How to effectively use a cane every day

If you need to use a cane for the first time, remember to hold it at your side, not your front. You should also bend your elbow at a slight angle, with your palm down and your hand grasping the handle like a handlebar. 

With proper use, a cane can provide valuable standing, sitting, and walking assistance. It can also help minimize the risk of falls, which is particularly prevalent among older adults 65 and older; the U.S. CDC says 37 million falls occur within this population each year.

Implementing all those cane walking techniques can help you maximize its use, from enhancing stability to improving balance and supporting a weak or injured limb. 

What Is the Correct Way to Use a Cane? 

Using a cane correctly starts with knowing proper hand placement, cane positioning, and posture. Here are the key steps: 

• Hold the cane in the hand on the side of your stronger or non-injured leg
• Keep the device to your side
• Adjust its height (the top of the cane should align with your hipbone)
• Grasp the handle correctly and firmly 
• Stand up straight
• Evenly distribute weight to maintain proper posture
• Keep your gaze forward and be aware of your surroundings

The cane should also be a few inches out from your leg and feet. By positioning it this way, you can avoid accidentally kicking it, which could put you at risk of stumbling, tripping, and falling. 

In addition, certain activities warrant specific steps when using canes as mobility aids.

When Walking 

When you use a cane for walking, move it forward at the same time you take a step with your weak leg. Place its tip on the ground in front of your foot. Doing so can help put some of your weight onto the cane.

Just as crucial is to take small, steady steps. It can help minimize the risk of the cane slipping or buckling under your weight. 

While Going Up and Down the Stairs 

Use your free hand to hold onto the rails or the wall for additional support. Then, take a step up using your stronger or unaffected leg, followed by your other leg, together with the cane.

When going down stairs, move your weaker or injured leg down a step along with the cane before your other leg.

When Sitting Down or Getting Up From a Chair 

Whenever possible, choose chairs that have armrests and backrests.

Position yourself so that your back faces the chair and the back of your legs touches the edge of the seat. Then, firmly grasp the cane with one hand and put the other on an armrest. Slowly lower yourself down onto the chair.

When getting up from the chair, distribute some of your weight onto the cane and armrest. Then, push yourself up slowly. 

After a Knee Surgery 

Many people in the U.S. use canes following a knee replacement surgery. It's a typical surgical procedure, with the American College of Rheumatology saying that surgeons perform about 790,000 total knee replacements each year. 

If you've just had or are about to undergo knee surgery yourself, your doctor will likely have you use a cane. You may have to rely on it for mobility and during rehabilitative physical therapy exercises. Your physical therapist will teach you how to incorporate its use during therapies and while performing day-to-day activities like walking, sitting, standing, and getting out of bed. 

What Are Some Common Cane Walking Mistakes? 

Using the cane on the same side as the weaker or injured leg is one of the most common cane walking mistakes. Another is not considering the device's type, style, and appropriate uses. If you're going to use the mobility aid for an extended period, explore (and invest in) durable walking canes options for daily support.

Forgetting to factor in the cane's height is another typical error. Not timing the cane's movement (e.g., moving it before the weak leg) is also a mistake. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What happens if you use a cane on the wrong side? 

Using a cane on the wrong side is a mistake because it increases the load and pressure on the side of the injured, weak, or affected leg. It can lead to more pain, instability, and a higher risk of falling. 

When should you not use a cane? 

Although the use of a cane benefits many people with balance, injury, instability, and pain issues, it's not for everyone. Your doctor, for instance, may recommend using a crutch or walker instead if you have significant mobility problems. Using a cane may also not be a good idea if you have concerns regarding the coordination of your arm and the cane, experience frailty, or have severe balance issues. 

How can you tell if you need to use a cane? 

The best way to determine whether a cane can benefit you is to consult your primary care provider, orthopedic surgeon, or physical therapist. They may suggest its use if you have minor to moderate balance and stability issues, pain in the limbs or joints, or weakness in the trunk, legs, or feet. They may also advise you to use a cane if you find yourself increasingly reliant on walls, countertops, or furniture for support while walking, or if you have difficulty maneuvering stairs and performing daily activities.

How do you avoid falls while using a cane?

Using the device properly (i.e., holding it with the hand on the side of the unaffected or stronger leg, stepping with the stronger leg, and coordinating your movement) can help minimize the risk of falls as you use a cane. You can also make the mobility aid safer by choosing one with a non-slip tip. Don't forget to maintain it per the manufacturer's advice and directions. 

Use a Cane Properly to Stay on Your Feet 

Remember: If you need to use a cane, hold it with the hand on the side of your stronger or uninjured leg. Position it on your side, not directly in front of you. Ensuring the device is durable and has a non-slip tip can also help you use it more effectively and safely. 

If you're looking for more health and lifestyle guides like this, we've got you covered, so explore our other latest posts now!

This article was contributed by Next Net and published on cdapress.com as part of our contributed content program. Contributed content provides perspectives from businesses and organizations. These contributions help support local journalism through financial support, ensuring we can continue delivering trusted local reporting to our readers.