Canes: which one should I choose?

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You deserve a beautiful cane that supports your needs. Here's how you'll find the right one for you at Alpine Home Medical:

1. Assess how much help you need. Canes are the lightest walking aid, and transfer weight to your wrist or forearm. They are generally used to aid light injuries or to improve balance. A cane cannot and should not sustain a large portion of your body weight.

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2. Choose your style. Canes come in a variety of forms in order to meet the needs of different users. Variables to assess include

Grip. Some canes are meant to be held with your palm and fingers, while others can also provide support for your forearm. Whatever you select, make sure the grip feels solid and manageable, not slippery or too big.

Shaft. The shaft is the long part of the cane, and can be composed of wood, metal, carbon fiber polymer and other materials. Some shafts are collapsible for easy portability.

• Ferrule. The tip or bottom of the cane is usually covered in rubber to provide better stability. Some canes have three or four ferrules at the bottom instead of just one; this enables them to carry more weight.
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3. Check the length. To select the proper length for a cane, stand up straight with your shoes on and arms at your sides. The top of the cane should reach the crease on the under side of your wrist.If the cane is a proper fit, your elbow will be flexed 15-20 degrees when you hold the cane while standing. Cane length is usually about one half the cane user's height, in inches, wearing shoes.

4. Choose a side. If you're using a cane because you're injured, you'll want the cane to be in the hand that is opposite the side of the injury - for example, if your left leg is hurt, put the cane in your right hand. 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.

5. Start walking. When you step forward on your bad leg, move the cane forward at the same time and put your weight on them together, allowing the cane to absorb more strain than the leg. Don't use the cane to step with your good leg. As you become accustomed to the cane, it will ideally feel like a natural extension of yourself.

• To walk up stairs with a cane, put your hand on the bannister (if available) and place your cane in the other hand. Take the first step with your strong leg, then bring the injured leg up to the same step. Repeat.
• To walk downstairs with a cane, put your hand on the bannister (if available) and place your cane in the other hand. Take the first step with the injured leg and the cane at the same time, then bring down your strong leg. Repeat.