One of the UK’s largest private healthcare providers is currently piloting a new foot and ankle recovery support pathway, developed in collaboration with StrideOn, the UK’s leading knee walker specialist.
The initiative was introduced by a Physiotherapy Manager within a major orthopaedic hospital, who identified a growing challenge in supporting patients through the non weight bearing stage of recovery.
The Challenge
Over time, the physiotherapy team had noticed a clear shift in patient needs.
Many patients are now presenting with:
• Increased frailty
• Multiple health conditions
• Reduced upper body strength
While crutches and walking frames remain standard, they are not always suitable. In reality, many patients struggle to manage safely with these alone, particularly during the early stages after surgery.
Even when patients feel confident before their operation, the reality of being non weight bearing can be very different. This can lead to:
• Reduced mobility post surgery
• Increased risk of instability
• Delays in safe discharge
• Longer hospital stays
This not only impacts the patient’s recovery experience but also places additional pressure on hospital resources.
A New Approach to Recovery Support
To address this, the hospital introduced a pilot scheme using StrideOn knee walkers as part of the physiotherapy assessment process.
A small number of knee walkers are now held on site and used by the physiotherapy team to assess patient suitability.
The team have received training and are confident in identifying when a knee walker can significantly improve:
• Patient mobility
• Safety during non weight bearing
• Confidence moving independently
• Readiness for discharge
For patients who would benefit, the process is simple and immediate.
Supporting Patients From Hospital to Home
Once assessed as suitable, patients can begin using a knee walker straight after surgery and take it home as part of their recovery plan.
The process is designed to be seamless:
• The hospital notifies StrideOn when a knee walker is issued
• A replacement unit is delivered to the hospital the next working day
• The patient continues their recovery at home with appropriate mobility support
• When no longer needed, StrideOn arranges collection, cleaning and maintenance
This ensures both the hospital and patient are fully supported without any disruption.
Early Results and Future Potential
The Physiotherapy Manager leading the pilot has already seen clear benefits.
By improving mobility during the non weight bearing phase, patients are:
• Moving more safely and confidently
• Better prepared for discharge
• Able to return home sooner
This has the potential to reduce hospital stay durations, improve patient outcomes and ease pressure on bed availability.
With early success, there is strong confidence that this approach could be rolled out across multiple hospitals within the group nationwide.
A Better Way to Support Recovery
This pilot highlights an important shift in how recovery is supported.
It is not just about the surgery itself, but about ensuring patients have the right tools to manage the most challenging stages of recovery, particularly when mobility is limited.
By integrating knee walkers into the recovery pathway, hospitals can offer a more practical, patient focused solution that supports independence, safety and confidence from day one.
A Win for Patients, Clinicians and Healthcare Providers
The outcome is simple.
Better mobility support leads to better recovery experiences.
Patients feel more confident and independent.
Clinicians have more effective tools to support recovery.
Hospitals can improve efficiency and patient flow.
A genuine win all round.