I've just gotten my first quad cane! I ordered it two days ago and
it just came today.

Now, I have kind of an odd question: for those of you who use canes-
doesn't matter what kind-which foot do you step forward with first? I
use the cane on my left side, because that's the leg that gives me the
most trouble-it's the same one that started giving me trouble back in
'94. When I walk, I step forward with the right foot and bring the
cane forward with my left hand at the same time. My father claims
that I should be bringing the cane forward and stepping forward with
my left foot (the side I'm having trouble with) at the same time.

Now, I could swear that I'm walking the way they told me to walk when
I went to PT years ago.

Who's right?

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.

Here's the problem: my left leg gets so weak that using the cane on
the left side is the only thing that keeps me from falling-the leg just
won't hold me up. I'm just wondering if I'm supposed to step with the
cane (left hand) and the right leg first, or the cane (left hand) and the
left leg.

The cane becomes your arm sort of. The cane in your right hand, step with your left foot and bring the cane forward at the same time. This way you can put more weight on your rt arm than your left foot.

Hope this helps.

Okay, I'll try it,thanks!