Exercise assistance - but could they help pain management, too?

 

Apparently exoskeletons (frame sort of things with an electric motor that one wears to augment muscle power) are becoming more and more popular in the fitness culture.  The New York Post reports:

 E-bikes gave cyclists a major boost. Now, a wearable robot wants to do the same for your legs.

Meet the exoskeleton, a battery-powered gadget that straps onto your body and promises to make running, hiking and everyday movement feel like less — or more — of a workout.

Robotic exoskeletons have been used in medical rehabilitation for decades, helping people practice walking following illness or injury.

Now, companies are bringing lighter-weight versions to the consumer fitness market, with ambitions that go beyond restoring mobility: They’re helping healthy, active people move farther, faster and with less effort.

There's more at the link, including closer examination of various models.

I think it's a given by now that exoskeletons help recovery from injury, allowing one's muscles to get back into training without over-exerting themselves.  However, what about someone like me with ongoing, permanent pain issues?

A particular problem for me is that if I start walking, I'm already at a baseline level of pain.  The further I walk, the greater the pain becomes, forcing me to walk ever more slowly until eventually I have to stop - and, if possible, sit down - until the pain reduces to a manageable level.  At that point I can start walking again, but inevitably the pain comes back, and the cycle repeats.  I can't walk for more than 5-10 minutes before I have to stop.  I doubt I could cover half a mile, even including frequent breaks, without having to quit, or use a mobility scooter or wheelchair.

Does any reader with a "pain problem" like that use an exoskeleton to help?  Could they extend the period one can walk until the pain increases to an unbearable level?  I've been looking for feedback on that, but so far haven't found any.  If you, dear reader, can provide information from your own experience, or know where to find it, I'd love to hear from you in Comments.

Thanks in advance.

Peter