11 May, 23

The Walking Stick For You

A Walking Stick (or Walking Cane) can be a huge help if you’re experiencing a decrease in strength, range of motion, joint stability, coordination or endurance. It can also reduce the stress on a painful joint or limb and help you be safer and more independent in your daily activities.

You’ll doubtless be aware that Walking Sticks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and designs. This guide will give you an overview of what’s available and hopefully help you identify the right kind of Walking Stick and accessories to match your needs.

Types of Walking Stick

Fixed Walking Stick

A fixed height Stick made from wood or metal (often a lightweight aluminium composite) which can only be adjusted by cutting it permanently to size.

Adjustable Walking Stick

A combination of parts (usually made of metal, wood or acrylic) which can be adjusted according to the users height. Usually this is done by pressing a button and sliding part of the Stick up or down to arrive at the required length. The button must then be fully engaged in a hole keeping the Stick fixed at a certain height.

Folding Walking Stick (or Foldable Walking Stick / Collapsible Walking Stick)

This comprises component parts enabling the folding (or collapsing) of the Stick for easy storage. Ideal for the infrequent user, a Folding Walking Stick may be prone to wear and tear more easily than a Fixed or Adjustable Walking Stick but it’s practicality makes it an extremely popular type.

Medical Walking Stick

These can be either fixed, adjustable or folding (collapsible) – the key feature is the handle which will be contoured or adjusted to suit the users hand grip comfortably (see The Fischer Handle below). The aim is to ease the pressure distribution on the palm to promote long term comfortable use.

Tripod Walking Stick

A Walking Stick with Tripod is a lightweight yet sturdy Walking Stick with three legs for greater support, stability and weight distribution. The Stick height is adjustable to suit a variety of needs. Four legged equivalent are also available, often known as Quad Canes.

Folding Walking Stick Seat

With an adjustable height a Walking Stick with Seat is a really practical option if you anticipate needing respite stops whilst out and about.

Types of Handles

The handle is one of the most stress-absorbing parts of a Walking Stick. It is prone to damage and sometimes in need of repair. Fortunately, they are pretty easy to replace and there’s enough variety for you to find the type which is comfortable for your needs.

The Crook Handle

The traditional hook shaped Crook handle is one of the most popular types and mostly found on fixed Wooden Walking Sticks. Well suited for long recreational walks.

The Derby Handle

Suitable for both fixed and folding Sticks the curved tail provides for easy gripping. Quite stylish looking too.

The Escort Handle

Similar to the Derby (although not as ubiquitous), the buttressed tail helps prevent grip slippage. Suited to fixed and folding Sticks.

The T-Bar Handle

Similar to the Derby and Escort but without the curvature, moulded or buttress elements.

The Fischer Handle

Ergonomic, orthopaedic and contoured, these handles can be ideal for arthritis or rheumatism sufferers with smaller hands. The biometrically shaped handle evenly distributes pressure over the hand. A good solution for those who experience reduced grip and there are many variations to suit most people’s needs. Often made of acrylic when fixed to a metal Stick they’re often referred to as an Acrylic Walking Stick.

The Grip Handle

Moulded with a gripped underside (similar to handles found on Crutches) this type is usually found on Tripods and Quad Canes due the need to lift the Stick higher.

Walking Stick Height

Stick height is critical. Too short and you could end up with bad posture, spinal and stability issues. Stooping could also lead to back pain. Too long and the Stick simply becomes and encumbrance and could lead to balance issues.

The ideal height is equivalent to the distance between the floor and your wrist bone (whilst you’re wearing your regular walking footwear and standing as upright as possible).

Adjustable Sticks will usually lengthen or shorten at 1 inch increments. Fixed Sticks like Wooden Sticks can be cut relatively easily. Ask a mobility shop or handyperson if they can help.

Have fun with your Stick!

There’s no end of colours, patterns, styles, novelty handles and ferrules for walking sticks. Maybe you’d like more than one for different trips or occasions? So shop around and have fun while you’re at it – just remember the basics and don’t forget – functionality first!

Walking Stick Accessories

Accessories can make a big difference to the use, comfort and look of your Walking Stick. Here’s a run through types of accessories on offer.

Walking Stick Straps

Looping around your wrist and attached the Stick you’ll reduce the risk of dropping or misplacing it.

Walking Stick Holders

These clips attached to the Stick so you can balance it on the edge of a table without having to hold it or lean against a table at risk of it sliding away.

Portable Mounted Walking Stick Holder for Mobility Scooter / Wheelchair

An adjustable bracket fixed to a Mobility Scooter or Wheelchair to transport a Walking Stick securely and have it to hand when required.

Walking Stick Ferrules (Walking Stick Rubber Ends)

These will prolong the life of your Stick and give you more stability. Easily replaced they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Retaining Clip

When a Stick is folded is can be unwealdy and difficult to handle. A retaining clip will keep it compact and easy to pack away.

How to Use a Walking Stick

Some might say it’s a pretty straightforward thing to use a Walking Stick but it’s worth pointing out a few things to focus the mind and avoid unnecessary risks, hazards or mishaps.

General safety

Around the home, clear away small rugs, cords, or anything else that could cause you to fall, trip or slip.

Go slow and be very careful around pets and small children.

Keep the Walking Stick Ferrules (rubber tips) on your Walking Stick clean and in good condition to help prevent slipping.

Avoid slick conditions, such as wet floors and snowy or icy driveways. Ice tipped Ferrules are also available to use outdoors in winter weather.

Don’t lean on your Walking Stick to help you stand up or sit down. Even if you still have one hand on your Walking Stick, put the other hand on the surface you are sitting on or the arm of your chair using that hand to guide you as you sit down, and to push with as you stand up.

If you’re unsteady on your feet, rest your Walking Stick securely nearby, so it doesn’t fall and you can reach it easily. And use both hands on the sitting surface to help you sit down or stand up.

When you go up stairs or a curb use your strong or uninjured leg to take the first step, then bring up your other leg and the Walking Cane to meet it. When you head down, step with your weak or injured leg first then bring your stronger leg and Walking Cane down to meet it.

Using a Walking Stick

If you’re using a Stick because one leg is weak or painful, hold it on the opposite side from the weak or painful leg i.e, if your right hip is sore, hold the Stick in your left hand.

If you are using the Walking Cane for balance and stability, hold it in the hand you use less. If you’re right-handed, you’ll probably want to hold the Walking Cane in your left hand to leave your right hand free for other things.

Take normal steps and move the Walking Stick as you would when normally swinging your arm forward. Move the cane at the same time as your opposite leg, just as though you were swinging your arm.

Set the Cane comfortably ahead of you, so it is even with the foot you are stepping with. Don’t lean too far forward to reach farther.

Step past the Walking Cane with your other foot and follow this pattern.

Be sure your Walking Cane fits you. The length of the Walking Cane should be the distance from the ground to your wrist bone (when you are wearing your normal footwear and assuming your normal posture)

Hopefully we’ve given you some pointers to think about what goes into choosing the right Walking Stick for your needs. There’s lots of options – have a browse through a listing of some of our favourites below.