Discuss Your Mobility Needs With Us

What Is Arthritis And How Can It Affect Mobility?

Arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in one or more joints, which can make them harder to move. It can affect any joint, but commonly affects areas such as the hands, wrists, feet, knees and hips. Symptoms vary between people and different types of arthritis, but for some, reduced movement can make walking, using stairs and completing everyday activities more challenging.

There are many types of arthritis with different causes. Osteoarthritis is the most common type in the UK and commonly affects the knees, hips and small joints of the hands.

Mobility equipment does not treat arthritis, but suitable walking aids, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other equipment may provide practical support when joint problems make everyday mobility more difficult.

When To Seek Medical Advice

Speak to your GP if you have unexplained joint pain, swelling or stiffness that does not go away within a few days. We do not diagnose or treat arthritis. Our role is to help you explore practical mobility equipment that may support your everyday needs.

How Mobility Aids Can Help With Arthritis

Different arthritis mobility equipment can help with different everyday challenges. The aim is not to treat the condition, but to provide practical support that can make certain activities easier to manage.

Walking Aids For Support

Walking sticks, rollators, tri walkers and walking frames can provide additional support and stability.

NICE recommends considering walking aids for people with lower-limb osteoarthritis. The right walking aid may help with balance, walking function and reducing some weight-bearing through affected joints.

Explore Our Walking Aids

Mobility Scooters For Distance

If arthritis makes walking longer distances difficult, a mobility scooter can provide another way to get around.

A scooter may help with trips to the shops, appointments, visiting friends or other everyday journeys where walking the entire distance is challenging.

We offer lightweight and boot-friendly scooters alongside larger models designed for different journeys.

View Our Mobility Scooters

Wheelchairs For Longer Trips

Wheelchairs can provide seated mobility when prolonged walking is difficult.

They may be useful for shopping trips, days out, holidays or appointments where significant walking would otherwise be required.

Our range includes transit and self-propelled wheelchairs, with hireand purchase options available.

Explore Our Wheelchairs

Powerchairs For Powered Mobility

A powerchair may provide another option for people who need seated mobility and powered control.

Compact and folding models can suit different indoor, outdoor and travel requirements. We can help you compare suitable options based on how and where the chair will be used.

View Our Powerchairs

Stairlifts For Home Access

Arthritis affecting the knees, hips or other joints can make repeatedly climbing stairs more difficult.

A stairlift provides an alternative way to travel between floors. We offer straight, curved and outdoor stairlift options depending on the property.

Explore Our Stairlifts

Daily Living Aids At Home

Arthritis can also affect everyday activities around the home, particularly when stiffness or reduced movement affects the hands or lower limbs.

Our daily living aids include grab rails, bath lifts, raised toilet seats, ramps and other practical equipment designed to make everyday activities easier to manage.

See Our Daily Living Aids

Try Mobility Aids Before You Decide

Finding the right mobility aids for arthritis depends on your individual needs, home and daily routine.

Our free home demonstrations give you the opportunity to try suitable equipment, check comfort and manoeuvrability, and see how a product works in your own surroundings.

Arrange A Free Home Demonstration

Who May Benefit From Mobility Equipment?

You may want to explore mobility equipment if arthritis makes it harder to:

• Walk longer distances
• Maintain balance or stability
• Use stairs
• Get out for shopping or appointments
• Move around your home
• Complete everyday activities
• Maintain your usual independence

The most appropriate equipment will depend on your individual mobility and how you intend to use it.

Important Considerations Before Choosing

Mobility equipment should complement, rather than replace, appropriate medical care.

If a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or another healthcare professional has recommended specific equipment, tell us when discussing your options.

Correct sizing and setup can also be important, particularly for walking aids. NHS guidance recommends considering factors such as height, strength, intended environment and how an aid will be used.

Why Choose TravelAbility UK

TravelAbility UK is a family-run mobility specialist with over 50 years of combined experience.

We offer free home demonstrations, mobility equipment sales and hire, servicing, repairs and ongoing aftercare from our Whitley Bay and Wallsend shops.

We support customers across Whitley Bay, Wallsend, North Shields, Tynemouth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the wider Tyneside area.

Learn More About TravelAbility UK

FAQs About Arthritis And Mobility Aids

Can Mobility Aids Help Arthritis?

Mobility aids do not treat arthritis, but they may make walking, travelling and everyday activities easier to manage.

