Slide show: How to choose and use a cane

If your doctor recommends a cane to help you balance as you walk or to help you compensate for an injury or disability, you might be overwhelmed by your options. You have all sorts of choices when it comes to selecting a cane, including various colors and styles.

A cane with a good fit will help you prevent falls and make it easier to get around. A poorly fitted cane can be uncomfortable to use and increase your chance of falling.

So how do you choose? This slide show portrays different types of canes and ways to make sure your cane is the right fit for you. It also demonstrates how to use your cane. Use this information to help you narrow down your choices. Also seek advice from your doctor or a physical therapist.

Choose a grip that feels good in your hand. You might prefer a cane with a foam grip or a grip that's shaped to fit your hand. Choosing a grip is a matter of personal preference, though if you have difficulty using your fingers or your hand is injured, your doctor or a physical therapist may recommend a specialized type of grip for you.

Numbness or pain in your hand or fingers might signal that your cane's grip isn't a good fit for your hand. Try out various grips before you select one.

A pliable rubber tip on the end of your cane grips the ground much like the tread on car tires. The tip of your cane can help provide traction on most surfaces.

Make sure the rubber tip is supple and the tread isn't worn. Replace the tip if it looks worn, or at least every five years. You can buy replacement tips at a medical supply store.

Many canes are adjustable; some are not. Make sure your cane fits you properly before you buy it by making sure:

• Your elbow is at a comfortable angle. With your cane in your hand, the bend in your elbow should be about a 30-degree angle.
• Your wrist meets the top of the cane. With your arm hanging straight down at your side, the top of your cane should come up to the crease in your wrist.

A cane that's too tall will make you work harder to pick it up and move it. A cane that's too short may cause you to lean to one side, making you off-balance.

If you don't have an injury, but your doctor recommends you use a cane to provide stability as you walk, you may grip the cane in either hand — whichever feels most comfortable to you. Pick up and move your cane in unison with the opposite leg.

If you have an injury or disability affecting one of your legs, grip the cane in the hand opposite your affected leg. Move the cane in unison with your affected leg. Each time you step with your affected leg, the cane will move, too, giving you support.

Next, step forward with your unaffected leg. Repeat these steps, only moving your cane when you step with your affected leg.

Canes come in many different styles — such as this cane with a folding seat (top) and this collapsible cane (below). Choose a cane that fits your needs, but also one that fits you properly. Talk to your doctor, a physical therapist or a knowledgeable salesperson at a medical supply store about what's available and what might be best for you. Try out several canes before deciding on the right one.