Canes
Ultimate Guide To Buying a Cane
A cane is a mobility aid that helps give the user stability while walking by improving your balance. Canes are the most popular assistive devices in the market that help in compensating for disability or injury. The market is full of many different types of canes (walking sticks) and finding the right one to meet your walking needs may seem like a challenge. For this reason we created this guide to help you find the perfect cane.
Choosing the right cane
Every cane that we offer at CSA Medical Supply comes with different features, and in order to choose the right cane for you or your loved one you need to identify what features you are looking for in a cane.
Grip – The shape, design and material of the cane defines the level of grip offered. If you are looking for a more comfortable grip that reduces strain on your entire arm, a contour grip is your ideal option. Offset grips are also very popular as they help to distribute the users weight down the length of the cane shaft. Canes that have gel, contoured and padded hand grips provide a more secure hold. It is important regardless of the grip you choose, you go for a cane that will offer you the most comfort.
Handle – A wrong choice of cane handle can exert unwanted stress on your wrist and hand. Avoid canes that come with too lengthy or too short shaft because they will worsen the situation. The level of comfort will be determined by the shape of the handle. It is important you make your choice wisely.
Tip – Cane tips help in adding stability and balance and since your cane is an everyday mobility aid, it tends to wear and tear more often. The tips can be made of plastic or rubber. However, there are canes that have no tips. These are ideal only for light use. You can go for tripod cane tip if you are looking for something that can offer you more stability.
Height – Buying a cane with a wrong height may lead to balance problems. When buying your cane, pick one that has a height that matches the distance from your wrist to the floor. This is because too short a cane shaft may force you to hunch over causing harm to your back and it may also propel your center of balance. On the other hand, a cane with a lengthy shaft may cause strain to your wrist making your forearm carry the weight the cane is supposed to bear.
Benefits of a Cane
Canes offer many benefits for the user. The primary use of a cane is to provide stability particularly if you are disabled or recovering from a leg, ankle or foot injury. Canes provide support at the same time leaving one hand free. Moreover, a cane helps to offer independence and privacy since it enables the user to move around with out the help of a wheelchair or caretaker.
Identifying The Right Cane For You
The market is flooded with different types of canes which come with different functionalities and it may take you lots of time to figure the right cane that can meet your balancing and walking needs. Following are the different types of canes that are available in the market that may help you understand their use and identify the right one for your needs.
Bariatric canes
They come with strong frames that make them suitable to be used by heavy individuals or for long term use. They are also known as heavy duty canes since they can offer aid to users up to 500 pounds. You can find them in quad styles with 4 tips or the traditional one tip cane.
Folding canes
The cane is a considerable mobility aid for everyday use. Their ability to be fold up easily makes them fun and functional for traveling. Folding canes can be neatly stored in a bag, purse, or your car.
Seat canes
Canes with seats come with the benefit of allowing you to sit, if need be. They are available in different materials, shapes and styles giving you variety of options to select a model that is more portable, comfortable or stable for you.
Quad Canes
These canes are a great option for individuals that need more balance and support. Their four legs give the cane a wider base for added stability compared to the traditional one tip cane.
Fashion Canes
Fashion canes are for the user who is looking to add a little elegance and style to there cane. Fashion canes come in a wide range of colors, designs and materials and your choice will depend upon your individual style.