Rehab Devices That Make Life Easier

Rehab Devices That Make Life Easier:

Canes

During Physical Therapy assessments, patients and their family members ask me for advice on which type of device they should use to walk safely.  In regards to canes, the most common are the straight cane and the quad cane.

STRAIGHT CANE

QUAD CANE

The main differences between these two types of canes are that the Straight Cane is used mainly for people with balance deficits, while the Quad Cane assists with balance deficits and lower extremity weakness and instability.  The straight cane should only be prescribed to a patient who has slight balance deficit and needs just a little extra support (wider base of support) when walking.  The straight cane is not a weight bearing device, so if your patient or family member seems to be pressing heavily down on the cane when walking in order to safely navigate their environment, the straight cane is not the appropriate device.  

The Quad Cane is a weight bearing device.  Many people recovering from stroke present with one-sided weakness and benefit from this type of cane in order to prevent buckling of their knee.  The only con is that all four legs of the quad cane must be placed on the floor/ground at the same time in order to be safe.  You should not walk and place the back two legs on the ground, followed by the front two legs of the Quad Cane.  It is sometimes more difficult to coordinate this action, and many times patients will trip over the Quad Cane.  

Take home message: A straight cane is only for people with slight balance issues while a Quad Cane assists with balance and weight bearing (supports the weak leg).