I use hiking poles.... much easier to walk with! And easier on the hands (I have carpal tunnel too).

(SIGH) There's one in every crowd.

Hand comfort - arthritis particularly, but I would think CTS as well (we've both had flares) - is exactly what the fritz handle was designed for. Nowadays there is an even larger variety of ergonomic molded and padded handles. It's also prudent to have a cane properly sized for best comfort/support. The stresses between cane vs. staff vs. stick on the whole body are quite different, especially if needed to assist in weight bearing. I've used staves when camping, and they're probably better for that, but for truckin' around town, the cane works far better for most folks. (Don't see many hiking poles in the surgical supply stores either... Are they covered by insurance w/ prescription?)

Besides - No-one thinks much of a cane when brought into a public place. At least they don't start calling you "Gandalf"!

Doc (who has a fair share of staff/Renaissance Fair stories...)

The poles are light, and inexpensive...depending. There are some really expensive ones out there, but I have a cheapie and it has lasted 3 yrs. It allows me to walk more normally IMO. The rubber tips wear out and you have to buy replacements tho.
I started with mine for icy weather (it has a hard carbide type tip for ice).

Mine cost $15.00 each. I don't need to put alot of weight on a pole. The poles help me with stairs especially, where canes don't work well at all. (we have alot of stairs) I've walked on and off with canes for over 20 yrs. And I like my pole 1000% better. Walking with a hiking pole also uses more calories and works the upper body quite well.
Using left handed is easier too. I like the vertical hold rather than the other angles canes require. I find the poles even help take pressure off the discs in the back, which canes never did for me.

I don't get stared at as much either. Mine is green. I have a blue one upNorth, I left up there.

To each his own.

One of THOSE into a courthouse? Some folks just mite think very WRONG things about you, good person! All of them very untrue!
At, least? As long as you have it, NOT ONE PERSON would dare mess with YOU! But, I've known you long enuf to to try!
Best to try and be 'stylish' but restrained at such times.... No more hardware tho next time!
IF Only I could get to good and true craft fairs? Where they'd MAKE custom the cane of my dreams and for my mitt and all! Sigh? I can always hope....
OOOHHH! Just imagine what damage I could do to anyone threatening me w/a mitt-custom cane! Not that anyone has, yet?....but it's nice to imagine when you encounter rude people...don't have to do-just work it out in your mind!
Hugs to all! - j

Last time I was at jury duty, I used a wooden cane..back then.

I was rejected for every trial over a two day period. Defense did not like people with canes...I was stared at quite a bit. I was not old then either.

I can leave the pole behind, when in buildings. It is the long trek in and out to large parking lots, or stairs, I need it. I don't use it 100% all the time. If I find a cart in a mall lot, I use that instead.
Climbing hills, or walking on uncertain unlevel terrain, like our paths upNorth, the pole is a necessity.

I really could care less what other people think anymore. I just have to get thru my day safely without another fall. Hubby likes the poles better, he says I look Cosmopolitan etc... whatever that means! LOL