How to Use a Cane - On Floor and Stairs

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Registered physiotherapists show you safe and proper techniques for using a cane. See tips on cane use on the floor, and going up and down stairs.

Hi, my name is Adam Brown and I am a Physiotherapist with Therapia.

A cane can be an excellent way to take pressure off of an injured limb and help prevent a fall. Today we are going to cover the proper use of a cane on flat ground, and while climbing stairs.

The first thing to consider is that your cane is adjusted to the appropriate height.

The handle of your cane should line up with the crease between your hand and forearm.

FLAT GROUND

The cane is used in the opposite arm of the limb you want to take pressure off of ensuring a wide base of support for better balance.

The goal is to have a normal walking pattern, with the cane and injured limb always moving together.

STAIRS

When negotiating stairs, a common phrase taught to patients is “the good leg leads to heaven and the bad leg leads to hell”. This means that the good leg always goes first when climbing stairs and the injured leg always goes first when descending stairs.
As always, the cane and injured leg move together.

Going Up Stairs

Voice-Over: Start by putting the strong leg on the first stair. Step onto the strong leg and bring the cane and injured leg up to meet it. This cycle simply repeats until you reach the top!

Going Up Stairs Using a Railing

When there is a railing available you may wish to take advantage of it. To do this, simply grip teh cane with the opposite arm. The cane still moves with the injured limb and the railing can be used for additional support.

Going Down Stairs
Begin by standing on the strong leg and lowering the cane and injured limb to the stair. Once you have the cane firmly planted on the lower stair you can move the strong leg down to meet them.

This cycle repeats until you are down the stairs.

OTHER TIPS
· Always keep stairs and hallways in your home free from clutter.
· When you sit down, keep your cane within arm’s reach.
· Do your best to keep the floor clean and dry to ensure good traction.

Your Therapia physiotherapists will be happy to review these skills with you to ensure you are safe in your home while using your cane.
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This is the clearest to the point video I have seen on this...the tip about adjusting the cane to the bend line of the wrist is great...that is so easy to remember. Thank you for this, you helped lots of people.

Apollo_Blaze
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Having just torm off my left knees Patella Tendon I was in a immobilizer brace. I have 22 steep stairs to climb to my condo. I purchased the Hurry Cane, same one my 100 year old Mother has but had no idea of how to properly use it. Your video was very helpful and professional. Thank You.
Kevin Weaver U.S.Army Veteran

kevinweaver
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thanks. i just had to get a cane for chronic pain in my leg and didn’t know how to go up stairs with it.

ag-dnvl
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"the good leg leads to heaven, and the bad leg leads to hell" is kind of dramatic, so i see why it works lol. i just remember "up with the good, down with the bad"

marcozamudio
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Also make sure the edges of your throw rugs aren't curling up presents a tripping hazard 🤔

PuffKitty
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I have moderately severe intermittent claudication in my left leg as an occasional side effect of severe lumbar spinal stenosis. Going up and down the 14 stairs in my home can be quite painful for my left leg and also exacerbates the pain I experience in my legs afterwards. I use my cane to prevent increasing my pain levels overall and to alleviate the intense pain that I experience during the climb and descent of my stairs.

I do not take each stair-step with both feet resting on the steps as illustrated in this video. It alleviates pain moving that way with serious injuries of course, but it takes too long for me to go up and down the stairs throughout the day that way. It feels clumsy and unecessary to me also.

I ascend and descend the stairs normally, one step at a time. It takes a little practice until this feels natural and without risk of tripping over the cane. I went very slowly at first but within a few days I was easily able to use my stairs walking in a normal gait with my cane.

My pain relief is impressive from using a cane in this manner when tackling stairs. I do not need my cane when walking on a flat surface.

earthangel
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Best video I've seen, thank for making it easy & clear to understand!

jangaskill
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Thanks for the tips, Two years ago I had a total knee replacement on my right knee but I still have problems for using stairs and kneeling.

jorgeescareno
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Getting ready for knee surgery. Very helpful video!

beckywinfrey
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That was an easy understandable explanation.

ministerfrancaasare
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A great video thanks so much having knee replacement surgery I. June

vickiyounkin
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Thank you. Your video was very helpful.

nathanbrownmolotov
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Thank you this was so helpful as a cane newbie.

sophiejdalston
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Thankyou super accurate and fast video and tips.

aerinchee
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Up with the good down with the bad 😊 yey I'm ready for NCLEX. Thank you!

Brjann
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Good advice but the background noise is distracting.

yxnone
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Sir i am wearing air casts on both legs right one fractured and healed left diabetic neuropathy.can you pl do ademo video how to use aircasts on both legs

umasekar
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Hi nice demonstration 🙏🏻. May I ask if there's a good reason behind the rule good leg first—ascending, and bad leg first—descending? Just curious 😄

quemms
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When u go outside its not going be clean. Thxs for sharing video

thekidks
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I have a carpet in my stairs will that be ok

rtb