Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUse After Injury or SurgeryUse With Chronic PainTypes of CanesLosing Balance
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Use After Injury or Surgery
Use With Chronic Pain
Types of Canes
Losing Balance
A cane is an assistive device that can help you walk after injury or surgery. Many people living with chronic pain or balance issues use them. There are a few types of canes, and the ideal one for you depends on your needs. When walking with a cane, hold it on the side opposite your injury or pain and move it with the injured leg when you step.
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Before You Use a CaneIf you’ve had surgery or have a serious injury, check with your surgeon or physical therapist before you use a cane. Often, you’ll need to limit the amount of weight you put on your leg while it is healing, and a cane does not provide enough support in those situations.
Before You Use a Cane
If you’ve had surgery or have a serious injury, check with your surgeon or physical therapist before you use a cane. Often, you’ll need to limit the amount of weight you put on your leg while it is healing, and a cane does not provide enough support in those situations.
Cane Walking After Surgery or Injury
A cane can help reduce pressure on your leg or back after surgery or injury. Healthcare providers may recommend a cane as a “step-down” device after you have used a walker or crutches because they offer less support than the latter but more than nothing at all.
Before walking with your cane, ensure it’s at theproper height. Hold the cane’s handle at the level of the bend in your wrist when standing with your elbow slightly bent.
When using a cane, hold it in the hand on the opposite side of your injury. If you have issues in both legs or are using a cane after back surgery, keep the cane in the hand that feels the most supportive.
How to Take Practice Steps
To practice taking steps with your cane, do the following:
Continue this three-step process until you can take multiple steps in a row with good balance.
Next, try a “step-to” walking pattern:
How to Walk Normally
Once you’re comfortable taking practice steps, you can start walking normally with your cane. To do this, advance the cane and your injured leg simultaneously; the cane should be lifted off the ground when your injured leg is in the air. Firmly plant the cane on the ground when you step onto your injured leg.
To walk normally, step forward with the cane and your injured leg first, then step past your injured leg with your uninjured leg.
Using a Cane on the Stairs
When walking up and down stairs with a cane, it’s important to use proper technique to avoid losing balance.When using a cane on the stairs, remember the phrase “Up with the good; down with the bad” to help remind you which leg to step with first.
Walking up the stairs:
Walking down the stairs:
If there’s a handrail available, use it. Doing so might require you to move the cane to your other hand, even if it’s on the same side as your injured leg, but it will improve your stability and reduce the risk of falling.
Once you’re proficient with this walking pattern on the stairs, you might be able to progress to alternating placing one foot on each step. Place the cane near your injured leg.
How to Safely Walk With a Cane
How to Walk With Chronic Pain and a Cane
Walking with a cane when you have chronic pain is similar to using it with an injury. The location of your pain will dictate in which hand you hold the cane. If you have pain on the right side of your body, keep the cane on the left side (or vice versa).
If your chronic pain is not in your legs (for example, you have back pain that makes it difficult to walk), you can hold the cane on either side of your body. If you have weakness on one side of your body or decreased sensation (numbness) in one of your legs or feet, hold the cane in the hand on the opposite side of the pain, weakness, or numbness.
Walking with a cane can also be beneficial for people with other medical conditions, even if they are not painful. Using an assistive device is also a good idea if you have issues with your balance.
The 5 Best Walking Canes for Stability and Mobility
Types of Canes and Recommendations
The traditional cane is shaped like a candy cane and has a rounded “C” handle. Other types of canes have contoured handles for a more secure grip. If you are unsure which type of cane is best for you, consult a healthcare provider, such as aphysical therapist.
Losing Balance on a Cane
One potential risk of using a cane is losing your balance. If you can’t maintain your balance with a cane, you might need to consider a differentwalking device, such as a walker or crutches.
To reduce your risk of falls with a cane, consider these tips:
Summary
A cane can help you be more independent after an injury or surgery. When learning to walk with a cane, hold it in the hand opposite your injured leg. Take practice steps until you feel confident. Choose the correct type of cane for your needs and one that is appropriately sized for you. If you need help with this decision or learning to walk with a cane, consult a physical therapist.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.How to use crutches, canes, and walkers.Hirayama K, Otaka Y, Kurayama T, Takahashi T, Tomita Y, Inoue S, Honaga K, Kondo K and Osu R (2022)Efficiency and stability of step-to gait in slow walking.Front. Hum. Neurosci.15:779920. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.779920National Library of Medicine.Using a cane.Arthritis Foundation.How to choose the right cane.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.How to use crutches, canes, and walkers.Hirayama K, Otaka Y, Kurayama T, Takahashi T, Tomita Y, Inoue S, Honaga K, Kondo K and Osu R (2022)Efficiency and stability of step-to gait in slow walking.Front. Hum. Neurosci.15:779920. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.779920National Library of Medicine.Using a cane.Arthritis Foundation.How to choose the right cane.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.How to use crutches, canes, and walkers.Hirayama K, Otaka Y, Kurayama T, Takahashi T, Tomita Y, Inoue S, Honaga K, Kondo K and Osu R (2022)Efficiency and stability of step-to gait in slow walking.Front. Hum. Neurosci.15:779920. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.779920National Library of Medicine.Using a cane.Arthritis Foundation.How to choose the right cane.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.How to use crutches, canes, and walkers.
Hirayama K, Otaka Y, Kurayama T, Takahashi T, Tomita Y, Inoue S, Honaga K, Kondo K and Osu R (2022)Efficiency and stability of step-to gait in slow walking.Front. Hum. Neurosci.15:779920. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.779920
National Library of Medicine.Using a cane.
Arthritis Foundation.How to choose the right cane.
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