A walking cane can be a temporary or permanent solution.You may need a cane for a short period of time after an injury or accident, or it may be your constant companion if you suffer from a chronic disease.Either way, determining the correct height of your walking cane is crucial because it leads to appropriate balance and stability, which allows you greater confidence in your mobility and enhanced quality of life.Due to personal preferences, determining the height is not always an exact science, so use the following information only as a guideline.
Step 1: You can use your height to estimate.
If you don't have a tape measure and you're ordering a cane online, you can use your height as a general guide.A person who is between 76 and 79 inches tall should order a 38 inch cane, while a person between 72 and 75 inches should get a 37 inch one.If you are under the suggested height range, the length of the cane should drop one inch for every three inches.A person who is 64 to 67 inches tall should buy a 35-inch cane.Many canes are height adjusted, but some are not.
Step 2: If you're an average height, get a 36-inch cane.
Most canes are manufactured or adjusted to 36 inches in length because many people fall within the height range.Unless they specify a different length, some cane manufacturers automatically send 36-inch canes to online customers.Walking with a cane that is too long or short can cause more pain in your neck, elbow, and shoulder.
Step 3: You can borrow a cane from someone else.
If a friend or family member needs a cane to help recover from an accident or injury, and if they are the same height as you, then ask them if you can borrow or buy it.If they were measured correctly, their cane might be a good fit for you.If you want to correlate your height to the length of a cane, you need to factor in the height of your shoes.
Step 4: Measure using a measuring tape.
Measure the distance between your hand and the ground while wearing shoes to determine the cane length.The crease in your wrist should be where the top of your cane should line up.The length of your cane should be determined by the number of inches between your wrist and floor.The elbow should bend at a comfortable angle with the cane in hand.If you're using the cane for balance instead of weight support, it's okay to bend your elbow a little more.
Step 5: Measure differently if you're hunched over.
If you have a condition that makes it hard for you to stand up straight, you should measure yourself differently.You'll probably need a shorter cane in this case.As you walk with shoes on, measure the distance between the floor and your wrist.If need be, get a friend to help.You might lean to one side if your cane is too short.
Step 6: Get professional help.
If you can't figure it out yourself, then your best bet is to have your doctor or physical therapist help you.Try to get a prescription for a cane from your doctor.You can ask a sales associate at a medical supply store to help you find the right cane for you.The most appropriate material for your cane, as well as the handle shape and type of grip, can be recommended by your doctor or sales associate.Normally the hand you hold the cane with is on the opposite side of the injury, but sometimes it's the same side.
Step 7: Try different lengths of cane.
Although measuring the distance from your wrist to the floor is the "gold standard" of determining cane length, you may prefer a slightly different height based on a number of factors.If you can't bend your elbow very much, you might need a shorter cane.Try a few different lengths of canes while at the medical supply store or your physician's office before determining the perfect size for your particular condition.Depending on function and personal preference, choose a walking cane.
Step 8: Think about what your cane is for.
Many people who carry a walking cane use it for balance, as opposed to needing it to support the majority of their body weight.The cane's length doesn't need to be as precise if you're using it for balance.There are different types of canes.Some have more than one tip.The canes with four tips are more difficult to use.If you're obese, some walking canes aren't designed to support all of your weight.If you need more support, you should consider crutches or a wheelchair.
Step 9: The grip that works for you.
Canes have different grips.You can get a cane with a foam handle grip with or without a cuff that fits around your arm.It is easier to hold onto a cane with a large handle.Try to hold different types of cane handles.
Step 10: Don't forget to leave a tip.
The height of the cane is affected by the rubber or plastic tips on the end.Take into account the size of the tip when measuring the cane.The cane's height will decrease when the tips wear down, so be sure to replace worn out tips.The rubber tips on the ends of canes grip the floor like tread on tires.Make sure your cane has a good tip.You can replace the tip at a medical supply store.Make sure the rubber tip is supple and the tread is in good shape when buying a cane.