Using a cane

[Guest guest]

ers, I'm wondering. Do you have to use a cane to walk?

And, if so, do you always use the cane? It's not just that I could trip. It's

that I don't know when my feet will make me trip so I should use the cane all

the time. In reality, people treat you less like a real person when they see the

cane. I know this sounds discouraging and I have to figure out whether to use it

for myself. Well, that's enough for now. I don't want to sound discouraged.

By you guys, I'm encouraged. But, by my environment, I am not. And I'm in the

lib. now so that's why I sound this way. I just want to get some information.

Dawn

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

Thank you for the response. It's good to hear you're in the same boat re:

running circles around your house but not so much in public (due to the foot

drop? I'm thinking). I will try to adjust my attitude about the cane. It is so

difficult. I notice guys looking at me all the time but if I pick up the cane

and start to walk with it, they immediately look away and get away quickly.

That hurts me so much. But, I guess I just have to understand I wouldn't want to

have those guys in my life anyway, It 's just nice to be looked at still

eventhough I am 37, I'm not dead yet.

Dawn

[Guest guest]

hmmm...my physical therapist told me it is supposed to be used on the

same side as the weakness...

Jimmy

[Guest guest]

When I with no CMT was recovering from a badly broken ankle, I was told to use

the cane on the opposite side to take some of the weight off the bad side.

The experts seem to agree.

_http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_caneuse_sha.htm_

(http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_caneuse_sha.htm)

_http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00181_

(http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00181)

My husband with CMT is weak in both legs so he uses it in his right hand

because he's right handed. I read on he should use his non-dominate

hand, but he scoffed like House. That said, he uses the compter mouse with his

left hand to have his right hand free for the keyboard. Rather than move the

mouse, I taught myself to use it in my left hand, also, and once I learned to do

it naturally, I love it.

It probably doesn't matter which hand you use for your cane if you're weak in

both legs, but try learning to use the mouse

in your non-dominate hand. It takes an effort to learn, but it really improves

your computer experience.

Elinor

[Guest guest]

Jimmy:

Your physical therpist has been watching too may movies.

By using the cane on your weak side the cane/crutch acts only as a

brace. It also makes your gait unbalanced. When walking, the arms

naturally swing in apposition to your legs. This shift of weight keeps

the center of gravity of the body more centered on the spine. If the

arms swing concert with the legs, the center of gravity would be

wobbling back and forth with each step -- not the best body mechanics

for balance.

Using the cane/crutch on the strong side and having it hit the ground

very, very slightly ahead of when the weak leg hits, your balance

point is centered on the spine as the weak leg and the cane/crutch

give you a wide stance. This wide stance allows the good leg to move

though without causing your balance to shift from side to side.

Using the cane/crutch on the strong side is much easier on your

shoulders. Both shoulders remain level and the cane/crutch carries

only half the weight of the body -- the weak side. If the cane/crutch

is used on the weak side, the weak side shoulder is flexed upward and

carries the entire weight of the body as you walk -- the weak side

directly supported and the strong side supported as your good leg

moves forward.

I guess you need to try it both ways to find out which offers the

better balance.

Not that I really have an opinion on the issue!

--Larry

[Guest guest]

Larry,

It sounds like you do have an opinion! Hey if it works, let people know! Thanks

for the information. I will try that too. I only use it once in a while myself.

But sometimes if I'm walking a lot, I mean for more than a couple of hours

hiking in the forest with my fam then I will use either a cane or just a branch

or walking stick from the forest.

Dawn

[Guest guest]

I have heard much discussion about cane use which is the right way. I'm a

medical assistant student and last quarter it being winter quarter we were

instructed in the use of mobility devices such as crutches, walkers, canes and

wheelchairs and we were taught to instruct the patient to use cane on the

opposite side of injuried leg. So if this brings the discussion to a resolution

so be it, if not I got my 2 cents.

Thank you

[Guest guest]

I use a hiking pole when I walk to and from work....I find it gives me

better balance when going up and down hills...when I had an umbrella

cane, it was too short when going down a steep hill..and the hiking

pole is adjustable...plus I think it looks cool....I like the walking

staff idea too...and who knows, if someone gives ya grief, you can whack em over

the head with it : )

Jimmy

[Guest guest]

I like the last part of that Jimmy!

Dawn

[Guest guest]

Andy,

Oh well....but a lot of people use a cane, I started out using one too. Then I

used four arm crutches and now I am in a wheelchair mosty becaue I have to take

care of a child and I have pelvic pain from the birth. Personally, I wish I was

just using a cane. You have a long way before having a severe case of CMT in my

opinion. Enjoy being independent by just having to use a cane.

Marin

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know where you can get a " trendy " cane...like a cute leopard one:)

Thanks!

Amy Hodge    

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

I have bought nice fashionable well made canes from:

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/

Also you can try:

http://djmaccanes.com/GalLeopard.htm

Andy

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy,

Try this place

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/ladies_womens_walking_canes.html pretty ones

" Colorful and Floral " , " Creative and Artistic " and " Tea Party " .

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Forget canes -- go directly to a forearm crutch and do not pass go.

Better support and you have two hands free when resting on up-tilted cuff.

Here is a great site where colorful forearm crutches are available. I

bought mine from them and the people there are great. I an sending the

page with full cuffs as these remain on your arm is some cretin on a

bus/train/tram doesn't immediately offer you a seat.

http://www.walkeasy.com

shop/SubCategory.asp?ProductType=Forearm+Crutches & SubCategory=Adult,+Full+Cuff

Now,in order to get a seat, fall into the youngest man closest to you

at the first lurch. Usually very effective.

Now if you really want a cane, they have very neat ones with the head

formed for the right or left hand. A nice product. They sent one to me

for donation to the local MD equipment locker.

http://www.walkeasy.com/shop/Category.asp?ProductType=Canes

Regards.

Larry

[Guest guest]

Larry,

Do you find by using this kind of cane you are putting less stress on your

wrist? My wrist and arms are starting to get tired with my cane, so maybe I will

try this and maybe it will give me more confidence when walking with my new

braces.

Jackie