Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The information here is easy to understand and I am confident using the cane. I couldn't remember which side. Canes are made from wood, plastic, or metal. Use this as a rule of thumb. There are other methods of achieving this star pattern: Europeans, for example, use a 'steamer' method which entails weaving both horizontal strands of cane simultaneously. The best kind of cane for you depends on what you need it for. Place your weight on the cane so that you are removing pressure from your leg. Why do I have lower back pain while using a walker? If you're using a cane for better balance, consider putting it in your non-dominant hand so that you can continue to use your dominant hand for everyday tasks. To create this article, 39 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Remember that the tip of the cane travels fastest and its point of impact will receive the greater punishment. It may take time before you can use the cane on your own so be sure that you have someone to assist you. If you're suffering from a chronic injury too severe for a cane to support, you might start looking into walkers. If you’re walking up stairs, hold the banister with one hand and your cane in the other. A cane cannot and should not sustain a large portion of your body weight. Grasp the … When to Stop Using the Quad Cane . To go up the stairs is almost as easy as it is to go down the stairs. Instead of using your cane, hold the handrail for support. Be careful when walking on wet or slippery surfaces. They are generally used to aid light injuries or to improve balance. If your cane is too big, you'll need to lean over onto your injured side in order to use it. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The shaft is the long part of the cane, and can be composed of wood, metal, carbon fiber polymer and other materials. ", steps. Put the cane about 10 cm (4 inches) to the side of your stronger leg. Your cane should have grooved rubber tips covering the bottom of each leg(s) of the cane. How can I get my hand to stop falling asleep when using a cane? After three months of trying to use this cane, I now know where I was going all wrong. Holding the cane with the wrong hand. With a written prescription from your doctor, most health insurance plans will cover the cost of a cane. You are bending down over a maladjusted walker. The tip... Take some of the pressure off your weaker leg by placing pressure on the cane. For a common injury, the opposite side is OK, but for a bad knee, you want it on that side in the event the knee starts to buckle. This explained it. If right knee occasionally goes out should I still use cane on left side? The following slides show different types of grips and ways to make sure your cane fits you correctly. ", "The hospital sent me home with a cane but didn't show me how to use it. Be sure your cane is in good condition. Rest that hand and wrist as much as you can when not walking, and think about using a brace while sleeping to prevent overuse injuries. When you walk with a cane, it holds most of your body weight and reduces pressure from your lower back and legs. Policy, Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. To hold and use a cane correctly, hold it in your hand on the side of your good leg, because this hand will naturally swing forward when your opposite leg takes a step. The following are common kinds of canes: Standard canes have a rounded crook handle. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I needed reminding on how to use the cane properly. Bring the cane up. You'll have much more stability and a less awkward gait. Maximum force is therefore the usual rule. ", the walking stick to go and up down the stairs was very informative and helped greatly. Then step up to the same step with your weaker or injured leg. Assess how much help you need. Also, it saves you from a sudden fall due to weakness and stiff muscles. Most have either a single point, four points (quad cane), or three points at the bottom. I also confirmed that I was using the cane on the proper side, "Understanding the dynamics of walking with a game leg, and using the cane on the side of your good leg to get the. Before using it for the treatment of serious medical infirmity, a consultation with a certified medical practitioner is a must for you. Discuss your options with a doctor, so you know which type of support will be best. I appreciate the information you, "I have vertigo as well as problems with my right knee. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Always hold the cane in the hand opposite the weaker side The cane moves forward together with the weaker leg. Make sure your floor is free of clutter to prevent falling. ", doctor. If it continues, talk to a doctor about it because it could be a sign of nerve damage or some other condition. When going down stairs, start with the cane, then put your weak leg forward, and follow with your good leg. Wear low-heeled, tie shoes for better support. A perfectly fitted cane will keep you upright while providing support. A quad cane, which has four tips, can provide a broader base of support but is often more awkward to use. The cane may provide you a fraction of a second or a little distance to keep you from getting tied up in a close-range encounter, enabling you to shift position, draw, and connect with a shot. If I have one leg shorter than the other, which side do I hold the cane on (short leg or long leg side)? We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. "I had my cane's height too long, so l reduced it as closely as possible to the inside wrist "crease." Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. Have the individual place their arm … How to Walk with a Cane Correctly - Ask Doctor Jo - YouTube Get a cane with a wrist strap, then you cannot drop it. This article received 62 testimonials and 95% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. People with arthritis generally do well with a single-point cane. Sometimes you might feel the need to limp, but it's better to gently tread than to weaken your muscle. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Take the first step up with your good leg, then bring your bad leg up to the same step. Follow with your affected leg and cane simultaneously. ", teach you how. This article was very helpful in teaching me to learn to use the cane. Each time you take a step with your bad leg, move your cane forward and place it on the ground at the same time as your foot so it absorbs some of the weight. I was using it on the wrong side. As your strength and balance improve, you may notice that walking is easier. Avoid pressing it exactly on or against the sciatic nerve. "I am going to have knee replacements soon, and this has given me a guide as to what I need to do between, "My question was concerning which side to hold a cane. Step up with your stronger or uninjured leg. when I started using the cane, the same side as the injury felt best when I compared both sides (to hold it with). Once mastered this can be a very fast method. This number is … ", "It was good to have it explained why the cane is used on the good side, which seems opposite to logic. Thank you so much! Last Updated: July 2, 2020 A cane can be adjusted to fit your height. Shaft. Some shafts are collapsible for easy portability. "I was having my first gout attack but was unsure how to use a cane. It can be a physician or a close family member. For example, if your right leg is injured, hold the cane in your left hand. I am currently walking using a walker and, "I was using my cane all wrong with the height of the cane, which side the cane should be on, and how to use it for, "I was not comfortable even standing with the cane until I came here to find out why. The reason why you use a cane right now doesn’t matter. The rubber stoppers on the bottoms of canes and crutches will need to be replaced periodically. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Strange that docs and nurses tell you to use a cane, but don't, "I am using a cane for the first time to maintain balance after twisting my knee. On the side of your short leg, so it will move with the long leg and compensate for the short one. Have a second person measure the distance from your wrist joint down to the floor. Thanks. "I have been holding my cane on the wrong side. How can I avoid hand and wrist pain when using a cane? My experience tells me it's just about reducing the load on the injured side, I was able to do it on the 'wrong' side. Stand up straight and relax your shoulders. When possible, sit in chairs that have armrests. Thank you! It must be remembered that, even if the culprit is a friend, a caning will not be of any use unless it hurts and hurts a lot. It is recommended that you pick up a pair of shoes with lifts built in. Use your cane in the hand OPPOSITE your injured leg. They can move quickly and be hard to see. Quad canes may help reduce falls in people who are recovering from strokes. ", prevent further damage. Not sure how to, "Initially I was using my cane in the wrong hand but have now corrected it. I'm surprised there aren't 2 schools of thought when it comes to which side. Policy. By using our site, you agree to our. Consider too whether you need a different mobility aid - a crutch may be more appropriate if you need to transfer a lot of weight off your foot. How to go up the stairs with a cane after hip surgery. Move the cane forward a short distance. Be sure to speak with your doctor and physical therapist to be sure that you are safe to stop using the quad cane. When humans walk, we stride with our feet and swing our hands at the same time. Make it higher. Color. With training and practice you can learn to use your cane to establish distance, deflect, circle, or even take down an attacker, and then draw your concealed weapon immediately after. 2. To climb stairs, move your good leg first. There are various kinds of canes. At the exact same moment, you will need to swing your cane forward as well. This article helped me understand how to use my cane correctly, "Very helpful. ", "The instructions were explained simply and in detail, and the illustrations were invaluable! Follow your physician’s orders regarding any limits on your activities. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Thank you for the article and illustrations. This helped more than they did. This will help you keep your balance. I reluctantly agreed, but when using the cane it felt awkward and unhelpful. But, "My brother kicked me right in the knee and now I can't walk with that leg. The top of the cane should hit at the top of the hipbone When standing straight and holding the handle, there should be a slight bend in the elbow. Put on the shoes you’ll be wearing when you use a cane. Filed Under: Walking Tagged With: walk with cane properly. ", take steps. I, "Your technique was useful for me, as I am about to use a cane for balance. At the beginning of the application of Thera Cane, you need to use it for limited time because the overuse of it may result in soreness. Whether you're recovering from an injury or just nursing a painful leg, a cane can help you maintain mobility. Things to Avoid. Alternatively, you can lay your crutches down on steps, sit down, and pull them along with you as you use your good leg to sit on the next step. