There are multiple things that can cause fatigue in your uninjured leg - here are the top reasons:
1. Initial learning phase - it's completely normal to feel some fatigue when you are first learning. As you gain proficiency, this fatigue will reduce significantly.
2. Over-recruiting the good leg - the iWALK crutch works best if you pretend it is not there. This means you need to commit your entire weight to it, just like you do in normal walking. Some people "light step" on the iWALK leg, which causes overuse of the good leg, which leads to fatigue.
3. Minor muscle recruitment - The gait adaptation required by the iWALK is minimal, especially compared to other mobility devices. However, some people may use some minor muscles differently when iWALKing as compared to their normal gait, which can cause fatigue. Generally, these muscles adapt quickly, plus your iWALK gait becomes more efficient, so this issue typically self-resolves in a couple days.
4. Some fatigue is normal - The iWALK crutch will never be as efficient as your human leg, so you need to maintain realistic expectations. After a day or two of practice, most people can easily get through their daily routine using the iWALK, but they will expend more energy than if they were uninjured. All mobility devices will cause fatigue, but clinical studies have shown that the iWALK crutch is the most efficient mobility device.
5. Fitting issues - for good reason we have provided many adjustments to allow you to tailor the fit of your iWALK. The goal is to mimic the geometry of your human leg as closely as possible, and small adjustments can make large increases in efficiency. So if you're still experiencing fatigue or soreness after 2 days of use, review our fitting videos and make any necessary adjustments. Click here to review the fitting instructions.
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