The only thing other than Ampyra that helps my walking is my chiropractor visits. My hip wasn't hurting, really - but I blamed it for the bad gait. After being xrayed I was happy to learn it wasn't my hip causing my bad gait and the effect of having one leg shorter than the other. It is the fact that my very lower spine is curved because that's how I have been lifting my weak leg for 12 years. Thought I'd been lifting it with my hip, but what lifts your hip? Your spine.

Kitty, I started using a cane partly for the same reason as you. When I started using a rollator in the yard I was amazed at how much less energy it took to walk. Way less effort!

Please consider a rollator for daily use in place of the cane. It might feel like a "step" you don't want to take but it is only a tool. And an energy-saving tool at that!