Which side for a walking cane? - the YouTube advice is counter-intuitive to me.

[UTUSN]

I've used a cane since 2010 because of a fractured fibula/LEFT, only parttime, like when am out for about three hours. It has always seemed reasonable to use it on the weak side, stepping and caning down on the weak side so that the full weight is lessened on that ankle. I've seen a few YouTubes saying the cane should be carried on the opposite side of the weakness, and none validating my intuition about it. This video sort of explains the rationale for the opposite side, but doesn't seem that different from my rationale?

[rsdsharp]

1. I've used a cane off and on since 1994. The cane is carried in the strong side, and comes forward with the weak leg.

[UTUSN]

3. Yeah, that's what the experts say and what the video shows. But my weak side carry

comes down together with the weak side, same as video, but I feel the difference of more cane support on the weak side.

[Conjuay]

2. I have vascular issues in both legs

My cane is always on my left side.

[UTUSN]

4. Are both sides equally weak? If so, what determines your left?

Or rather, what determines your side regardless of same/difference?

[Srkdqltr]

5. Seems to me one uses it however it is good for them. I usually use it in my right

Because I trip over it if I use it in my left. I mostly use it on uneven ground and distance walking.

[UTUSN]

6. "however good for them" - hear hear!

There seems to be a consensus out there that there is one correct way.

[Srkdqltr]

8. I know. All the youngsters making the videos have a lot to learn.

[Donkees]

7. I think you have to factor in how the diabetes affects your walking, and carry the cane how it works best for you.

[electric_blue68]

9. I've so far rarely needed a cane (sprained ankles, temporary extra leg pain) luckily all resolved...

I'm sitting in our lobby so will watch the vid back upstairs... but...

I always used the cane on the injured/painful side. Taking some of the weight off the affected leg, as I step on to the pavement, etc, as you have said, UTUSN.

[UTUSN]

12. Thanks, I can't tell you how much a positive word is appreciated.

[electric_blue68]

13. Oh, You're Very Welcome! Glad to help....

I won't go into the 15 ish yrs (starting when was ?13) apart accidents details; that later on would lead to even more sprained ankles (same one).

Later one orthopedic doctor gave me a strengthening exercise. It helped, but over time my ankle started to stiffen some (my ? late 30's!). Eventually I went to a holistic sports doctor w leg & foot specialty, and he gave me a great exercise that solved that over a few months!

Idk if having high arches can lead to problems- but the thing in the end that strengthened my ankles over all was learning tai chi.
In fact I need to get back to it to help keep me as strong, and limber as possible at 72, and beyond!

Luckily, the second form I learned I made detailed drawings of the poses, and movements. I still have them. 👍

[UTUSN]

14. In this public place I'll leave to the imagination how I fractured the fibula,

but led to the ER where the ER doctor was unprofessionally judgmental and disappeared when the Xrays proved him wrong, without an apology of course. Was admitted in pain until an on call surgeon came to look at 10 PM, and he took the foot in both hands and applied leverage twisting to realign the bones and the pain disappeared.

So he set a surgery date, then followed a hassle for getting a clearance from my cardiologist who asked some off the wall questions and ended sending his assistant who gave the actual clearance. So the surgery happened, weeks in a cast and wheelchair, then the reassessment and the surgeon ashen in face saying it wasn't good and needed another operation by somebody better than him, so he sent me to a literal Nazi with a swastika pendant on a neck chain.

So more weeks repeat the whole drill but finally done with a metal insert and a permanent swelling around the ankle, but seems very solid since 2010 and when stepping a couple of steps on a ladder feels more secure than the good one.

*** I forget why am burdening you with this. Some amusing details lacking but am typing with one finger on the phone.

[electric_blue68]

16. Hey, No Problemo! 🙂 Good Graciousness, what a set of experiences!

Obviously, that ER doctor lacked people skills!!!
Thank goodness, that other doc came by!
A literal Nazi, geeeebbbzzz!!! 😮
Thank goodness it feels solid even after 15 yrs!

With my fractured ankle decades later, surgery, and a piece of metal. In the ER that night I said "I guess I'm not going to the Springsteen concert tomorrow night?". Crutches for a week or so till surgery was pretty terrifying, since most women don't have as much upper body strength as men. Though I have a very strong grip from decades of art making, and crafting. On rare occasion, I've had men be surprised at my grip in a handshake; not showing off - I'm just doing a hearty "glad to meet you" kind of hand shake.

Oh, yeah, I did a rehab place bc I lived alone, home w wheelchair, an aide for X hours/day, more at home PT for a few weeks, then quad cane, and then all good!
Glad some of it is a little fuzzy memory wise. What an awful experience!