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The technique is similar for a pronged or quad cane. If I use a cane on one side for a long time, will that arm be significantly stronger than the other, and if so, how can I prevent that? Some canes have three or four ferrules at the bottom instead of just one; this enables them to carry more weight. It won't be anything extreme, as in you looking lopsided or something. Try to look straight ahead and not down at your walking aid. When this occurs, it may be time to use a standard cane, which provides less support or use no device at all. You don't necessarily have to, but it is highly recommended by many professionals. When told I should do it oppositely, it was an adjustment to get used to it. Neither option is ideal. Short, or long leg side? Grip. Cane length is usually about one half the cane user's height, in inches, wearing shoes. Tips on using stairs were also helpful. ", "People are not concerned about the proper way to use a cane until it hit's them where it hurts. It might feel a little awkward at first, but with practice, you should find this to be a useful walking aid. The cane might be too high or might too low for your height. Spread your weight evenly between your feet and your cane. Instructions based on type of cane are: Push down on the cane. The adjustments helped me immensely on, "Glad to know how to use the cane correctly, because I had been using it wrong. Using a cane should be simple but you must be careful especially if you just got out of the surgery. ", "I needed a refresher on how to use my cane. For tips on how to tell if you should use a crutch instead of a cane, keep reading! wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Using an inappropriate type of cane. When using a cane, you want the same technique so you don't risk injuring something else while you are recovering. Once your cane and foot are firmly down on the step, place some weight on the cane and lower your other leg down. It is important to make sure that you swing the cane as far as the step that you have just taken. “’Up with the good, down with the bad’ makes this easy to remember,” says Ramage. To create this article, 39 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. If you are in an upright position, the top of a cane is supposed to be at the pleat of your wrist and the elbow slightly bending as you hold your cane. If you are using a quad cane, grab the chair arm with both hands and then ease down into the chair slowly. The article was very clear with the answer & the photos. For tips on how to tell if you should use a crutch instead of a cane, keep reading! When walking with a cane, make smaller steps, at least for the beginning. Whenever you step forward with your bad leg, move your cane with it. Whatever you select, make sure the grip feels solid and manageable, not slippery or too big. For example, if the left foot ankle is injured, the cane should be held in the right hand. Rugs and mat on the floor can obstruct your path and can be dangerous to you while using your cane. ", notice the difference in pain. Put the cane in the opposite hand from the weaker leg. If one leg is shorter than the other, which is the correct side to use the cane? Although many canes are plain or unadorned, you don't have to settle for a pedestrian grey cane if you don't want to. Use on your strong side. It helped to learn how much the arms/hands are, "I re-positioned the cane length to fit me properly. Note that all canes consist of 3 main parts; the grip, the tip, and the … Make sure you keep the cane a few inches out to the side. Check if the surface is safe enough. A trolley is an effective way to carry items around the house, and give you support. My mom insisted that I use a cane to, "I recently had my right knee replaced, awaiting left knee replacement. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Hold the cane on the opposite side of your weak leg to shift your body weight to the strong side. You may even be able to find a customizable cane that matches your personality as much as it supports your frame. When using a standard cane, grab the armrest with one hand, while holding the cane in the other one, then sit down. The bottom of the cane usually has a nonskid rubber tip to prevent it from slipping. Step down with your weaker or injured leg. Using the cane and rail for balance, slowly bring your good leg down to the same step. First of all, hold the rail with one hand and the cane … The instructions and illustrations, "I didn't know whether to use the injured side or the uninjured side for the cane, as I have never used a cane, "Needed clarification that I was using a walking stick correctly. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Hold-and-Use-a-Cane-Correctly-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Hold-and-Use-a-Cane-Correctly-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Hold-and-Use-a-Cane-Correctly-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid45019-v4-728px-Hold-and-Use-a-Cane-Correctly-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"