Why do you use a cane?

[Zacksmomi]

I can't tell you how many people ask me this question.  I am sure you know...never mind.  
I even had my GP ask me if it "makes me feel good to have a cane with me"

To which I responded "Do I feel good about the need for a cane, or do I feel good about preventing a fall on my face"
He did not reply.  He is generally a good Dr so I let that one slide.
I went to an ortho yesterday to have my hips looked at.  Basically I found out that I have spacticity and muscles that don't work right WOOHOO! No big deal I am on meds for all that.  Going to PT etc.  

So I ask the Ortho... "I have a bad shoulder and always use my cane on the right side.  I can't switch.  Is that going to cause a problem eventually"?

He replied by saying that we use a cane as a tool to support the side that hurts the most.  Since my left leg has more tendernous to the touch in the hip area this is obviously the side that hurst more and he would recommend I use the cane on the right side.  ?????????

Now I don't know about anyone here, but I use the cane to help lift my weight a bit so that when I step forward there is less effort on my legs and I can walk farther before getting completely weak and tingly.  I get the impression from the Dr's that they think I don't really need the cane.  

So I am asking people here, what do you use your cane for?  Is it for pain, weakness, or fatigue? Am I crazy to think that I am helping to prolong using the rollator in public by using the cane?

Thanks folks
D

[FrankieT]

Hello, I use a crutch with an armcuff on a hinge. It helps stablize the weakness that I also have in the arm and it also allows me to pick things up and have the crutch dangle from my arm without having to put the cane down. This is extremely helpful when tending to the children, reaching into my purse, grabbing a drink, etc.

The crutch does two things for me. It balances the strength. Taking a step forward with the crutch on the bad side AND the good leg keeps strength on both sides. This also helps with overall balance. It also forces you to walk at a slow and steady pace which is important for avoiding falls. Since you never know when the bout of 'dizzy' is going to happen, it is best to be balanced and as strong as possible. Having the crutch also helps me get out of chairs without looking stupid. :)

[PastorDan]

I did find it useful for flipping light switches from several feet away, for pushing automatic door opener buttons, for dragging dropped items out from under desks, beds, etc., and similar tasks.

One of my docs -- the PCP, I think -- volunteered when they first saw it with me that using it was a very good idea, under the circumstances.

[slightlybroken]

I use my cane if I need to walk for long distances. It's mostly for the weakness and the fatigue. If I use my legs for very long, the left side will give very fast. My legs feel like jello. I walk with a limp anyways, and have since 2008. I have foot drop. I also have balance issues, so I also use it to steady me.

If I feel good enough to not use it on the outside, I get more questions as to why I have a limp...Most people will ask if I hurt my leg, or something on that line. I get no questions when I have the cane.

I also poke my husband with it lol.

[Michela11]

I had to use a cane outside the house during my last exacerbation, which also included using it at work.

I was constantly asked why.

My general response "All the better to whack you with".

And believe it or not - that's where the majority of people left it!

[MsWobbles]

I use a cane to prevent falling which I used to do lots.  No MD ever suggested I use a cane.  I just arrived at that conclusion while having to have stitches to my face after suddenly and inexplicably falling, hitting my face to the pavement without even time to brace myself, breaking my glasses.  Pain!!!

Canes are what allow us to avoid breaking our hips etc.  Remember, all it takes is one really bad fall to permanently end your mobility.  So lets "raise cane" joyfully remembering that our canes help us remain mobile!

WAF

[supermum_ms]

Its an interesting dilema, i'm not using my cane because i'm not going any where, though there have been times when i've been away on long weekends and had to use a family member cause i'd left it behind.

I'm weaker and less stable in the left leg than the right but stronger and more stable in the left arm than the right. My left arm has been stronger since i ripped the muscle of the bone in my right arm, i've done to the left too but i'm right handed so often i'd have to carry something in my left to keep my right free.

When i started using a cane, i held it in my left hand because thats the leg thats weak and heavy but i was tripping with my right foot and my left couldnt catch me, so i transfered it to the right which made me more stable. I still think the reason i was tripping with my right foot was because it was doing all the work and getting tired and lazy, with the extra support it didnt have to work as hard.

I did still find i needed a wall to run my hand along or if no wall, someone to hold onto on my left side too. I walk a 1000 times better now and i dont really leave the house cause no one wants me driving but if i am out, someone gives me an elbow if i'm unsteady.

So did that confuse it more?