May we all be safer physically, at least!! 👍

[UTUSN]

21. Hah! seems like we both have some amusing details! - yeah, a literal Nazi but our Dear USA seems

to welcome them - Poppy BUSH's family did some financing and other attachments with the Nazis and he had his own crew of them, and Wernher von Braun and others were wildly welcomed into our space things. As for my personal one, a memorable quote from him came at his discharging me, " (the metal piece) might break (eventually). It can stay there (removal not necessary) ."

[electric_blue68]

22. I'm not sure it was the worse thing re Wetner Von Braun, etc. I think I remember hearing about Poppy Bush, and Nazis....

"It might break"... Eeee. "Doesn't have to be removed.". Thank goodness!!!

TY, DJT for giving "permission" to particularly violence-prone Nazis, racists, sexists etc.
😬😬😬
Arrrggggggg!!

[Kali]

10. my instinct is same as yours

but the PT folks don't allow for instinct and tend to insist on their way. after a while doing it their way for a while it works ok. but I still hate not having my hands free and I tend to ditch the aids as fast as I can. instead I hunt for places to sit down.

[UTUSN]

11. Glad for any validation possible! - But since we're sharing without anybody listening,

my main use is also for sitting down places - psst, limited happy hour barst***s.

[Kali]

15. hee hee

cheers!

[electric_blue68]

23. Hey, enjoy!

[UTUSN]

24. Thanks! - but nobody's supposed to be listenting - my reputation!!!!!!!!

[electric_blue68]

25. Just between the few of us, then.

😉👍

[ProfessorGAC]

17. I've Heard The Same As You

And, I agree it's counterintuitive.
I understand the point they make, but it still feels wrong.
I've only used a cane a couple times. Both times it was for the final healing of a bad ankle sprain. (After the crutches)
It was used to keep weight OFF the sore leg, so it had to be on the weak foot, because at some point I had to put weight on the bad side to move the other leg.
It might depend on exactly why the cane is needed.

[UTUSN]

20. "keep weight OFF" - yup

[OldBaldy1701E]

18. Because I use one to support my back, I can use either side.

However, usually it is decided by which hand is hurting less.

[UTUSN]

19. "which hand" - yip, for me means whether the dominant is needed for other things.

ON EDIT: Wait whut, I'm contradicting myself, am always using it on the left/weak side, and my dominant is right. Now I've confused myself.

[applegrove]

26. I'm with you. I had a sore knee (I think it was my knee))

and used a cane on the same side as my injury. I just did it naturally. Someone told me I was doing it on the wrong side and I tried to use the cane on the opposite side from my injury but it did not help. So back I went.

[applegrove]

27. Makes sense. I guess i was not putting the cane down on the opposite side when my injured

Last edited Tue Sep 9, 2025, 01:53 AM - Edit history (1)

leg was hitting the ground too, so that is why it did not work for me.

[Easterncedar]

28. Interesting question

I have a reaction similar to yours. The advice in the video seems counterintuitive. I’ve needed a cane at different times for episodes of weakness on either side due to injury or flaring arthritis, and I’ve tended to use the cane on the weak side, although I always struggle with the idea that I am doing it wrong. I try it both ways, and then go with what feels best to me at the moment. If/when the pain becomes chronic, I am sure I will be more inclined to follow medical advice, but I would like to hear a discussion of why.

[Zackzzzz]

29. Before the Pain, I did power walking

so when things got bad, I continued to use
my sticks. The hand straps help me loosely
hold onto the sticks, so my hands don't cramp.

[mnhtnbb]

30. I have had 3 joint replacements

Both hips and a knee. Physical therapists instructed me after each surgery that once I progressed from the walker to a cane, to always hold the cane in the opposite hand of the side with the injured/recovering joint. Left knee replacement, cane in right hand, etc. The reason is that when you walk, the opposite hand swings forward with the leg taking the step. That way, if the left leg has the injury, the right hand holding the cane is helping to stabilize the left leg when weight is put on it.

Call your doctor's office for confirmation. Maybe even ask for a referral to Physical Therapy to help strengthen your leg.

[mnhtnbb]

31. To elaborate

It's about keeping yourself balanced.

Try walking naturally. The opposite arm swings forward with the leg taking the step, which keeps you balanced. Now try to walk with the same arm and leg swinging forward together. Terribly unnatural and difficult to stay balanced. That's why using the cane in the opposite hand to the injured leg allows you to walk as naturally as possible and still provide some support to the weak leg while remaining balanced.

[beemerphill]

32. It is USUALLY carried on the strong side.

The theory is that you can use the cane when the weak leg needs help. This method has worked for me and other amputees walking on prosthetics. I have seen people use it on the weak side to prop themselves up while walking. This is rare.
Experiment with both ways. Whatever helps you walk the best is the route to go.
Good Luck