Except for those of us who use it to take a lot of the weight off the particular limb. I dont use a cane to steady me, I use it to partially replace my right leg.
oddly enough my PT taught me to use it that way.
My partner usually uses one of these whenever she’s walking.
She’s being assessed for a hip replacement later this week, so hopefully she won’t need a stick after that…
I’ve seen quite a few people in the last year or so walking with canes that don’t need them. How do I know they don’t need them, you ask? They are literally dragging the cane behind them and the front part of the rubber piece is filed down at an angle, making it obvious that the cane never bears any weight and is simply used as a weapon or something and is regularly dragged behind them against the cement.
I use a cane for the same reason as you but I use it in the opposite hand. Works well for me. shrugs I did try it on the same side and it just didn’t feel right and every guide I’ve seen says to use opposite hand.
I have seen mentioned that House uses same hand. 
I occasionally use a cane to compensate for leg pain, which can occur in either leg. No matter which side the pain is on, I always have the cane in my right hand, because the slight lack of smoothness and balance from helping my right leg with my right arm is much better than the moderate loss of support from trying to place the cane correctly with my left arm.
How about walking sticks for hiking? Aren’t they popular in Germany? Why not here in the US?
Did they really drag the canes after them or did they perhaps use them as nordic walking poles like in the animation on this page?
That’s how hiking staffs/walking sticks are used, adds the upper body strength to assist the legs over rough or steep terrain. A cane is usually used to compensate for an injured or weak leg and stays mostly in an upright orientation. Someone who needs to use a cane would not be able to “stride out” like in the animation.
The might have been Steampunkers, failing to take care of their accessories? Someone ought to teach them better.
He might just be a baseball fan.
I think this is a big part of it. I know of several people who had successful knee surgeries or knee replacements, who walk just fine afterwards.
I have a cane from Canemasters. An excellent cane and a great weapon to boot.
I used a cane for a few months when I was 25. I was waiting for back surgery and the sciatica in my left leg was so bad that my leg couldn’t bear full weight. I continued to use it after my surgery, until my therapist told me I didn’t need it anymore. It helped a lot and I was never embarrassed to be seen out in public with it.
as long as we’re talking 'bout using canes, can we talk about their history, too?
Victorian gentlemen carried canes at all times*. Why ?
And when did the custom die out?
*(at least in the movies – where else would I get my education 
)
As far as I am given to understand, the walking stick was a sign of prestige, a mark of a true gentleman. Especially a well cared for stick. ETA: I think the custom was in place before the Victorian times though. It seems to me that a historical type site (which I visited some time back) that let you dress the various classes in their proper garments gave the upper class gentleman a stick. I believe it would be Colonial times, but maybe somewhat later.
Aye, it was the Colonial Williamsburg site, the “Dressing The Part” interactive feature found here.
Several years ago I sprained my ankle badly and used a cane for a while. It’s a simple wooden cane, with a rubber tip and the usual curved handle at the top. It belonged to my great grandfather, whom died when my mother was a little girl. She remembers when he lived with her family before he passed, and used the cane because he was blind for the last two years. She’d be delegated to lead him outside to the outhouse, and recalls hearing the cane go “tap tap tap” along the walk.
I never go anyplace that’s both formal and funky enough for the full-on look. I’m just wondering if I could work parts of it into a stylish, current wardrobe without looking like I’m in costume.
And I do like a nice vest.
I love walking sticks and canes and wish they would make a comeback.
Hanging out with a nonagenarian relative, I noticed man canes. However, almost all of them were just standard adjustable stainless steel same as the walkers.
I have a friend who has some of the best victorian steam punkish vest that he wears instead off the one that matches his 3 piece suits … and a cream silk cravat with stickpin instead of a boring old tie. I really wish I had a picture of him in it, looks great. My favorite one is a red brocade one, some chinese brocade with a smallish patterning. How about that?