This is an absolute godsend if you want your independence. I had a pre planned operation on my heel bone and Achilles on wednesday and started using this from friday. It has taken a couple of days to gain confidence using it outside, but I can do everything that I usually do just at a much slower pace. Took a few times to master the stairs, and doorsteps. As a female long distance runner I do have strong legs but I would not use it for long periods at a time as it does start to get heavy and tiring, and the hard cast rubs into the shin bone, but this has been eased by using the wedge to lift the knee that comes in the box. However this would not put me off buying or using it, infact I am still using it, and have progressed to a 15 minute dog walk, because those small minor issues outweigh what a great product it is. I would without doubt recommend and my son who was sceptical at first is coming around to how great it is. UPDATE: I am now at week 4 and have been in an air boot for 3 weeks. Although I can walk in the boot for short distances, I still use the iwalk for longer distances and when I need to rest my foot. I have been given a 12 month slow recovery, full weight bearing time frame and I think I will be using this on and off for a few months yet.