Cane should offer you the best support

DEAR DOCTOR K: I recently had a right hip replacement. My doctor says I’m ready to use a cane. What’s the best way to use one?

DEAR READER: A cane will get you on your feet and allow you to be more active. It will also help you strengthen your body and give you some independence while your hip heals.

First, it’s important to make sure you select the right cane. There are several types: standard, offset and multi-leg (quad).

The standard cane has a curved handle or a T-shaped (functional grip) handle. A standard cane is good if you need help with balance but the cane doesn’t have to bear a lot of weight.

An offset cane (the upper part of the shaft bends outward) can bear more weight than a standard cane. The handle is usually flat, which makes it a good choice if your hands are weak.

Multi-leg canes have three or four short legs branching from the main shaft. They offer the most support.

Try different handle designs to see which is easiest to grip and feels most comfortable when you walk.

Make sure your cane is the right height. When you’re standing straight and holding your cane upright, your elbow should be flexed at a 15- to 30-degree angle.

I recall a patient of mine who, like you, had just undergone a hip replacement and had been given a cane. When I asked him how it was going, he said it worked pretty well at home, but that he couldn’t go out. I was puzzled about why using the cane should be harder outside the home than in the home. It turned out that he was simply embarrassed to be seen in public using a cane. “Canes are for old people,” he said.

So I taught him to use crutches. Choose whatever is best for your self-image. (For my hip replacement surgery, I used crutches.)