Hi Braindrain...

I've been using a cane since '87, and was instructed to use the cane in the opposite hand of the weaker leg. I know, I know...John Wayne uses it on the same side as his gimpy leg, but that's Hollywood for ya.

I cannot use my cane on the other side without having to shift my weight considerably over that bad side, causing too much stress on my body.

Initially, I had been using it wrong and had complained about hip pain to my doctor, who then asked me to walk for him. He immediately saw the problem and told me to switch sides. It made no sense to me at the time, as I just thought that you'd support the bad side with the cane, but if you think about it....while your bad leg is supporting you, the cane supplements that support on the side that will give you more balance in your stride, as the leg on that side is already off of the ground.

So, in my case, I place the cane tip (left hand) ahead on the ground simultaneously with my bad right leg.

Try it and see if this doesn't make a difference for you.