how do u use a cane?
 

elbow should be slightly bent. hold arm so that elbow is straight from shoulder to hip, then bring hand forward so that your point of contact with the head of cane is just ahead of your leg that should be the correct angle.

hope that helps

hugs and prayers

bring on the bubblewrap

well i must be stoopid...............laffff
 

.........my right foot is the bad side, and i use the cane (when needed ) on that side.......i need the extra support and strength there...............i can understand if it is someone with a bad arm, naturally they can't use the cane to support themselves, duh, if it is your arm why need the cane?????////// duh??????????///////man i think i am stuck on stoopid today...too many things on my mind i guess.........
i sent you an email, but i decided to post it here too.................take care liz..........................
oh and by the way..........HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY

the only problem with using the cane on the side you have trouble on is that when you take a step forward your weight is all on the injured side. by using the cane on the opposite side you have 2 points of contact with the ground supporting your weight more evenly and allowing you to step rather than hop.

hugs and prayers

bring on the bubblewrap

before you cut !!! see if your p.t dept at your local hosp will measure just for you so it's correct. you sure don't want my bad advice to ruin your good cane :)

well hells bells......
 

hi farm wife...hope you are doing a bit better now.......

no wonder i am totally screwed up...lafff
when i take a step with my right foot, i use the cane too,on the right side with the foot and the cane for support......then i use my left leg (good leg) then the right foot with the cane for support on the right side as i continue walking.................so i am really off now huh???

i am still pretty miserable, thank you for asking. but a person has to cope you know?

but the good news is, i finally had dsl installed. it seems to be easier to "compute" because i don't have to spend so much time waiting for everything to download, and i don't have to sit here so long.

hope you and yours are feeling beetter. miss chatting with you.

hugs and prayers

are you still online....
 

im me.........


how is yard ornament doing??//

The top of my cane is right at the crease in my hip.

"They" told me and taught me to use the cane on the right (the good side).

I just couldn't though because, at that time, my hands hurt so much from the neuropathy -- I couldn't stand the pressure on my hand.

I use the cane on the "bad" side.

I always figure the cane is like a third leg -->> cane/left_leg/right_leg. I always have the support of the right leg and the cane. I guess someone who considers herself a talking moose can be just as weird as she wants to be :p

Barb

Hi Liz,

Walking stick time, huh? Oh well, these things can transform our lives. I always need pictures to explain anything like this to me.
Here are a couple of picture sites (for people 170 yo, don't let that bother u!!):
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_caneuse_sha.htm
http://www.falls-chutes.com/guide/en.../handout1.html
and here's a blog discussion of House (M.D.) and the fact that he uses it on the wrong side..
http://blogs.chron.com/realrehab/arc..._is_wrong.html

all the best, don't go tripping up now!

thx all