The walking stick is a common mobility aid designed to improve balance, increase stability, and reduce the amount of weight borne by an injured or painful lower limb. Utilizing this device correctly is paramount for safety and effectiveness, ensuring that it acts as a functional extension of the user’s body. Proper technique begins with a precise fitting that establishes the correct biomechanical relationship between the user and the stick.
Determining Proper Height and Fit
Correct sizing ensures the walking stick provides optimal support and does not lead to poor posture or joint strain. The user should stand upright in their regular walking shoes, allowing their arms to hang naturally at their sides. The top of the stick’s handle must align with the crease of the wrist or the prominent bone on the wrist.
This alignment ensures that when the user grips the handle, their elbow is bent at a slight, comfortable angle, typically 15 to 20 degrees. Maintaining this elbow bend allows the shoulder to remain level and prevents the user from having to hunch forward, which introduces strain to the back and neck. A stick that is too long forces the shoulder upward, while one that is too short causes unnecessary forward leaning.
The Standard Walking Technique
The standard walking technique with a stick is designed to mimic the body’s natural gait pattern. For a person using a stick to reduce weight on a weaker or injured leg, the stick must be held in the hand opposite that impaired limb. This placement allows the stick to share the load when the weaker leg steps forward, mirroring the way the opposite arm helps balance the body during a normal stride.
The most common method for walking with a stick is the modified three-point gait, which provides continuous support and stability. The sequence begins by moving the stick and the weaker leg forward simultaneously, placing them slightly ahead of the body. The user then steps through with the stronger leg, which carries the body’s full weight while the stick and the weaker leg are stabilized on the ground. Keep the stick close to the side of the body, stepping with it to maintain a smooth, rhythmic flow.
Navigating Specific Obstacles
Using Stairs
When encountering stairs, a simple rule to remember is “Up with the good, down with the bad”. When ascending, the stronger leg leads by stepping onto the next stair first, lifting the body’s weight. The walking stick and the weaker leg then follow, joining the stronger leg on the same step. When descending stairs, the sequence is reversed, with the stick and the weaker leg leading the movement down to the next step. The stronger leg then steps down last, controlling the body’s descent and bearing the primary weight. In both ascent and descent, the walking stick is placed on the same step as the leading leg to ensure continuous support.
Sitting and Standing
For the transition from a seated to a standing position, the stick is used for balance, not as the primary source of leverage for pulling the body upward. The user should slide to the edge of the chair, placing the stick in the hand on the side of their stronger leg. They should push off the armrests or the seat of the chair with their free hand, leaning the “nose over toes” to shift their weight forward before standing. Once fully upright and stable, the user can then rely on the stick for assistance with walking.