Anybody here know about canes?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

(Of course someone does. Someone here knows everything)

A dear friend has developed a hip condition that has her using a cane to walk, and she’s depressed about the whole thing. It may not be a permanent thing, but maybe.

Right now she’s using a medical supply center cane, your basic utilitarian cane that looks like an aluminum tube with a rubber cap and the handle is a plain curve made of some dull gray plastic. IOW, pretty ugly. And since she has always dressed in feminine style, even somewhat girly, despite her age…well, I think that look can’t be improving her mood.

So, I was thinking maybe I could get her a ‘better’ cane, in the sense of prettier, more stylish, fun, light-hearted. Are there things I need to know other than just how it looks? Do canes come in sizes? Surely they must, a 6’2" guy can’t be using the same cane as my 5’6" friend. Or are they, I don’t know, maybe made in one tall size and then trimmed down and recapped for short people?

Obviously canes have different types of handles – are those just a style choice, or some people need different grips for different conditions?

How about, uh, quirky choices? My friend’s not a big drinker, but it might appeal to her to have one of those canes with a secret flask in the top, sort of a Gatsby-era flourish for her?

Or, heck, how about a secret dagger? Or would that be an illegal concealed weapon, though I assure you my 87 year old, barely 120 pound friend is NOT going to be out trawling for brawls in seedy taverns. Still, having a secret defense might make her feel better, she’s feeling down and old and decrepit right now.

Any info and suggestions?

2

You definitely want to get an adjustable-height cane - they’re very common. Some of the fancier, fashion canes may not be, so check. We got my mom a gorgeous purple patterned cane at a Chicagoland Osco drugstore where they had a large selection. (My mom refused to use it because she thought it made her look old.)

Nowadays I’d bet you can find very nice ones online.

3

The grip style is probably very much personal preference. The flat grips (vs curved) look more comfortable to me, but there may be little difference in practical terms.

4

Do an image search for “hand carved walking sticks”, and you will see a tremendous variety of styles.

In addition to the handles, the shaft of the cane can be made from a variety of materials. Ocatillo branches, tree roots, and other materials can produce pretty shapes.

There is at least one company that makes a cane out of rawhide from the skin of a bull’s penis. That might be a little TOO quirky for your friend’s tastes, but you might show it to her just for a laugh.

5

To start, none of those are worth a shit as a support cane.
Here’s one of the places I’ve bought from,

Stay away from those curved handled ones, usually called tourist handles, they don’t position your hand over the shaft in a way that’s good for support (IMHO).
Derbys and Fritzs are my forty years of cane owning preference. Really to start get an adjustable aluminum or carbon fiber if you’ve got the $$ for it.

6

A basic cane is a necessary first step. You have to see if a cane helps and the height that is best. Nowadays the sort of foot that is preferred is to be considered. After that, the Intertube is full of fancy canes. Some people have dress and informal canes.

Although trick canes are available, including antiques ones, the consideration here is weight. A sword is simply too heavy to carry around. A gun even more so. On the other hand, a pill box is probably worth having.

So much depends on the user.

7

I prefer the Fritz over the Derby as I find the fit is better(for me).
Wooden canes are cut to fit when you order. Measure from the wrist to the floor while standing straight. The supporting arm should be slightly bent in use.

ETA: Concealed items may not be legal in your state, make damn sure before you buy.

8

I used a cane for several years, for balance after a traumatic brain injury. I was a 68 year old woman when I got my first cane.

@crowmanyclouds suggested catalog seems like good-likely better than trying to shift through all the shoddy offerings on Amazon. Decent prices too on the kind of canes that would be best.

I like the handle style labeled ‘offset’. More comfortable over the long haul. I’d avoid folding canes-they end up being noisy and rattling to walk with as well as not quite as stable as one would like. Nova was one brand I found was good quality, reliable yet still made some fun colors and patterns. A decent starter cane, in a fun style can easily be found for between $20-$30. I have even seen perfectly adequate, pretty canes in the pharmacy area of Walmart-there was a polka dot one I saw there that I still wish I had bought.

