Look for feet with rubber tips to help keep a grip when walking on slick surfaces. These design elements can help redistribute body weight or reduce pressure on the joints of the hand and wrist without sacrificing stability.Ī quad cane’s feet aid stability, but only if they don’t slip. Users with a wrist brace might want to choose an offset cane or a model with a horizontal handle. It’s not unusual for someone who has balance challenges to have pain in their joints. Check to make sure the cane you choose can give you the support you need, and look at bariatric models if necessary. Most quad canes have a weight limit of 250 to 300 pounds. If you weigh more than the cane’s intended weight limit, it may not support you if you lose your balance. Quad canes are intended to redistribute the user’s weight, but canes are designed to support a certain amount of weight. Many canes can adjust from 28 inches to 38 inches, appropriate for users 5’0” to 6’5” tall. Adjustable canes can remove the guesswork and let you experiment and find the best length for your posture and gait. But these methods aren’t always foolproof, and a cane that’s too tall or too short can jeopardize your balance further. There are many tips for choosing the right cane height: seeing that your elbow is bent about 15° when you hold the cane, or measuring from the floor to the crease of your wrist. If you’re a southpaw, look for a cane that is specifically labeled as reversible or designed with lefties in mind. Canes are designed with features and angles to improve balance and may not do their job if used with the wrong hand. Canes are no exception, but this is not an area where you can afford to compromise. Many tools are designed for right-handed people since most people are right-handed. If you think all canes are ambidextrous, you’re probably not a lefty. However, you do sacrifice some stability for the smaller, more streamlined footprint. They can fit on most stairs and are less likely to get caught on furniture than a full-size quad cane. Quad-pod canes allow you to move more quickly. One of these might be a better choice for those who need extra support but not as much as that provided by a full-size quad cane.
![rite aid walking canes rite aid walking canes](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fd/5d/f9/fd5df9ea34d7d33901728c723bd89ea5.jpg)
If a loved one who needs a cane resists using one, remind them that it’s likely only a temporary measure until they regain some strength, and that further injury will only lengthen the time they need assistance.