Using a cane or a crutch when you have an injury can be very confusing especially when characters on TV shows don’t even use them right! So let me show you how to walk with a cane correctly. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes very easy and natural. When we walk normally, our opposite arm swings forward with our opposite leg. When using a cane, you want the same technique so you don’t risk injuring something else while you are recovering.

The most important part to start with is to make sure your cane is the right height. Most canes have a pin you can push in to change the height. On your upper leg there is a bone that sticks out called your greater trochanter. It is just below your hip. This is where you want the top of the cane. You should have a slight bend in your elbow about 20 degrees.  If the cane is too high, you might irritate your shoulder, and if it is too low, you might lean over too much.

Now for the walking part. The cane should be in the opposite hand of the injured side.  Yes, House, MD did it wrong! The cane should always move with the injured side. If the injured side goes forward, the cane goes forward for support. Again, this is how our bodies naturally move; so don’t think about it too much. Just move how you would normally move. The cane should be for balance and safety, and if you feel like you are pushing really hard on it, or if you can’t walk smoothly, then you probably are not ready for a cane yet.

You may also like

Smart Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy's popularity is rising, and there's a lot of research that shows red light and infrared light therapy can be beneficial for many different things. In this video, I take a look at the Luxxe Flex smart red light therapy panel.
Get Better Sleep
Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? You’re not alone! But here’s some good news: short strengthening exercises in the evening (like the ones in this video) can help improve sleep quality so you wake up refreshed.
Squat Safely
We squat every day from sitting down in a chair to getting out of bed, or even sitting safely on the toilet, but squats can be a painful task when something hurts, or our muscles are weak. Practicing squats in a reverse order can help strengthen the muscles and work on doing them correctly and safely.
Exercises at Work
Working at a desk or gaming all day can cause people to get stiff and tight in their upper body and lower body. This can also cause forward posture. These quick desk exercises will help reset muscles and keep the blood circulating in your body.
breathing and relaxation
This real-time deep breathing & relaxation routine features easy exercises that can help relax & relieve stress and anxiety throughout the body.
Relieve Chronic Pain
Relieving Chronic Pain through simple stretches and exercises starts with finding the right movements for your body. In this video, I'll show you gentle stretches and exercises to help relieve chronic pain without causing a flare-up.
Driver Stretches
If you're a truck driver or a delivery driver, sitting all day can put a lot of stress on your body, especially your back, bottom, legs, and hips. These stretches and exercises are a great way to help keep your body moving for all kinds of drivers and anyone who sits a lot throughout the day.
Therapeutic Yoga
This real-time therapeutic yoga routine features easy stretches that can help relax & relieve stress and anxiety throughout the body. It can also help decrease tightness in the muscles and improve overall flexibility.
Tension Headache Relief
Tension headaches can cause a lot of pain. Stress is a common cause of tension headaches. Relaxing the muscles around the neck and shoulder area can help decrease the pain caused by tension headaches.

Page 6 of 9