Walking canes were, in the past, a symbol of wealth and status in society. Often, they were used as an aesthetic prop rather than a mobility aid or tool. In movies, walking canes were also often depicted to conceal swords or knives for self-defence or used by shepherds to control and catch their sheep. When one owns a walking cane, one can be assumed to have a certain authority. However, the walking canes that we are so accustomed to today differ distinctly.
Purpose of using a walking cane
For individuals who might suffer from mobility issues, walking canes enable more comfortable, easier, and safer walking. When utilised correctly, walking canes are able to help alleviate some of the weight placed on your foot, knee, leg, hip, and lower back.
Walking canes are highly suitable for individuals who are recovering from pain or injury on one side of their body, while other PMAs, such as walkers and rollators, are more suitable for individuals recovering from pain or injury on both sides of their body or centrally. All in all, walking canes helps individuals achieve better overall well-being, independence, stability, and balance.
A walking cane may be used for several reasons, some permanent and some temporary.
The temporary use of a walking cane may be because:
- To alleviate the weight acting on the damaged area caused by foot, knee, leg, or hip injuries.
- An inner ear infection affects the individual balance
- Recovering from surgery
The permanent use of a walking cane may be because of permanent or long-term health conditions or health conditions present since birth. Amongst others, they could also include:
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
Walking cane support
Walking canes are usually employed to help provide individuals recovering from poor health or injury, suffering from specific health conditions or individuals worrying about weakness, stability, or balance, with adequate support. Walking canes also help elderlies move around independently.
Feeling unstable on one side of the body affects the individual’s independence and confidence. Hence, using a walking cane can help to boost their confidence, mood, and overall state of calm and health.
The relationship between walking canes and specific health conditions
- Arthritis: Walking is the ideal exercise for any form of arthritis. It can help you maintain or lose extra weight, reducing discomfort and pain caused by the weight placed on affected joints. Walking canes provides adequate aid to walk independently and safely, allowing you to adopt a healthier level of mobility, which will boost your overall mood.
- Surgery, accident, or strain: Walking can be difficult, especially if you are recovering from an accident or surgery and are going through rehabilitation. Using a walking cane can help to support your body, reducing the weight placed on the lower limbs, which will help speed up the recovery process.
- Chronic alcohol misuse: Chronic alcohol misuse often leads to alcoholic neuropathy, a form of nerve damage which often causes tingling in the limbs, which in the long run, may affect mobility. Hence, using a walking cane can help provide the necessary support to the weakened limb.
Selecting the right walking cane
Similar to getting a new pair of shoes, selecting a walking cane that fits your size is crucial. To ensure that the walking cane fits you, you need to:
- Put on your shoes, and stand straight with your arms comfortably by your sides.
- The walking cane’s base should be approximately 15cm from the outer side of your foot.
- The height of the walking cane should allow you to comfortably place your wrist at the point where your hip socket and leg bone meets.
The ideal walking cane height should allow you’re your upper arm to be straight while your lower arm is pointing forward at a slight angle.
The correct way of using a walking cane
You should be holding on to the walking cane opposite your injured side, which will provide the necessary support to your injured side.
Various styles of walking canes
At Falcon Mobility, we offer a wide range of walking canes, such as ones with an anti-slip quadruped base for increased stability, detachable walking canes for neater convenience, and folding seat walking canes for ergonomic rest whenever you need them.
It is crucial that you get a walking cane, whether for yourself or for your loved one, that fits the user’s social requirements, level of desired independence, daily routines, and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Walking canes help to increase the user’s stability by taking off added weight and pressure placed on the affected side of the body. To increase the efficiency of the PMA, it is vital to select the right walking cane. Using a mobility tool, such as a walking cane, should not be an embarrassing affair. However, if walking is an issue, it would be best to consider other PMAs, such as mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Visit https://www.falconmobility.my/ to take a look at our extensive range today!