Cheers.......JJ

[HVAC]

I have to justify Polly to total strangers and sometimes friends at least once a day. It gets really annoying. On a bad day I can get down right nasty about it. People think I have her for there and my emotional support. The thing is Polly and I become one and she makes it easy for me to walk so I forget she is there. They are like "You do not look disabled to me". Yeah that is because the dog is helping me walk.

People can be so stupid.

Alex

[Zacksmomi]

Thank you everyone.  I feel so much better now.  It is hard to remember sometimes that what we experience is different than an "injury" in many ways.

I have PT today so I am going to discuss in depth with her what is best for me physically.  I have a rollator, I am just not ready to admit I need it yet :)

This forum is the best
Big hugs to all
D

[thornygates]

I think your answer to your GP was great!

I get this question all the time. My answer depends on who is doing the asking?

When asked by coworkers I'm not sure how to responded. I say its for balance because many have seen me try to stand still without a cane. near impossible most the time. unless i can lean against a wall and I do that often.  

If friends ask then i might say i have a neurological problem, if i feel they really care. or I tell them its because of my ataxia.

If  noisy people ask:  I say better to hit people with and grin.  :)  

when I use a cane for stability, I grip it in either hand - whichever feels most comfortable.

when I use my cane because of weakness, my physical therapist told me to hold the cane with the opposite hand. I was not able to do so because when my left leg hesitated my right hand jerked/trembled and I fell over. You have a bad shoulder so you my not be able to use it in the opposite hand.

I do have to remember not to use my cane like a crutch. not put all my weight on the cane as this will make my arm and shoulder hurt. sometimes i have to, but not all the time.  

[GrannyJo6]

Good grief - cog fog strikes again. I meant to say "that my legs are NOT working quite the way..."

[GrannyJo6]

I just want to suggest a site that has a huge assortment of canes and tips on how to use them. It is fashionablecanesdotcom.  I hope that works. I use mine for stability as I tend to veer off to one side or another. I don't need it in the house but use it when out where I could get bumped and lose my balance. If I have to use a cane for an extended time, I am going to order one or two from that site. They have several white with red tip ones that aren't the telescoping long ones. These are regular canes but they alert people around you that you are using it for stability as well to show that you have visual difficulties. Then I would want a fancy patterned one just for fun. As far as being asked why I use a cane I would answer that my legs are working quite the way they should right now and the cane helps me walk better. I've only been using it for 7 weeks or so and haven't had a lot of people asking. Take care and be safe out there!

[Mand125]

Hi there

I use the cane for balance like PastorDan. I also think it has become a bit of a security thing.

The point is I haven't fallen over since using it, in the couple of years before I got it I fell half a dozen times.

I think I once saw a post on this site that said something like use the cane on the opposite side of an injury but if the problem is neurological then use it on the same side as the weakness. I just use mine on the side that feels most comfortable.

Mand

[PastorDan]

I've heard arguments before regarding which side a cane should be on when it is used for waekness or pain on a particular side.  Such discussions always confused me.

I used mine strictly for balance, and since I was prone to fall in varied directions, I held it in the hand of whichever side I felt more likely to fall toward at any given moment.  I have found that it takes a while to wean myself from the security of having it there, but I'm doing pretty well this week.

[RedFlame]

How awful!!!  I'm soo sorry that this happened to you!!!  

This really really touched on a good topic, I hope that others will respond too.

I think you handled it very well!  We all need validation for our pain etc. so badly and unfortunately  we receive the opposite.  Invalidation from a medical proffessional must have been very painful.  I am so sorryt his happened to you.  Some doctors can be so well...let's just say judgemental and cold.

I use a rollater every time I go out.  I have to because of my falls, weakness of my thighs, balance issues and inability to walk more than a minute.  I also have a handicapped sticker on my car now.  

These things have all happened since I last saw my PCP in January and his Nurse Practitioner in early Februaty.  My rheumatologist, pain specialist and physical therapist prescribed them.

I am so scared to go my PCP, but I am going to have to fairly soon.  I am so afraid that I will experience what you just did.  I have been thinking about this for a while now, and have wondered if I should just shuffle in the best I can so they can't disrespect me.  

As far as the use of the cane---I was told the same thing by my PT.  She told me that you use it on the side without the pain so that you have a tripod effect for stability.  I don't have a cane so I don't have anything to compare it to.  

The rollater really helps me and gives me a place to sit before a possible fall.

lois