Which Walking Aid Is Best?

This depends on your mobility, balance and where you intend to use it. Options include walking sticks, rollators, tri walkers and walking frames.

Can I Try Equipment First?

Yes. We offer free home demonstrations so you can explore suitable equipment before making a decision.

Can I Hire Mobility Equipment?

Yes. Short and long-term hire options are available for selected mobility equipment.

Find The Right Mobility Support For You

If arthritis is making everyday movement more challenging, we can help you explore practical equipment suited to your needs. From arthritis walking aids and mobility scooters to wheelchairs and daily living equipment, our team can help you compare your options without pressure.

Contact TravelAbility UK Today

A mobility scooter may suit you if you can still walk short distances, transfer safely and mainly need help with longer journeys. A wheelchair may be more suitable if walking is very limited, you need support indoors as well as outdoors, or getting on and off a scooter is difficult.

The best choice should fit your mobility, strength, home, transport needs and routine.

Discuss Your Needs

Which Suits Me Best?

A mobility scooter may be a better fit if:

• you can still walk some distance independently
• longer journeys are tiring or uncomfortable
• you can get on and off the seat safely
• you can steer and use the controls comfortably
• you mainly need help outdoors

A wheelchair may be more suitable if:

• even short walks are difficult
• you need support more often throughout the day
• transferring onto a scooter is challenging
• you need something easier to use indoors
• a family member or carer may help push you

Mobility Scooter Benefits

One of the main mobility scooter benefits is greater independence on longer journeys.

They can be useful if you are still mobile around the home but find shopping trips, appointments or days out difficult.

Other benefits can include:

• easier longer-distance travel
• different models for pavement, road and travel use
• folding or dismantling options for some vehicles
• reduced need to walk long distances

Before choosing one, make sure you can transfer safely, use the controls comfortably and store or charge it at home.

You can explore our range of mobility scooters to compare different options.

Wheelchair Benefits

The main wheelchair benefits are flexibility and more consistent support when walking becomes difficult.

Depending on the model, wheelchairs can be suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Options include:

• transit wheelchairs
• self-propelled wheelchairs
• lightweight and folding models
• powered wheelchairs

A self-propelled wheelchair requires upper-body strength, while a transit chair usually requires another person to assist.

You can browse our wheelchair range to see the different types available.

Think About Everyday Practicalities

Do not choose based only on size, range or appearance.

Ask yourself:

• Can I get through doorways easily?
• Can I store it at home?
• Will it fit into my car?
• Can I use the controls comfortably?
• Will I be comfortable sitting for longer periods?
• Will I normally travel alone or with someone else?

These details often matter more than product specifications.

Try Before You Decide

If possible, try different options before making a final decision.

Pay attention to:

• transfers
• steering or propulsion
• seat comfort
• turning space
• controls
• transport and storage

A home demonstration can help you understand whether the equipment really suits your routine.

During a home demonstration, the team can help you consider practical details such as comfort, access, turning space, storage and how well the equipment fits your everyday mobility needs. Home trials are available for mobility scooters, powerchairs, wheelchairs, walking aids and other mobility equipment.

This can be particularly helpful if travelling to a showroom is difficult or you simply want the reassurance of trying equipment in your own surroundings before making a decision.

If your mobility needs are complex or changing, it may also be worth speaking with a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or wheelchair service for additional guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Mobility Scooter Better Than A Wheelchair?

Not necessarily. Scooters are often better for longer outdoor journeys, while wheelchairs can provide more support when walking is very limited.

Which Is Easier To Transport?

It depends on the model. Many manual wheelchairs fold, while some mobility scooters fold or dismantle into smaller sections.

Can Mobility Scooters Be Used Indoors?

Some smaller models can, but larger scooters may be difficult to manoeuvre through narrow spaces. Wheelchairs are often more practical for regular indoor use.

Should I Try One Before Buying?

Yes. Testing different options helps you compare comfort, controls, transfers and manoeuvrability before making a decision.

Choose What Fits Your Routine

The choice between a wheelchair and mobility scooter is not about which one is better overall. It is about which gives you the right level of support.

A scooter may help you stay independent on longer journeys, while a wheelchair may provide more consistent help when walking is difficult.

If you are comparing your options, exploring our range of mobility scooters and wheelchairs can help you understand which type is most practical for your everyday life.