Walking Canes (also Canes, Walking Stick, Crook, Hiking Staff, Quad Cane) are assistive devices used as an ambulatory aid for helping one walk, when either or both legs are impaired/injured.
Canes help redistribute your body weight from a weakened lower leg and helps improve stability by providing an increased support base. Ten percent of adults older than 65 years use canes, and 4.6 percent use walkers according to some sources. Walking canes are also helpful for use when added balance is required for the user.
Canes are generally lightweight instruments for the user, but, because they transfer the load through the user's unsupported wrist must be strong and durable.
The basic cane has four parts.[2] These parts vary depending on the design of the cane and the needs of the user.
Canes have different types of Handles
The handle of a cane is extremely important to the user. Many different styles exist, the most common traditional designs are the
crook handle, the
Fritz Handle and the
Derby Handle.
Ergonomically shaped handles and palm grip handles have become increasingly common for canes intended for medical use, both increasing the comfort of the grip for the user (particularly important for those users with disabilities which also affect their hands or wrists), and better transmitting the load from the user's hand and arm into the shaft. Other popular cane handles include
figurine,
precious metal,
knobstick, and
opera or pistol.
Collar decorum
The collar of a cane may be only a decorative addition made for stylistic reasons, or may form or shield the structural components between the walking cane's shaft and handle.
Shaft
The shaft of the cane transmits the load from the handle to the ferrule and may be constructed from carbon fiber polymer, metal, composites, or traditional wood (sometimes exotic wood is used for greater aesthetic).
Ferrule or Tip
The tip of a cane provides traction and added support when the cane is used at an angle. Many kinds of ferrules exist, but most common is a simple, ridged rubber tip. Users can easily replace a ferrule with one that better suits their individual needs. Some tips exist that are quite wide; the axiom "where the rubber meets the road' stands similar in this context.
Quad canes
Quad tip canes have a base attached to the shaft that provides added stability by having four ferrules/cane tips set from a base ending at the shaft,
Adjustable canes
Consists of two shaft segments telescoping one inside the other to allow adjustment for a variety of heights, dependent upon the user's comfort and size.
Folding canes: have several joints, generally linked by an internal elastic cord, allowing them to be folded into a shorter length when not in use.
Forearm canes: are either regular canes or offset canes with additional forearm support, allowing increased stability and load shifted from the wrist to the forearm.
Tripod canes: open in tripod fashion. Often available with an attached seat.
Adjustable canes: feature two or more shaft pieces for a telescoping effect that allows the user to lengthen or shorten their walking cane to fit to size. This feature can be combined with other variations.
Shillelagh: a cane made of blackthorn wood, originating in Ireland and still a recognized symbol thereof.
All cane users who need a walking cane for medical reasons should consult a rehabilitation specialist or medical professional before choosing the style that is right for them. It is particularly important that the cane is the appropriate height for the individual user (see also: how to measure for a cane
HERE). Canes are generally used in the hand opposite the injury or weakness. This may appear counter-intuitive, but it allows the cane to be used for stability in a way that lets the user shift much of their weight away from their weaker side and onto their cane, thus preventing their center of balance from swaying from side to side as they walk. It also allows for fluid movement that better matches walking, as the hand opposite the leg generally sways forward in normal human locomotion. Personal preference, or a need to hold the cane in their dominant hand means some cane users choose to hold the cane on the same side as the affected leg.
Accessories
The most common accessory is a hand strap, to prevent loss of the stick should the hand release its grip. These are often threaded through a hole drilled into the stick rather than tied around.
A clip-on frame or similar device can be used to stand a stick against the top of a table.
In cold climates, a metallic cleat may be added to the foot of the cane. This dramatically increases traction on ice. The device is usually designed so it can be easily flipped to the side to prevent damage to indoor flooring.