Knee pain often makes simple activities like walking difficult. Utilizing a walking stick, frequently referred to as a cane, is a practical method for managing this discomfort. The device works by redistributing your body weight, which lessens the mechanical load placed upon the affected knee joint during movement and enhances stability by providing an additional point of contact with the ground.
Choosing the Right Support Device
Selecting the appropriate walking stick involves considering your specific stability needs and physical characteristics. The most common option is the single-point cane, which is lightweight and best suited for individuals requiring minor assistance with balance or light weight-bearing support.
For those needing a broader base of support or greater weight-bearing capacity, a quad cane is a more appropriate choice. Quad canes feature four small tips at the base, offering enhanced stability and the ability to stand upright on their own, which is convenient for users who have difficulty bending. Another design, the offset handle cane, has a shaft that bends to position the hand directly over the cane’s center of gravity, which helps to distribute weight more evenly and can reduce strain on the wrist, making it a good choice for users with hand pain or arthritis. Regardless of the cane type chosen, the tip, or ferrule, should be made of a non-slip rubber material to ensure traction, and it must be regularly inspected and replaced if the tread becomes worn.
Correct Sizing and Height Adjustment
Using a walking stick that is incorrectly sized can lead to poor posture and may cause secondary pain or injury, which undermines its purpose. To find the proper height, you should stand upright while wearing your normal walking shoes and let your arms hang naturally at your sides. The top of the cane’s handle should align precisely with the crease of your wrist.
When you grasp the handle, this specific height ensures that your elbow is flexed at a slight angle, ideally between 15 and 20 degrees. Most metal walking sticks are adjustable and can be customized to this precise height by pressing a button and sliding the shaft to lock it into place.
Mastering the Walking Technique
The primary principle for using a walking stick to relieve knee pain is to hold the device in the hand opposite the affected knee. For example, if your right knee is painful, the cane should be held in your left hand, which mimics the natural reciprocal arm-swing motion of a normal gait. This contralateral placement allows the cane to take on a portion of the load, reducing the pressure on the painful joint. As you begin to walk, the stick and the affected leg should move forward simultaneously, landing on the ground at the same time. You then complete the step by bringing your stronger, unaffected leg forward past the cane and the affected leg.
Navigating Stairs
When encountering stairs, a modified technique is necessary to ensure safety and stability. A simple way to remember the sequence is the phrase “up with the good, down with the bad,” which refers to the leg that leads the movement. To ascend a step, you should lead with your strong leg, followed by the affected leg and the cane moving up to the same step together. Conversely, when descending, the cane and the affected leg should move down to the next step first, followed by the strong leg. Utilizing a handrail with your free hand should always be prioritized for additional balance and support when navigating any staircase.