It’s important to have a cane adjusted for your height. I’d go so far as to say it’s a good idea to have at least one PT visit to have the professional adjust it for your height and also spend one session with you teaching you the best, safest use of a cane. There is more to than meets the eye. Pro tip: after the PT figures out the best length for the cane and adjusts it, mark it with a permanent sharpie so it can be put back after the first child inevitably plays with it.

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My wife uses a stick with a hand-shaped handle like this one. They look weird but are surprisingly comfortable to use. They come in left and right-handed versions.

10

Classy Walking Canes says that the correct size for a cane meant for a 5’ 6" person is 33 inches. Check out their “walking canes” link.

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First, ignore appearance and concentrate on functionality; how much support does she need? Is this more of an “insurance policy” (to stabilize her in the occasional situation) or a necessary evil – without which navigation would be difficult?

She may, for example, prefer something more along the lines of a “forearm crutch”; a single crutch that wraps around the forearm instead of under the armpits. These provide a lot of RELIABLE support.

Once SHE knows how she will use the aid (which is how it should be considered) and is comfortable and confident in its use, she can then look into “dressing it up”.

When selecting an adjustable cane (for intial sizing), be sure the size can be reliably LOCKED; you don’t want it to collapse “under load”. Having this happen once is enough to lead to fear of relying on the aid…

You may also want to explore local groups of folks with similar issues – both for recommendations as well as emotional support: “You’re not alone”

12

I support this suggestion. The proper way to use a cane is not intuitive. I got the lesson during the PT after a knee replacement.

13

My stepfather had a really nice one made out of (I think) birdseye maple. His was hand carved, so that may be hard to find, but there are smooth finish models. If it’s not adjustable, you should get a measurement of her present orthopedic cane for a guide.

14

Once you get over having to use a cane you realize it can be a fashion statement. I got mine at a local drugstore. It appears to be gold plated (probably not) with a fish scale pattern cut into it so the silver shows through. It has a walnut grip. I have received many compliments from ladies! Couple of guys also! Here is a link to a similar one. Also, just Google for “royal cane” and be amazed.

https://www.desertcart.com.kw/products/137358115-perfect-traveling-collapsible-cane-lixiang-5-level-height-adjustable-walking-stick-with-oxidized-technology-carved-fish-scale-pattern-gold

15

When my Dad started needing a cane, I knew he would NEVER use one that made it looked like he needed help walking. I found some great wooden canes at flea markets and such. In the end, he refused to use any cane of any kind. It did get me started on collecting canes though.

I agree with the above- function is most important. Even the cheapest adjustable aluminum cane can be beautified though. A friend had one of my Mom’s canes wrapped in ermine remnants. Another was painted and bedazzled in a beach theme.

16

You may also be able to find a non-profit, locally, that will lend/give you a generic adjustable cane, just to get a feel, sizing, etc. I work with such a group, here, that provides items of this sort (wheel chairs, electric scooters, shower chairs, crutches, adult diapers, diabetic supplies, walkers, ostomy supplies, etc.) to folks.

Ideally, if you later purchase one, you coul dreturn the loaned/gifted one so someone else could benefit.

17

TIL that canes are used for walking :crazy_face:

18

Having had intermittent knee problems for fifty years now, I’ve acquired an assortment of canes in various styles. None of them are the “traditional” curved top. I almost bought a sword cane when I was in England in 1979, but correctly realized that I might have trouble getting it home.

Once when I was flying post-9/11 I had a TSA agent try to confiscate my shillelagh walking stick because it didn’t look like a proper cane to her. When I protested she called over a supervisor, who just gave her one of those “what kind of idiot are you?” looks before approving it as acceptable to bring on a plane.

19

Take your friend to her local grocery store and tell them that she left her cane on her cart. They will have a room with a bunch of canes standing int the corner and she can handle them to see how she likes the different handles.

I use a carbon fiber cane self defense cane that has a large hook and shark teeth grips on the shaft. It is black and adorned with gold fake tattoos (easily acquired at any dollar store and also come in silver…the color my cane wore last year).

20

^ Proving once again you are my hero. In that light, I offer this: