A cane is one form of assistive device that provides balance and support to help mobility-impaired people avoid falls and potential injury. Whether you suffer from pain, injury or weakness in your back, knee, foot or leg, a cane offers more stability when you walk. The American Geriatrics Society reports that you can support up to 25 percent of her body weight with a cane, but in order for a cane to be useful, you need a proper fit.
Step 1
Put on the shoes you normally wear when you walk. If you wear different shoes, measure for a cane wearing the pair with the highest heels.
Step 2
Stand straight with your arms hanging relaxed at your sides. Look straight ahead, not down.
Step 3
Ask someone to use a tape measure or yardstick to measure the distance from the floor to the crease at your wrist. Be careful not to lean forward as you are being measured. According to the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, adjusting a cane to this height will cause the least strain and provide the most support.
Step 4
Hold a cane in the hand you will be using as another way to measure. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends holding a cane in the hand opposite to the affected leg that needs support. Point the cane ahead, bringing it down until it touches the floor. Bend your elbow slightly so that the angle between the vertical and the cane is about 30 degrees.
Step 5
Take an existing cane that already has been adjusted to the proper fit and measure it from top to bottom. Include the rubber tip in the measurement. You also can turn the cane upside-down with the handle resting on the floor. Stand with your arms dangling loosely at your sides. A cane is at the proper height if the tip is at the level of your wrist.
Step 6
Do the measurements a second time to be sure. Recheck the height each time you buy a new cane.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure or yardstick
Member Comments