Did you know an improperly fit walking cane is as bad for you as an improperly fit pair of shoes?
First choice is to have a medical professional, doctor or nurse, measure you for your cane use. A physical therapist is usually knowlegeable about proper cane length also. Barring that, you could have another person measure you, or you could measure yourself (last choice!).
The support provided by a walking cane is dependent on three things -- the handle style, the weight it was made to bear, and the length of the cane in proportion to the person using it.
Handles are made of a variety of materials, thicknesses, and forms. 'Ergonomic' or 'anatomically-correct' means the handles are made to fit the hand in such a way as to not cause pain to the wrist, the palm, and/or fingers. They are often specifically made for left or right hand use. A person who has arthritis or pain on the right side, may use a cane on the left, and vice-versa. These handles are comfortable for most people to use when a cane is needed daily.
There are other styles of handles that are made to be supportive, but with varying degrees of personal comfort. The classic Crook, the Derby, the Fritz, the Mylord, the Escort, the Opera, the Palm Grip, the Knob, the Offset, and the Contours are a few examples. Some fit only left or right hand, some fit both.
Walking canes advertised as novelty items or collectors items are NOT usually made for support. If in doubt, please ask.
Walking canes also have weight limitations. A cane made to support 250 lbs should not be used by someone 251 lbs, or more. This voids the guarantee by improper use. There are canes made specifically for people over 250 lbs., over 300 lbs, and more.
A cane made of wood, aluminum and some plastics, can be trimmed shorter with a hacksaw. If you buy a cane that is too tall for you, lay it alongside a cane you have that is just right. Take their rubber tips off, and mark the new cane with a pencil where the old cane lines up at the tip end. Line up the handles to be perfectly even at the top, so the new cane will be cut to the same length as the older one. Saw off the extra, put on the rubber tip, and try it out.
Word of advice -- measure twice, cut once! Err on the side of too long, rather than too short, as one is definitely harder to fix than the other!
First cane? Stand normally, on a floor, wearing your usual walking shoes. Bend your elbow on the side you will use the cane, so your hand is at a comfortable height, pretending to hold a cane. This will put your hand at approximately the top of your hipbone.
Have a second person, with a metal measuring tape, measure straight up from the floor to your wrist. If you will alternate using left and right hands, measure both sides. If there is more than half-an-inch difference, you may want to consider getting a pair of left and right hand canes, cut to the specific different lengths. Otherwise, choose the longer length and have the cane trimmed for you.
THE 'LENGTH OF THE CANE' IS MEASURED FROM WHERE YOUR PALM RESTS ON THE HANDLE, STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, INCLUDING THE RUBBER TIP.
Make sure you know the store's policy on returning a cane that has been shortened. You can measure the proper length by yourself by standing next to a wall with a pencil in your fist, following all the previous suggestions, and make a tiny mark on the wall with the tip of the pencil coming out from your fist. Then measure straight up from the floor. Do it twice!
If you are over 6'1", you may need a longer than the average 36" cane. Canes for support are available for people up to 500 lbs., and can be up to 44" long. Look under "Big and Tall" and Bariatric categories when you search.
Note: two people who are 5'9" will not necessarily use walking canes of the same length: length of legs, of torso, and of arms all factor into it, along with posture and gait/support needs. These needs may change over time, also.
After safe support comes style -- enjoy shopping! Valery's Walking Cane Store
Orignal From: How To Size
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