Here you will get to know about what are the pros and cons of using a cane.
Those pieces of information will help you to choose the best suitable cane for yourself. Below we will guide you.
There are various types of canes available on the market.
There are straight canes, offset canes, multi-legged canes, quad canes, and tripod canes.
Straight canes, offset canes, and multi-legged canes are mainly used.
Different canes come with specific advantages and disadvantages, and features.
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Straight Canes
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Offset Canes
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi Legged Canes
- How Do I Choose the Right Cane?
- Conclusion
See also: Best Walking Canes of 2022.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Straight Canes
Straight canes are simple single-point canes that are most suitable for people with little need to use the canes for upper weight-bearing.
These are not much expensive. These are generally made of aluminum & wood.
The aluminum cane has built-in adjustable options.
Advantages
- These canes are inexpensive.
- Used by most people.
- It is most suitable for people who have little need to use canes for upper weight-bearing.
- Lightweight.
Disadvantages
- These canes are not suitable for supporting much upper-weight bearing.
- Not too fashionable.
- Not suitable for every patient.
Straight canes are the most used canes because they are cheap & they are useful if you are healthy enough to support your upper body strength.
These canes can help patients who have mild sensory problems.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Offset Canes
Offset canes are designed specially to provide both stability & comfort.
If you are someone whose wrists hurt after using canes, offset canes will help to minimize that & provide comfort.
These canes help to provide better stability & can also support occasional weight-bearing.
Canes are usually made of aluminum & have an adjustable length.
Advantages
- Special design that provides comfort to the wrist & walking.
- Lightweight.
- Durable.
- Some offset canes provide gel grip for extra comfort.
- Adjustable cane length.
Disadvantages
These will not provide much weight-bearing support for patients who need support.
Offset canes are helpful for patients with mild to moderate painful gait problems and knee osteoarthritis.
These canes are stylish & have good advantages to keep our eyes on.
The canes also help with proper weight displacement & good balance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi Legged Canes
There are many multi-legged canes available in the market.
There are Quad canes, Tripod canes, and Seat canes.
All these canes come with multiple legs which ultimately provide better stability.
These canes can also bear more upper body weight & increase the base of support.
These canes help everyone a lot, especially very weak patients.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Quad Canes
These types of multiple-legged cane have four short legs attached and multiple advantages.
Quad canes are very useful for people with mobility & balance issues.
So, the elderly and disabled people can appreciate this cane.
Quad canes are usually made from aluminum.
The canes can stand straight on their own.
Advantages
- It has a more weight-bearing capacity.
- It Increases the base of support.
- It provides better stability.
- It can stand on its own.
- Provides adjustable height in case of most canes.
Disadvantages
- All legs of canes must touch the ground for providing stability unless an accident may occur.
- Bit heavier.
- You can’t move quickly.
These canes can be very helpful for weak patients with weak upper body strength.
Also, these canes can be very helpful for patients suffering from osteoarthritis & hemiplegia.
This is why these canes are widely used around the world.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Tripod Canes
This is another type of multiple-legged cane, It has three short legs attached, which is very suitable for providing better balance and stability.
Patients who are weak to support the upper body will appreciate using the tripod cane.
The canes can stand straight alone. Tripod canes come with the most practical design among all canes.
Advantages
- It can support the upper body.
- It Increases the support base which helps with stability.
- It provides better stability & balance.
- It can stand on its own.
- Provides adjustable height in case of most canes.
Disadvantages
- Bit heavier due to multiple legs.
- All legs of canes must touch the ground surface for better stability & balance.
- You can trip sometimes due to multiple legs.
Tripod cane as multi-legged cane has promising use for patients with weak upper body strength.
Patients with osteoarthritis & hemiplegia and other sicknesses will help by using a tripod cane.
How Do I Choose the Right Cane?
For choosing the right cane or most suitable cane for yourself, you need to keep an eye on different factors like comfort, sufficient support for body weight, stability, and balance.
You should also keep an eye on the perfect height of the cane for yourself per your height.
You should also read reviews about different canes and see if it supports your condition.
You should check out if the canes provide relief on joints and wrists, and if it helps with the prevention of accidents.
Conclusion:
Here we have learned above what are the pros and cons of using a cane.
The information will help you to choose the most suitable cane for your condition.
There are many canes from many companies as well.
So, you should review all the canes from different companies and find the cane that suits your taste perfectly.
We hope that you will get to know all advantages and disadvantages of different types of canes.
