallen in love with one that I hope to buy in the coming months. It would be perfect for my rural life.
These are the more exotic options I had found. All much more expensive than those suggested above. I think some of them would not be suitable for me and difficult to try out.
alinker (a bit like an old fashioned hobby horse with two front wheels)
Van Raam City Walking Aid (a bit like a child’s balance bike)
Wheelator (a cross between a rollator and wheelchair available from Tomcat)
Trionic Veloped (purpose built for off road. Two front wheels close together and two at back. Multi varients)
Local stockists didn’t have Olympos or Troja in stock. Did have Drive in stock with suspension, but did not feel the handles were quite high enough for me. However, it did emphasise I could stride out with the right device. Came across a curious option of a crutch with wheels which sounds mad, but it may work for me (not available at the moment).
Need to find a good shop, but I think this is all very niche. Anyone had experience of web ordering and having to return unsuitable items?
On a good day I can manage a few hundred yards using a trekking pole as a point of reference. Have been up and down since diagnosis around 3 years ago. I think I can regain a reasonable level of mobility through a combination of focussed exercise and walking. Hence the interest in outdoor rollator.
Not sure if FES is appropriate at this stage, all things are interrelated but I feel my primary problem is balance and the secondary problem foot drop. Whatever the problems, your body becomes deconditioned.
Does FES extend the range significantly because it reduces fatigue?
It doesn’t reduce fatigue, it sends an electrical pulse up the leg so as you start to step your foot is in a more natural place. It may be worth asking your Dr or MS nurse about it - it has helped with my balance and confidence
Just received my Olympos and taken it for a spin around the block. Completely different experience from an indoor rollator, smoothed out the broken acing slabs. Try it out on my local hills next.
Thank you. MS Nurse did mention FES pre lockdown, but I was doing OKish on a good day. Suspect we all fight too long and leave it too late. Find the rollator allows me to lengthen my stride and this naturally reduces the foot scuffing. I have missed exercise through living a varied life. Now on three exercise classes a week This is making a difference but need to do more living outside.
