I'm not an amputee, but maybe my experience might translate. I am using the iwalk to get the weight off my foot when I'm at home, mostly evenings. (Im recovering yet again from a recurring problem of stress fractures to my metatarsals that tend to go open. I'm in a rocker boot all day, but seem to keep irritating/re-breaking it in spite of the boot. I desperately need to take the boot off for a while when I get home.)

The iwalk is better than I thought it would be; allows me to move around the house with boot off and without crutches, which lets me putter about in my basement shop. It was very awkward for the first few days but I'm pretty well adapted now and get around pretty easily on it. I almost gave up after the first couple evenings.

It's a bit heavy, and difficult getting down the stairs. Up stairs isn't to bad as other leg is strong. All my previous injuries and a surgery to this foot had my knee mobile, so this is first experience with a locked, straight "leg". The bottom of the foot has a rubber pad - good traction but only a slight cushion, so a bit more jarring than the boot (but not to my bad foot!)

Only problem is I need the straps a little tighter than comfortable to keep my upper leg from moving up and down against the upper thigh strap and the knee pad/strap that goes across front of the knee to keep it solidly in the tray. It starts getting uncomfortable around my knee in a couple hours due mostly to rubbing above my kneecap and bearing weight completely on patella tendon.

Overall I'd say it's good - my balance is good, I'm mobile and agile enough to be in the shop safely, and I'm not on crutches which tie up my hands (not good around the shop, nor is hopping about or trying to balance on my good foot). And I'm off the foot and not just sitting on my butt. Downside would be weight, stiff leg, and the mild discomfort after an hour or two on it.

Hope this helps. Id definitely say try it if you can, esp if you can before you buy it.

Hey Tricia!
During the 8 weeks between surgery and first prosthesis, I tried all kinds of things to get around. I tried something similar, the Only One Crutch:
http://www.rammtlc.com/Products/onlyone.php

It was really well-made, brilliant concept, but just wasn't stable enough to negotiate steps, curbs, or uneven ground. I sent it back. It would work better for someone who has a foot on that leg, but that ain't us !

If I want a break from the prosthesis, I'll use around the house a rollator. With its high-ish seat, I can cook in the kitchen and stuff quite easily.
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8615/rollator.jpg
Steve

I used the Iwalk while I was waiting to get my prosthesis...it was great! I was able to go back to work, go out with friends, and do pretty much anything I wanted to within reason. Only negative was after wearing it for several hours, it was hard to straighten my leg back out, but well worth it!