BS: walking with a cane - how?

Subject: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: RangerSteve
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:28 AM

It's not a permanent problem. I fell down my stairs on Saturday morning, and my left knee swelled up to the size of my head. The Xrays showed no fractures. I'm in some pain, and my doctor wants me to stay off my feet until Tuesday, which is impossible to do as I'm single and have to do things for myself. Anyway, I bough a cane, but I can't figure out how to use it. I tried walking with the cane hitting the floor along side my bad leg to take the pressure off, but it feels clumsy. So, if anyone has had to use a cane and can tell me how it's done, I'd sure appreciate your help.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:32 AM

That's the way to do it Rangersteve. Are you right handed? That may be way you feel clumsy.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Bassic
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:37 AM

Maybe a single Elbow or Shoulder crutch would be easier for you?

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:38 AM

When I had my knee repaired, the rehab people advised me that the cane should always be in the hand opposite the damage, as that hand generally works in tandem with the opposite knee. This also helps the back stay straight, as opposed to straining the same side. Get better soon.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Deckman
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 09:45 AM

EB is quite correct. I had to use a cane briefly after my hip surgery. The physival therapists told me to use it on side of my "good" leg. And hug it firmly next to your hip. It feels clumsy at first. Take smaller strides and go SLOW. I hope this helps. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Deckman
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 10:34 AM

By the way, if you paint it white, you can jaywalk. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Dave Swan
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 10:55 AM

Hey Steve,

I've heard the opposite hand advice too, and it's never worked for me. I've had three surgeries to repair a shattered right knee and one to repair tendons in my right ankle and I've never been comfortable with the cane in my left hand, and I've used one a lot. You might try adjusting the cane so that's its fairly short, so that your arm is almost fully extended. This does lead to a Quasimodo like walk and can be tiring to the back a bit, but it feels MUCH more secure to me, at least. I keep the stick lined up with my ankle at all times and that seems to help as well.

The big point is to experiment 'til you find what works best for you.

You'll know you have it right when you can cross a room without spilling your pint.

Good luck, heal soon.
D

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 10:59 AM

Once, when my right ankle was ruined, I asked the surgeon that question. The answer was "There's official support for every possible method. Experiment and see what works best for you."

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 12:00 PM

I bought myself one of those adjustable/telescopic metal walking sticks last week to help with my arthritic hip, and I too found the same problem. If it's any help to you Steve, I haven't solved it either ;^)
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Megan L
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 02:38 PM

The advice i got from local hospital on monday was that the height is important, put the handle of the stick on the ground and mark where it reaches the crease in your wrist. Watch out i got different measurements when i did it myself and when i got someone else to measure for me

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Peace
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 03:13 PM

Used a cane after my hip replacement. Left hip. Was told to use the cane in my right hand. The cane is to support your 'tilt' to the right when you are moving your left leg forward to take a step.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Mudlark
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 04:23 PM

I also had to use a cane for about a month after hip replacement. I ended up not with the nifty Victorian cane I'd invisaged but an orthopedic shoe looking deal that had the advantage, however, of being adjustable...very important. I also found opposite side advice a little clumsy to start with but was soon walking a mile with it, with little trouble. What did cause me trouble was continually losing it. Easy to hang of checkout counter while paying, then walk away, once you CAN walk w/o a cane.

Good news that there are no fractures...hope you heal fast, Steve (and Happy Christmas from your ex-SS).

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: RangerSteve
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 05:02 PM

Thanks. The opposite side system felt the most comfortable, but I wanted to make sure.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: open mike
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 05:47 PM

R.I.C.E.
Rest, Ice, (something--maybe constrictive wrapping?) and Elevate,
this is usually the prescribed solution...
sometimes ligaments and tendons require time to repair...
goodluck and take it easy.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 07:45 PM

mack's surgeon gave the right advice - "Experiment and see what works best for you." And very likely as the leg gets a bit better you'll find yourself using a different technique.   

If you carry a walking stick and you haven't got a bad leg at all - for example on a country walk - it's a different technique again - I tend to swing it more and only touch it on the ground every few paces, or just carry it. A good stick is a great companion.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Dec 04 - 08:50 PM

Just to represent the non-conformist side, while a "cane" is the conventional solution, for a "youngster" with good upper body strength and flexibility a good quarter-staff can't be beat.

A hoe handle about long enough to reach eyeball level when standing allows you to "pull up" to support yourself when you get tired of "pushing down" cane-style. A grip at about armpit level naturally keeps the spine straight. Put a rubber "crutch tip" on the bottom end so it doesn't slip for "town use," if you want; although just the bare tapered wooden tip works much better for "cross-country" limping.

And it's much better for "whackin' the little whippersnappers" that make fun of you - or any others that are rude to the "temporary crip." Admitted, it's not quite as handy as a cane getting in and out of taxis and busses, but in "appropriate circumstances" it makes a good trade-off to use a little different set of muscles.

Of course, if you have "image baggage"...

John

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 12:22 AM

Using a cane - will frequently transfer the PAIN - from your lower extremities (foot, ankle, knee, hip) and into your shoulder or back (serious back potential.)

The lean, the twist, the un-natural, off-balance pressure is multiplied as it travels the elbow, sholder, leverages and then into the spinal discs.

Move slower, but move straight and erect and well balanced.

(some aspects of the "healing professions" (chiropractors, herbalists, napreopaths) are only there to extenuate or chronic-ize your condition - if you are not ill - they do not make money.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

You are your own best therapist IF,/b> you want to be....many who are lonely seek the healing touch of a human hand out of boredom and from an artificial, disconnected society and an authentic human skin craving need for a relationship.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 12:53 AM

Gargoyle,

Thanks very much. It's good to know that I don't have MS after all.

Art ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 12:58 AM

My cane kept falling out of my hand. A real problem until I realized it was a cane mutiny. I switched to a walker and all is well.

Art

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 01:12 AM

I've always use the cane on my gimpy side.

And I'm with John of Kansas; a staff is better if you have room. I had surgery on both big toes one time, and I found out you usually need toes to get up out of a chair unaided but if you have a staff you can climb up it to stand. And you can stretch it out or shorten your reach if you're walking on rough ground.

clint

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Kaleea
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 03:16 AM

TO USE A CANE: (I believe the actual question, no?)
    if your left leg is indisposed & somewhat off duty, step on your right foot, then plant the cane on the ground at the same time as your left foot. Repeat as needed.
    Some have to use the hand on the same side as the boo-booed leg/foot. Some folks find that a straight stick with no rounded handle is easier to hang on to. You just have to do it for a while before it really seems non-clumsy.
    Get better soon!

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 09:39 AM

When I sprained my ankle a year or so ago I used my cane on the side that was injured, worked for me, but then I always carry a walking stick when walking in the country so I was used to having one. BUT my sister-in-law, who is a physiotherapist, says you should use it on the "good" side in case you stumble with your good leg, you don't then come down on the bad one. (I think that's the logic).

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Gervase
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 11:56 AM

Try using a walking pole with a wrist-strap. They're designed to keep the hand upright, rather than pressing down on the handle of the walking stick, and are much more comfortable. They're also adjustable so you can get them to exactly the right height, which could make the difference between major backache and bliss. I use the Leki brand for hillwalking, but there are others equally as good. As a plus, when you're knee's fully healed you can still use the pole for walking/hiking.

Subject: RE: BS: walking with a cane - how?
From: Gervase
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 11:58 AM

...for a link to all you could possible want to know about poles, try http://www.trekpoles.com.