Avoid more pain: How to Walk with A Cane the RIGHT WAY

One of the biggest mistakes I see as a physical therapist involves how to walk with a cane. Many people aren't told how to do it and can end up in more pain or with more difficulty.
Carex cane: amzn.to/3Yj5GGy
The most important aspects to look at when looking at how to walk with a cane correctly is to look at the SIZE and the HAND PLACEMENT. Walking with a cane that is too short or too high can lead to joint pain and more stress to the shoulders. If you use the cane in the wrong hand, you may feel unbalanced and could be at risk for a fall.
A cane can be very helpful if you are experiencing arthritis pain, have had a recent surgery, or are requiring more support when walking.
Other videos you may like:
When to use a quad cane vs single point cane: • Which cane is BEST for...
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6 minute beginner workout for pain relief: • Find Arthritis Relief ...
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Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Kuhn and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Move Well Age Well, LLC and Dr. Alyssa Kuhn, PT, DPT are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any conclusions drawn, services or product you obtain through this post, video or site. Complete all exercises at your own risk.

[@mikeg.4211]

After having suffered through a painful knee injury and having experimented with the use of a cane through it, I am completely convinced that the common advice to use the cane on the opposite side from the injured leg is completely wrong. Using it on the same side as the injured leg takes much more pressure off of the injured leg from my own personal experience. I think the common wisdom of using the cane opposite the injured leg is like using leeches being the common advice in the middle ages, or thinking that the jury system is a good practice.

[@sallielesage2869]

My cane height was too high (of course!) I shortened the length to my wrist crease and it seems to work so much better. Thank you!

[@arthritisadventure]

Glad it’s working better!

[@susanfisher8316]

I watch a lot of how--to films. Your cane instruction is PERFECT. You are a natural teacher! Thank you very much.

[@arthritisadventure]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@robertgrudowski3789]

Ok “lj

[@tombrunila2695]

The arm holding the cane should be nearly straight, a straight arm supports more weight with less effort. I have been using canes and different types of crutches since the beginning of the 1970's.

[@steven3517]

Yeah I don't think her cane is low enough either.

[@rafe8826]

Agree, a straighter arm, when holding the cane, allows better grip and weight bearing.

[@lilliandunning5465]

How is your posture tho. Just a sincere question.

[@tombrunila2695]

@@lilliandunning5465 , today I use full length crutches when I move about outdoors. Indoors I need only one, on the right side. The tricky part is to get the length of the crutches right. Long enough to keep the body upright and short enough not make moving the crutches difficult. I have managed to get the length right. Moving my shoulders up or down gives a few inches of fine tuning according to need. And I can walk fairly fast for somebody on crutches.

[@carolinejohn4537]

Excellent video as always. Thanks so much Alyssa 💟

[@arthritisadventure]

You are so welcome!!

[@petegriffiths930]

Thank you very much and very helpful 😊

[@catherineadamson5061]

This is great - I have been telling people this since I started walking with a stick (I’m from the UK, so not a cane!). My physical therapist gave me this advice and it has proved to be totally beneficial.

[@arthritisadventure]

that's awesome!

[@davidk8457]

Hi Alyssa ... transitioning from my walker to the cane now after left hip replacement ... great instruction and tips ... your the best !

[@arthritisadventure]

Thank you for the great compliment!

[@elisekirby4303]

Just what I needed! Thank you!

[@arthritisadventure]

You’re welcome!

[@user-rc9xt4rs6r]

All your videos are really helpful...thanks so much!!❤

[@arthritisadventure]

you're welcome!

[@sandraolivares6640]

Totally agree with you 💯 👍🏻 👏 👌 🙌

[@lulucly]

Thanks for the helpful info!

[@arthritisadventure]

You bet!

[@leoneldeleon1237]

Very good instructions!

[@arthritisadventure]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dondromano6099]

Wow, I never knew. Thank you for the information.

[@arthritisadventure]

No problem!

[@whisperingeagle]

Just excellent videos thank you

[@arthritisadventure]

Glad you like them!

[@shelbylou02]

Thank you Alyssa! I was using my cane all wrong. Now I'll have to retrain myself. 😂 My right leg is affected so right now the cane in my left feels odd. But thats bc ive been holding it with my right side for 5 months. Tfs!

[@michaelsheufelt9209]

Great video! Thanks!

[@arthritisadventure]

Glad you liked it!

[@rainbowhiker]

Thank you. That's helpful.

[@arthritisadventure]

Glad to hear it!

[@YoruMochizuki]

I've recently been losing my ability to walk without painkillers (doctors are still trying to find the issue) due to severe muscle and nerve pain in the hips and overall legs. I was scared to start using a cane, because it felt like if I did, Id be admitting a loss of autonomy due to how hard it felt to use. Ive realized now Ive been using a cane completely wrong, and now I feel like I have more pain-stamina (if thay makes sense lol) to do more things! Thank you so much for this tutorial ❤❤❤

[@deborahrumford3380]

Very helpful!

[@arthritisadventure]

Great to hear!

