A trained physiotherapist, I worked in private practice for several years, particularly assisting patients with neurological disorders. Since 2019, I have been working at L’ESPOIR Functional Rehabilitation Center as a physiotherapist and within the Research-Innovation-Development unit. Technological monitoring, tests, research projects… Our team takes a comprehensive approach to evolving practices to best assist patients and the professionals who support them.
Indeed, I purchased a Wheeleo® in 2019 and was able to use it in my practice. The principle is quite simple: it is a new-generation walking aid companion. The main benefit is that the patient can move without having to lift what could also be called a ‘walker-cane’. This results in a clear gain in fluidity, with greater ease in maintaining the necessary pace, as well as freeing up one hand to potentially carry small objects.
The Wheeleo®, like any technical aid, does not meet the needs of all patients. Patients with significant attentional or cognitive disorders are often unable to use it. However, it is a relevant solution for improving the mobility of certain patient profiles, right from the start of their care. This is because once a patient forms habits, it is difficult for them to change. To build confidence, it can therefore be beneficial to train with a Wheeleo® from the outset.
The choice is necessarily made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the patient’s pathology, but also on their needs and personal perception. For example, it could be someone who has difficulty walking after a stroke, who experiences balance disorders due to poor control of a lower limb or a loss of sensation in the foot. I had a patient matching this profile who significantly gained fluidity by using this walker-cane. The same applies to a patient with Parkinson’s disease presenting postural disorders with Pisa syndrome – a posture inclined to one side. With the Wheeleo®, she was able to move independently in her apartment with the ability to grasp small objects, which was not the case with a 2-wheel rollator.
In fact, regardless of the pathology, it primarily concerns people suffering from paralysis or paresis on one side of the body, particularly due to neurological disorders. I am obviously only talking about the patients I have the opportunity to rehabilitate. Cane, rollator, Wheeleo®… To make a choice, one must first assess patients’ executive and attentional disorders, risk-taking, and their ability to progress independently. And I should specify that I haven’t yet had the opportunity to test two canes, one on each side, to see if this approach could be relevant for certain patients.
A patient with unilateral disorders using a simple cane with a tip will have a less ‘fast’ gait than with the Wheeleo® as well as less endurance – the cane requires more effort and concentration from them. Similarly, it offers greater walking fluidity than a tripod or quadripod cane.
Depending on associated cognitive disorders, an adaptation period of at least one or two sessions is necessary. If a patient has difficulty lifting their foot, for example, it is necessary either to compensate with an orthosis that will support it, or to help them focus on it so that they find the right rhythm. For example, a patient who had a stroke a few weeks earlier will have difficulty putting weight on their leg. The professional will need to prepare them, providing support, so that they dare to put weight on their leg, and preferably as soon as possible to promote recovery.
The Wheeleo® seems very stable to me. It can sometimes move away a little, but I have personally never seen it tip over. The important thing is for the patient to understand that they must keep it close to them. The main point of attention is especially on the paretic side of the body: since walking is ‘faster’ and more fluid, care must be taken to ensure the other leg follows. The professional will need to be careful to be well positioned relative to the patient to avoid this risk in the early stages. But nothing prevents moving slowly to get used to it.
The important thing, I think, is to try this new technical aid. One should not dismiss a solution that could prove beneficial for a certain number of patients. Especially since, contrary to what one might believe, the risk does not seem greater than with another cane. It is an interesting complementary option compared to the classic range of canes or rollators.
In summary, the Wheeleo® represents a significant advance in the field of functional rehabilitation. Although it is not suitable for all patients, it offers a valuable solution for those suffering from neurological disorders, facilitating their mobility while allowing them to engage in their rehabilitation process. Feedback highlights its effectiveness, particularly for patients with mobility difficulties following strokes or other neurological pathologies. Thanks to its innovative design, the Wheeleo® improves walking fluidity and promotes autonomy, while requiring professional support for optimal handling. Ultimately, the integration of the Wheeleo® into rehabilitation practices illustrates the importance of innovation in serving patients and the need to explore new solutions to improve their quality of life
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