More than a century ago, the walking cane was an essential part of a gentleman’s attire. It was an elegant accessory that symbolized strength, status, and power.
In today’s world, canes are primarily used as walking aids that provide support and balance for seniors. And it’s not uncommon for people to use a cane while recovering from a back, leg, or hip injury.
Since the time of dandies is long gone, this article focuses on how to walk with a cane if you need one due to a medical condition.
Quick Cane Selection Guide
When faced with the necessity of using a cane, many people resort to a quick solution and borrow a cane from a friend or relative. However, this is far from the perfect solution, as canes aren’t designed to be one-size-fits-all.
You need to ensure that the cane ticks all the right boxes for your needs, allowing you to prevent discomfort or additional injury.
Size
Get the size wrong, and your back and shoulders will suffer a lot of strain. To find the right size, you measure the length from your wrist all the way to the floor. Don’t forget to put on your walking shoes to get the exact number.
The measurement needs to match the cane length, taken from the bottom rubber tip to the lowest section of the top of the handle.
Comfort and Style
Regardless of the size, if the cane feels heavy or awkward in your grip, you need to look for another one. There are ergonomic, palm, offset, or orthopedic grips to choose from, so try them out to find the one that fits best.
Canes also come in different styles to match your lifestyle and clothing. If you’ll have to keep using your cane for a long time, why not choose one that matches your taste?
Walking Shoes
A pair of comfortable and well-fitted walking shoes makes the perfect companion for your cane. They provide you with an optimal gait and allow you to maintain balance.
The shoes need to have sturdy soles and padded insoles for the best fit. If you are not sure how to make the selection, visit a local shop that specializes in comfort shoes to get some expert advice.
Walking Cane Types
Walking canes come in different categories and each one is different in terms of the assistance it provides. Depending on your injury or condition, one type might work better than the other. This is why it’s important to take a closer look at the categories on offer.
Functional Grip Cane
Functional grip canes usually have a straight handle with an ergonomic grip. They allow you to have better maneuverability and control, plus they usually offer more support. This type is a good option for cane users who need additional assistance with balance.
C Canes
As its name suggests, this type of cane has a curved handle on top. They are very simple and readily available at pharmacies and medical supply stores. However, these canes are not designed to provide exceptional support and balance for all patients.
In other words, they should be used by people who only need little assistance in reducing the pressure on the affected limb.
Quad Cane
Quad canes have four small supports and a rectangle base for the best balance. They come in large and small base varieties. These canes are frequently used by people who suffer from paresis or hemiplegia in one limb.
Hemiwalker
This type has the features of a both a walker and a quad cane. It has a very large base and offers extra lateral support. Hemiwalkers are usually used by patients who are making the transition from a walker to a cane.
How to Walk with a Cane
After you nail the cane size, comfort, and type, it’s time to start walking.
First, make sure to hold the cane with your elbow bent at a 20° angle to avoid arm or shoulder pain. Hold it on the healthy side to support the affected limb on the opposite side.
Take steps by moving the cane and your healthy leg simultaneously and lean into the cane to support the weight when needed. It’s important to always take the weight-bearing step with your healthy limb, to prevent any further injury.
These guidelines apply for flat surfaces but the technique is a bit different when going up and down a flight of stairs. When ascending the stairs, the cane needs to be stationary. You lean into the cane and step up with the healthy leg. Use the healthy leg to lift up the cane and the injured leg.
To descend the stairs, use your healthy leg to lower the cane and the injured leg. Once the foot and the cane are firm on the step, shift some weight onto the cane and lower the other leg.
If the stairs have a railing, you can use it for extra support when going up or down. In this case, you hold the cane on the opposite side of the railing.
Some Precautionary Tips
It’s common to make mistakes before you master the technique. But you can protect your health and safety if you take the following tips:
- As hinted, it’s crucial to nail the cane size. Too high or too low and you’ll soon start feeling discomfort. Not to mention potential injury.
- Some people might be compelled to hold the cane on the injured side. But to walk safely, it’s absolutely necessary to hold it on the healthy side.
- The cane needs to be close to your body. If it’s too far, it will cause you to lean sideways or forward, which increases the risk of falling over.
- Consider a quad cane if a regular one doesn’t allow you to maintain proper balance.
- Make sure to consult with a physical therapist to determine the cane that’s best for your needs. Your physical therapist might also prescribe exercises to improve your safety, strength, and balance.
One More Step
Walking with a cane takes some practice, but if you follow the tips from this article, you should master the technique in no time.
It’s also helpful to have someone around to assist you until you feel confident enough to walk on your own. This goes double for people recovering from surgeries.
Don’t forget to hold the cane in the correct hand, close to your body. Take things slowly at first and it might be best to avoid stairs before you build up enough strength to climb them.
References:
https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/joint-protection/cane-tips.php
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/multimedia/canes/sls-20077060
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/how-to-use-crutches-canes-and-walkers/
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000343.htm
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