[@laurabell3555]

Thank you, I am recovering from a tick bite illness (so far neg for lyme) but now have a large Baker's Cyst on one knee and possibly a meniscus tear on the other (waiting on confirmation) so both knees in pain. I have started using a cane and noticed my shoulder hurting lately. Now I know to adjust my cane length better.

[@arthritisadventure]

Good luck int he recovery. Cane length is very important.

[@shivannakr2194]

Thank you madam. It is very useful. 🙏

[@arthritisadventure]

Welcome 😊

[@hestergreen2031]

Thank you

[@sylsalmon4649]

Thank you.

[@chaisorrowscfs]

Thank you

[@arthritisadventure]

Welcome!

[@22304abc]

This is helpful. I used your guidance yesterday and walked 2.1 miles. Yeah. In this I notice that there is a slight break in your elbow as you use it. When I set the height I felt some stress in the shoulders (i walked with two poles). I'm going to check the settings again today and might shorten one hole and try walking again. I watched another PT out of England who demonstrated to shorten to the crease, as you did; and then his arm/elbow was straight as he walked. Is there a difference ? Should I have a straight arm? bent arm? Thanks.

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

I've got problems on both sides - an old back injury leading to a deformation in the lumbar spine, and a degree of arthritis in both hips. But you can adjust for that, without having to use two sticks: unfortunately, I nearly always use my stick/cane in the wrong hand; I'm right-side dominant, the bulk of the damage is on my right side - and yet, over the years since I sustained the accident which badly cracked my back, I've got used to holding the stick in the right hand and find it just about impossible to break the habit: especially since I broke my left wrist, which now locks occasionally..... Sheesh, what a mess I am!

[@phyllismonroe8603]

Thank you for this video and it's clear presentation. I wish I knew how to use a cane years ago when I first started to need assistance. Maybe I wouldn't have injured myself even more.

[@arthritisadventure]

Unfortunately many people are not told how to use one correctly 😔

[@chrisconnors7418]

This is good to know. There’s a cane in my near future because osteoarthritis is now setting into one hip; possible hip replacement needed in a few years too but I’m hoping I can avoid that with lots of cycling (did wonders for both arthritic knees and the doc cancelled the surgery on the worst knee when he saw how I was doing-that was 8 yrs ago and so far so good). Fingers crossed (they’re not arthritic yet :).

[@arthritisadventure]

Cycling can be helpful but adding some variety can be incredibly powerful

[@chrisconnors7418]

I have a mountain bike, a road bike, and a fat bike (for winter). Does that count as variety. :) I do cross country ski if my hip is doing well. Long walks are problematic though as is walking through the bush (which is part of my job unfortunately)

[@lomax117]

Like in normal walking, left arm and right leg are synchronized. And right arm/left leg. This also helps with balance.

[@arthritisadventure]

correct!

[@matthewjohnson6360]

I use a wooden walking stick, it's about 4 feet long. I need to use an AFO. Brain surgery 18 years ago.

[@1stinlastout165]

I've tried to use my Blackthorn Cain opposite leg I get sciatic pain but my knee sometimes gives out and I fall, but on the side that hurts it gives me the support that stops me from falling!

[@arthritisadventure]

it really comes down to what feels good to you and what your body likes

[@1stinlastout165]

@@arthritisadventure exactly I've lived with this pain for 7 years now and I found my way of helping me through some very long walks I take daily for fitness. Thank you for your reply.

[@barryw.gaugler3442]

I have a quad cane because I had a stroke. Right side. I have a problem getting left foot in front of Right foot. Any suggestions.

[@havfunwithit]

I was doing it wrong but it still took pressure off the bad leg. Had no problem doing it that way. This makes no sense. I’m waiting for a hip replacement, it’s bone on bone. How does holding the cane on my left hip help my right? I have no problem with balance. I’m sure she’s right and I’ll try it. But it makes no sense.

[@darinroodman2004]

Thanks for making this. I just started using a cane for a bad foot and had no idea what I was doing

[@arthritisadventure]

Glad you found it!

[@darinroodman2004]

@@arthritisadventure me too!

[@sheilawolk]

THIS IS GREAT BUT... I have 2 bad legs....left is usually weaker so I guess i should start with mew canewalking with cane on right?

[@jcastanza]

I can’t put any weight on my right leg and have to use the cane on my right side. Ive been doing that for over a year now. I’ve tried using it on the opposite (left) and I have to go SO slow and I feel like I’m going to fall the entire time. But on the same side as my bad leg (right) I feel balanced. So is this rule only applicable to people using the cane for a little assistance? Because I don’t feel like I could ever get used to using the cane on the opposite side, not without falling down for a while trying. Not to mention going SO slow. With the cane on the same side, I may have the Chester gait but I can at least walk at 90% normal speed, vs 10% using it on the opposite side. Trying to be explanatory as possible.

[@lauratubb4464]

My cane is exactly the same product and gives instant relief of right knee pain only when used on right side and is perfect. If I used it on left it would be horrible. I know. I tried

[@arthritisadventure]

It really comes down to what works best for you ❤️

[@ynyslochtyn]

@@arthritisadventure That's not really what you have said in the video.

