Suggestions please for a lightweight/folding mobility scooter

[Ineedascooter]

Hi all. Ive name changed for this one because Ive spoken to a lot of my rl friends. Ive got early onset arthritis in both my knees - which is causing me a lot of pain when I walk. Mostly when I initially stand up/try to walk and if Ive been standing for a while (ie any standing still for longer than 30 seconds is usually really painful)

So Ive got a choice
a) have my knees "done" - which will mean weeks of recovery...... and Im nervous about the horror stories Ive heard - ie I might still be in a load of pain afterwards.

b) or get a scooter (which will actually help prior to me get about whilst I wait for the op - if I opt for that). Ive got a theory that if I rest more....... my legs feel better. So if I use a scooter to get about my legs should overall start to feel a lot better (as they have over the last few days whilst Ive had a few days off work - my legs have improved a lot)

So thats the back story - I need a scooter. It needs to be

• folding - so I can store it in my quite narrow hallway at home
• light enough that I can carry it into and out of the house
• but sturdy enough that I can ride it the 20minutes into work and home again - on the pavements that arent as smooth as shopping malls/airports! Quite a few cambers/bumpy tree roots. (no issues re storing it at work)

Ideally Id like one with suspension (comfier ride) and chunkier tyres. I dont need it to automatically fold (I can do that myself) but I do need it to fold because Ive not got the space for one that doesnt.

Ive spent all weekend trying to research which one would be best of what Ive seen online but am no further forward. I had a dealer visit last week demonstrating one but I felt he wasnt really telling me the truth. Ive also not been entirely sure whether Id be better off with a scooter or a powerchair?

Previously I was considering a bike so that I could kinda "roll" into town (Im alright pedalling) but they arent legal on the pavement.......and Im not confident on the roads.

Any suggestions oh wise MNetters? Either one you've got yourself or one that an older person in your family has got? Thanks!

Get your knees done. Honestly it’s fine.

@ExitPursuedByABare apparently 30-50% of people that have it done are not happy afterwards........... that doesnt sound fine enough for me!

Arthritis will only worsen. A scooter is a good idea, but it is NOT an alternative to surgery.

As for which one - you need to go into a mobility shop because there are too many variables. One of the biggest issues is the weight so you need to be able to stand long enough to take it apart, lift each piece and move it. My Dad has struggled with several because he can no longer lift them into the boot of his car. He now has a new car with a lower boot.

My dad also put off a double hip replacement for years and is seriously regretting his choices. He's had one done and he can't believe how much better that side is. The second surgery has been delayed by a year or more (shit NHS in Scotland) and it causes him a lot of problems.

My mum has had a knee replacement and it's not as good as she hoped, but the alternative was no walking at all. Not even in her own home and she didn't want to be immobile.

You won’t find one because your needs for it to be small and narrow to fit in your storage area and lightweight are opposite for the need for chunky wheels and able to deal with tree roots etc.

Small foldable ones always have small wheels that are not chunky. These cannot cope at all with tree roots, gravel, sand etc.

Scooters that can deal with tree roots are bigger. Some do break down into multiple pieces to make each piece lighter to lift, but none fit into the storage area you’ve described. You would be constantly tripping over as there’s always parts that stick out.

source: I’ve had to use scooters for 15 years. I’ve had and tried many different ones. I currently have two different ones: big one with big chunky wheels that can cope with grass, gravel and tree roots that breaks down into five pieces and a mini foldable one for planes and trains (NB: bigger scooters can’t go on trains) but Mini would break if I try to use it on gravel, long grass, sand, mud, cobbles, uneven pavements or going across tree roots that you describe.

I would also caution that it’s a pain in the arse being disabled and having to use a scooter. You will discover all sorts of issues like lack of drop kerbs (and mini scooters can’t even go up tiny kerbs, they need it to be flat flat), people parking across the only drop kerb, and lack of disability access into and around shops, cafes and restaurants. Can’t do steps. Lifts often broken. Honestly it’s a PITA. We still live in a very able bodied world where proper decent disabled access is an exception, not the norm.

I would get your knees done instead

Hi OP I’m a scooter user for fatigue. I have the Go Go https://pride-mobility.co.uk/mobilityscooters/gogo-mg2/
This goes a maximum 4mph and I can lift it. It has wheels that you can use to wheel it, but this only works for very short distances as the wheels are also anti tip wheels.
The suspension on it is very poor and it’s a really bumpy ride; it’s the same with all the lightweight ones if they’re light enough to lift the suspension isn’t great. I think the vibrations might exacerbate your discomfort/pain. You’d have to lift it over/go around big tree bumps etc.

I also use an electric bike and found I’m not as nervous on roads as you can use the “assist” to get your speed up.
Hope that helps, feel free to PM me if I can help more.

Thank you for starting this thread as I too am beginning to think I need some help in getting around.

I think if you get PIP you can get help with mobility aids through Motorbility.
watching with interest.

@PaintDecisions @joshingaround @SpottyShoes123 thankyou all SO much for your thoughtful helpful replies, I really appreciate another perspective.

I totally know that my condition will in time only get worse - but I also know that if Im sleeping well and also not on my feet for hours every day, my knees feel better. Plus I know the waiting list for the op is 2 years atm.

Im back on the list for surgery but meantime I needed a solution because I dont drive and have no relatives locally who can help (plus I hate being dependent on others). So I bought this (which when I bought it was in a sale so £300 cheaper)
Atom Fold Boot Scooter Its been a total game changer. Literally transformed my life.

Ive been using it to get to and from work and wherever else I need to go. Although yes..... a few issues re dropped kerbs, thoughtless drivers/pedestrians not looking where they are going! - Ive got my routes sorted so most of the time its been fine. And as a result my knees now............ dont hurt at all! Literally not in pain at all. Which is miraculous because prior to buying this the pain was making me hesitate about walking even five metres, standing up was painful, sleeping was a nightmare etc. Its made such a HUGE difference. Worth every penny.

So much so that this week I was able to ride it to our local station, fold it and move it onto a train to London and then spend a lovely day in the sunshine with a friend in London. Due to the pain in my knees I havent had a truly enjoyable day out in such a long long time. The battery did give up a bit on the way home but thats easily solved by buying a spare (my scooter has a slot for a spare).
So Im now eagerly planning future day off city breaks/daytrips!

Surgery.......... yes. But my scooter is a massive "for now" win.

Obviously........ because its only a class 2 and its lightweight/foldable its got its limitations. Its a bit of a bumpy ride even on pavements (but not awful) and no good for going on a countryside walk etc. But as Ive got no car Im rarely able to do that anyway. In a town/city centre its exactly what I need. Plus it folds up and can easily live in my hallway. Im easily able to arrive at work, into the lift and drive it too my desk. It folds up in seconds and I slide it under the desk where it lives until either I go out for some lunch time fresh air or home again at the end of the day.

@IamEarthymama see above for an update from me. :)

That's absolutely fantastic news, I'm delighted for you!

I’m sorely tempted to……

And further to my statement above that you’d be fine with a knee replacement, I saw a consultant last week who said I was one of the lucky 10% who recovered completely after the surgery. So I take it back. Good luck with your scooter.