![Une canne de marchand Châlus](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Une_canne_de_marchand_Ch%C3%A2lus.jpg)
An assistive cane is a
walking stick
A walking stick or walking cane is a device used primarily to aid walking, provide postural stability or support, or assist in maintaining a good posture. Some designs also serve as a fashion accessory, or are used for self-defense.
Walking sti ...
used as a
crutch or
mobility aid. A cane can help redistribute weight from a lower leg that is weak or painful, improve stability by increasing the base of support, and provide tactile information about the ground to improve balance. In the US, ten percent of adults older than 65 years use a cane, and 4.6 percent use walkers.
In contrast to crutches, canes are generally lighter, but, because they transfer the load through the user's unsupported wrist, are unable to offload equal loads from the legs.
Another type of crutch is the
walker, a frame held in front of the user and which the user leans on during movement. Walkers are more stable due to their increased area of ground contact, but are larger and less wieldy and, like canes, pass the full load through the user's wrists in most cases.
Parts of medical canes
![Quadcane](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Quadcane.jpg)
The basic cane has four parts. These parts vary depending on the design of the cane and the needs of the user.
* Handle. The handle of a cane is extremely important to the user. Many different styles exist, the most common traditional designs are the Tourist (or Crook) handle, the Fritz Handle and the Derby Handle. Ergonomically shaped handles have become increasingly common for canes intended for medical use, both increasing the comfort of the grip for the user (particularly important for users with disabilities which also affect their hands or wrists), and better transmitting the load from the user's hand and arm into the shaft.
* Collar. The collar of a cane may be only a decorative addition made for stylistic reasons, or may form the structural interface between shaft and handle.
* Shaft. The shaft of the cane transmits the load from the handle to the ferrule and may be constructed from
carbon fiber polymer, metal, composites, or traditional wood.
* Ferrule. The tip of a cane provides traction and added support when the cane is used at an angle. Many kinds of ferrules exist, but most common is a simple, ridged rubber stopper. Users can easily replace a ferrule with one that better suits their individual needs.
Modern canes may differ from the traditional fixed structure. For instance, a quad cane has a base attached to the shaft that provides increased stability by having four ferrules, and an adjustable cane may have two shaft segments telescoping one inside the other to allow adjustment for multiple sizes.
All cane users who need a walking cane for medical reasons should consult a medical professional before choosing the style that best suits them. It is particularly important that the cane is the proper height for the individual user.
Types of canes
*
White cane
A white cane is a device used by many people who are blind or visually impaired. A white cane primarily allows its user to scan their surroundings for obstacles or orientation marks, but is also helpful for onlookers in identifying the user as b ...
: specifically designed for assisting the
visually impaired
Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment†...
, these are longer and thinner and allow the user to "feel" the path ahead. They also alert others, such as motorists, that the user is blind and should be regarded with caution. In the UK, red banding on a white cane indicates a deaf-blind user.
*Folding cane: has several joints, generally linked by an internal elastic cord, enabling them to be folded into a shorter length when not in use.
*Forearm cane: a regular or offset cane with additional forearm support, enabling increased stability and load shifted from the wrist to the forearm.
*Quad cane: has four ferrules at the base, enabling them to stand freely, and offering a more firm base for standing.
*Tripod cane: opens in a
tripod fashion. Often available with an attached seat.
*Adjustable cane: features two or more shaft pieces for a telescoping effect that allows the user to lengthen or shorten their walking cane to fit to size. This feature can be combined with other variations.
*
Shillelagh: a cane made of
blackthorn wood, originating in Ireland and still a recognized symbol thereof.
Accessories
* The most common accessory is a hand strap, to prevent loss of the stick should the hand release its grip. These aides in our en threaded through a hole drilled into the stick rather than tied around.
* A clip-on frame or similar device can be used to hold a stick against the top of a table.
* In cold climates, a metallic
cleat may be added to the foot of the cane. This dramatically increases traction on ice. The device is usually designed so it can easily rotate to the side to prevent damage to indoor flooring.
* Different handles are available to better match the size of the user's hands and their medical needs.
* Rubber
ferrule
A ferrule (a corruption of Latin ' "small bracelet", under the influence of ' "iron") is any of a number of types of objects, generally used for fastening, joining, sealing, or reinforcement. They are often narrow circular rings made from me ...
s give extra traction on most surfaces.
Handedness
Canes are generally held in the hand that is opposite to the side of the injury or weakness. It allows the cane to be used for stability in a way that lets the user focus much of their weight away from their weaker side and onto the cane. This prevents the person's center of balance from swaying from side to side as they walk. It also allows for fluid movement that better matches walking, as the hand on the opposite side of the leg generally sways forward in normal human locomotion . Personal preference, or a need to hold the cane in the
dominant hand
In human biology, handedness is an individual's preferential use of one hand, known as the dominant hand, due to it being stronger, faster or more dextrous. The other hand, comparatively often the weaker, less dextrous or simply less subjecti ...
means some cane users choose to hold the cane on the same side as the affected leg.
See also
*
Assistive technology
Assistive technology (AT) is a term for assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and the elderly. Disabled people often have difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs) independently, or even with ...
References
External links
Selecting a Cane HandleGeriatric Assistive Devices SARA M. BRADLEY and CAMERON R. HERNANDEZ, American Family Physician, Volume 84, Number 4, August 15, 2011
YouTube film of walking stick manufacture
{{DEFAULTSORT:Assistive Cane
Mobility devices
Assistive technology
Walking sticks
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nl:Wandelstok