[@raycope2086]

Recomment that the adjustable cane has an adjuster that goes through the cane and is supporting BOTH sides of the hole, and not just one. It is much more secure and is not rickety. In summary, make sure the adjustment can be seen protruding from BOTH sides of the cane.

[@nikkipage9132]

I am having terrible pain walkingbat all on my right leg. I have arthritis in the joint, cyst and bone on bone. I am not doingbwell with the cane. I feel like my legs will give out.

[@arthritisadventure]

I have some beginner strengthening routines that be be helpful to build up strength. Here’s an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4KZaZiPbtBohtU

[@yasamanrezvani8469]

What if both knees are bad?

[@arthritisadventure]

You can choose which hand you are most comfortable using it in

[@edbudzynski729]

I always thought that cane is used with bad leg. Maybe that was from Hollywood . Opposite side now. Thx.

[@arthritisadventure]

It’s a very common thought. You’re welcome!

[@ynyslochtyn]

For a lot of older people, it won’t be a case of having one good leg and one bad. Likely there will be hip and knee niggles with both. I think if you get along well with the stick on one side and not the other, then maybe your should go with what suits YOU as an individual.

[@arthritisadventure]

Correct- it really comes down to what works best for you.

[@hojo70]

Dr. House would disagree

[@AlexByrdfurnsculpt]

🤦these trolls... There are a few moments she holds it a little bit too far back, but generally correct.

[@danohanlon8316]

One or both-there are two basic reasons for using a cane: 1. Steadying; and 2. taking weight off the damaged joint. If the only reason you need the cane is for steadying, then, basically, you can walk all day long with it in the opposite hand. But if you need it for taking actual weight off a damaged joint or tendons then this is going to require actual upper body strength-and might even require “burying” the cane handle (“House”-like) in the hip joint. (For myself, I have determined via using a digital scale that this weight exchange is typically around 25-30 lbs - with each step - and when the pain is at its most severe, can be as much as seventy. (I’m a big man.) Such weight redistribution being exhausting on the hand, wrist, and arms, it requires, if not two canes, then frequent shifting from one hand to the next.

[@bartlevenson7851]

I have a bum left knee and a bad right elbow!

[@margaretsalmon9567]

Disagree totally, I use my cane as shown in this video, if I have the use the cane with the long piece to the front I have nothing to lean on and would fall over.

[@sandraolivares6640]

Totally agree with you 💯 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@geoffmitchell9706]

Great vid now I can use a cane correctly iwill be able to claim even more benefits from social security thank you.

[@user-xd8rm9mk1e]

Light weight folding walker

[@martylesnick2032]

I AM TRY TO GET MY HUSBAND TO USE IT PROPERLY. WISH ME LUCK

[@arthritisadventure]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@samkitty5894]

This is illogical. I would assume cane is used to compensate for the loss of mobility on the weak side...so it should be used on the weak side. This is why when we go up the stairs we go up with good leg first, bring up the weak leg second. Strong leg holds our weight while we bring up the weak leg. Going down in in reverse. Good leg does not need extra support, weak leg does.

[@user-fn6ed7ih5l]

Alas my apple phone makes you talk very quickly making it hard to understand what you’re saying! It’s probably me

[@TheManDownstairs13]

She sounds kind of winded. What's wrong with that floor?

[@arthritisadventure]

It's a carpet.

[@joline2730]

You DEFO use it on the side of the bad leg ‼️ The cane 'replaces' the leg ‼️

[@ynyslochtyn]

I am not sure anything is DEFO. I think it's a case of finding your way, trying things out. A good adjustable stick is a good idea if you can find one.

[@davidparker5345]

It is REALLY SCARY when a "professional" does not know something so basic as how to properly hold the handle of the cane!

[@davidparker5345]

TOTALLY DISAGREE!!!!!! WARNING!!!!!!!!! The handle is held with the longer part to the front! Holding it as you instructed is less stable and the wrist is forced to try and maintain a balanced position. If held correctly the cane, and the persons weight are in a direct line with the staff of the cane.

[@cynthiaayers7696]

Wrong.

[@davidparker5345]

@@cynthiaayers7696 You need a straight line of support from your arm to the floor. If you hold the cane the way this woman says to there is a very large bend at the wrist instead of a straight line. if A person needs quick support to keep from falling, they are completely depending upon their wrist for the support. That is why some metal canes have the off set handles to get the "line of support" Now that it has been explained maybe you will be able to understand why it is not held the way described by alyssa

[@davidparker5345]

@@cynthiaayers7696 lol

[@mirjahmlinen2698]

With this model long piece backwards. It is cane, not a crutch.

[@rcrai4705]

If the surface which you are walking on it would THEN make since to have the cane directly under the arm (as you state). Maybe it is only me who walks on uneven surfaces such as STEPS, in legal ground, etc???

[@utubewatcher3852]

I had a stroke now I walk with a cane

[@yvettemaldonado3725]

Thank you

[@arthritisadventure]

You're welcome