Canes can help redistribute weight from a poor or painful lower extremity to improve balance. Canes can easily support up to 15% to 20% of a patient’s body weight and can improve functionality and confidence. There are several cane designs on the market that have specific features for different target users. Canes are available primarily in three different forms. They are regular canes, offset canes, and quad canes.
What is a Standard Cane?
A standard cane, also called a straight cane, is often made from light materials like wood or aluminum. It's great for people who just need a little help balancing and don't need to lean on it too much. Some wooden canes can't change height, but aluminum or steel ones can be adjusted. A standard cane has one point that touches the ground, which helps the person stay steady while walking. These canes are best for people who need help with balance, rather than those who need to put a lot of weight on it.
What is an Offset Cane?
An offset cane also has one point that touches the ground. It is helpful for people who need more support, like those with pain in their hips or knees. This type of cane lets people lean on it more safely because the weight goes directly down the cane. However, some people might use it the wrong way by holding the handle towards the front of their body, which will not be useful.
What is a Quad Cane?
If someone needs even more support than an offset cane but doesn't want to use a walker, a quad cane is a good choice. A quad cane has four points that touch the ground, so all four tips need to be on the floor at the same time when using it. They can be straight or have the offset design, but most quad canes are the offset type. These canes are really helpful for people who need to put a lot of weight on them, like someone recovering from a stroke, because they give extra support.
References
Ricci, M., Notari, M., & Piseri, F. (2020). A comparison of mobility assistive devices for elderly and patients with lower limb injury: Narrative review. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341463954_A_comparison_of_mobility_assistive_devices_for_eld