A cane is a common piece of equipment designed to enhance stability, improve balance, and reduce the force placed on an injured or painful lower limb. Many people are unsure about the correct way to use this mobility aid, particularly which hand should hold it. Proper technique is necessary to ensure the cane is providing the maximum benefit and not inadvertently creating poor posture or increasing the risk of a fall. Understanding the correct placement and movement sequence transforms the cane into an effective tool for support.
Placing the Cane for Optimal Support
The rule for using a cane is straightforward and often counterintuitive: the cane is held in the hand opposite the side of the body that is weak, injured, or painful. If the right leg is the affected side, the cane should be held in the left hand, which is the unaffected or strong side. This setup is designed to mimic the natural walking pattern of the body.
Holding the cane in the opposite hand allows the user to distribute their weight most effectively. When the weak leg steps forward, the cane simultaneously advances, creating a wider and more stable base of support. This positioning allows the cane to accept some of the body’s weight, which is then redirected away from the painful or compromised joint.
The Biomechanics of Cane Usage
The placement of the cane on the strong side is rooted in the biomechanics of human locomotion. When a person walks without an aid, the arm swings opposite the leg to help maintain balance and smooth the movement of the center of gravity. Holding the cane in the hand opposite the weak leg replicates this natural cross-body pattern.
This technique significantly reduces the compressive force exerted on the hip joint of the weak leg. By pushing down on the cane with the opposite arm, the user engages the hip abductor muscles on the strong side, which decreases the demand on the painful side’s abductors. This reduction in muscle force directly lessens the overall load passing through the hip joint, providing substantial pain relief during walking.
Finding the Correct Cane Height
For a cane to function as intended, its height must be correctly adjusted to the user’s body. An improperly sized cane can lead to poor posture, shoulder strain, and reduced stability. The most accurate way to measure the correct height involves standing straight while wearing the shoes typically worn for walking.
The cane’s handle should align precisely with the crease of the wrist when the arm is hanging naturally at the side. When the user grips the handle, this height should result in a slight bend in the elbow, ideally between 15 and 20 degrees. An elbow bend outside this range indicates an incorrect height, which can cause the user to lean or strain their arm and shoulder.
Coordinating Your Movement
Once the cane is properly sized and held in the correct hand, the walking pattern must be coordinated to maximize support. The movement sequence begins by advancing the cane forward simultaneously with the weak or injured leg. Both the cane and the weak leg should land at the same time, sharing the initial weight transfer.
Next, the strong leg steps past the weak leg and the cane, completing the step. The weight is then shifted onto the strong leg, which is fully capable of bearing the body’s load, allowing the weak leg and cane to prepare for the next forward movement.
Navigating Stairs
When navigating stairs, the movement changes. When going up, the strong leg leads, followed by the weak leg and cane together. When going down, the cane and weak leg go first to the lower step, followed by the strong leg. This sequence is often remembered as “up with the good, down with the bad.”