When a cane is to be used as a mobility aid, we recommend that the purchaser be advised to have the cane properly sized by a health care professional. If the user does not have a therapist
and wishes to size it on their own, please see the following:
- Remove the rubber tip from the cane.
If it is tight...a squirt of WD-40 works wonders;
twist the tip off rather than pulling.
- It takes two people to "fit"
a cane. The cane user should be wearing their usual
walking shoes and standing as naturally upright as
possible. Their arms should hang at their side with
a normal bend at the elbow.
- The second person places the cane
with the handle on the ground on the side the person
will be using the cane. The shaft is marked where
it touches the middle crease of the user’s wrist.
The cane should then be cut using a sharp saw and
mitre box for an even cut. Reattach rubber tip.
If you can not measure the person.
A cane should be adjusted to the height
of the user. 98% of peoples cane measurements will be
within 1 inch of half their height. This is not the
recommended way to find someone's height only a rough
estimate. (Remember you can always make it shorter but
not longer)
If the person is 5'6" tall. Convert
height into inches, which comes out to 66 Inches. Then
divide it in half, which comes out to 33 inches. 33
Inches would be the estimated length (Note: round to
the nearest half)
To find the accurate cane height:
- Put on the usual walking shoes.
- Stand naturally upright as possible.
- Let the arms fall to the sides naturally
with a normal relaxed bend at the elbow.
- Using a tape measure or yard stick,
have someone else measure the distance from the wrist
joint (bottom crease at the wrist) down to the floor.
Please round up to the nearest half inch.
- NOTE: This is the standard measurement
procedure. Certain users may have specific conditions
that will require them to have the cane at a different
length.
To find the length of a cane from an existing cane.
Measure from the top of the cane where
the palm rests on the handle to the bottom of the rubber
tip. Please round up to the nearest half inch.
What is the weight bearing capacity for your canes?
- Our one piece crook handle canes will support weight up to 250 pounds.
- All two piece canes with metal band connectors are designed for style and
are not meant to be weight bearing canes. They should be used as walking aids.
- Our Hercules series offers canes that will support up to 500 pounds (listed
under Canes/Barriatric).
What hand should I use my cane in?
Canes are used in the hand that is on the opposite side of the injury.
What length should my cane be for proper use?
The proper way to measure a cane is as follows:
- Remove the rubber tip from the cane
- Turn the cane upside down
- On the side opposite the injury, place the cane against your hip.
- With a slight bend in your elbow, mark the cane where it meets your wrist
bone.
- Cut cane at that height and replace the tip.
- Patient should consult doctor or therapist for proper walking gait.a