Many canes are height adjustable, but some are not (particularly those carved from wood).
Walking with a cane that’s either too long or short can lead to more aches and pains, especially in your elbow, shoulder and neck.
When trying to correlate your height to the length of a cane, remember to factor in the height of your shoes because you likely won’t be using the cane without them. [3] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
With the cane in hand, your elbow should bend at a comfortable angle — about 15 degrees or so. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Bending your elbow a little more is okay if you’re primarily using the cane for balance instead of weight support.
If your cane is too short, you might lean to one side — which can throw you off balance.
Normally the hand you hold the cane with is on the opposite side of the injury, but sometimes it’s the same side — your doctor or physiotherapist can determine the correct side for your situation. [6] X Research source
Try a few different lengths of canes while at the medical supply store or your physician’s or physiotherapist’s office before determining the perfect size for your particular condition. Choose a walking cane based on function as well as personal preference.
There are different kinds of canes. Some have one tip while other have four tips. The ones with four tips provide more stability but these canes are harder to use. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Not all walking canes are designed to support all of your body weight, especially if you’re obese. [9] X Research source As such, perhaps you should consider crutches or a wheelchair if you need more support.
Try gripping different types of cane handles to see what feels the most comfortable for you.
The pliable rubber tips on the ends of canes grip the floor much like the tread on tires grip the road. Make sure your cane has a tip that is in good shape. If you need to replace the tip, then go to a medical supply store and buy a new one. When buying a cane, make sure the rubber tip is supple and the tread is in good shape.
