using a cane
By Modestah
@Modestah (11177)
United States
February 18, 2008 7:24pm CST
I have been using a cane today to hobble to the privy and to my desk...
my question is, when you use a cane do you hold it on the affected side or the strong side?
I can see reasons to use either one...
on the strong side so that when that foot is raised there is still support on that side - on the weakened side so that when that foot is down all the weight does not have to be on the foot.
I have been using it on the weak side, and then holding whatever is near me as I go along, with the strong side (the wall the furniture, the child's head - lol)
which is the proper way to utilize a walking cane?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I'm sure you have probably received an answer to your quesiton already, but I am answering from an email alert so forgive me if you have received an answer! Your can should be in the hand opposite of your injury, in other words, on your 'strong' side. Your cane and strong leg should move forward first, bearing your full weight. Then your injured leg can be brought forward to meet them. The height of your cane is very important too. When you are standing up straight, the top of the cane should come to the crease in the underside of your wrist. Steps/stairs can be tricky. To go up steps, the good leg and cane go first and then the injured leg. To go down steps/stairs, the bad leg goes first followed by the cane and strong leg. A way to remember this (which is taught in nursing and med schools) is that 'good' people go to heaven and 'bad' people go to he!!.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120593)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I don't often use a cane, so I don't the exact proper way to use one. But I have one because sometimes I need it when my fibromyalgia or my back acts up. Now that you mention it, I do use the cane to put the weight on my strong side, not the side that is affected with pain.
