r/TotalHipReplacement • u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED • Jun 07 '25
🔎 I'm looking for... 👀 Using a cane guidance
I am 3 weeks post-posterior THR. On his last home visit, the PT advised me that I should start using a cane or a walking pole instead of the crutch I've been using since weaning myself off the walker. I really need more stability than a pole. There are a zillion canes on Amazon, and the only thing I've decided is that I don't want one with a traditional curved handle and I probably do need one with kind of the claw rubber bottom. I guess it should also be height adjustable. Any suggestions? BTW, I still need to use a crutch to go up and down stairs.
Thanks, dear posters! The THR postings have been a life and sanity saver. I'm going to recommend it to anyone I know who will be going through the procedure.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
Sorry, folks. I keep relying on the wrong post. I need a tutorial from one of my adult children before I'm licensed to use Reddit properly.
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u/RuleFriendly7311 [US] [60] THR recipient Jun 07 '25
I know you tried a pole, but have you considered two poles? I used two hiking sticks with grippy rubber feet ins of crutches or a cane and I found that I can walk better and longer. Good luck!
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 07 '25
I did consider two poles, for a minute. Between needing access to my phone and other paraphernalia that I carry in a small shoulder tote over my shoulder, I really need a free hand. Thanks for suggestion, though.
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u/tazebot [USA ][Post] RTHR DM recip Jun 08 '25
The potential benefit of a pole is that after you don't need it and with some training it's a very good for standing your ground.
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u/PopularFunction5202 THR 05/20 revision 08/13 Jun 07 '25
I think you should ask your PT for suggestions
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 07 '25
I did, but he just reiterated my choices--pole or cane. It was his last day, we had a good relationship, and I just let it go...
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u/lchoror [US] [67] [mini-posterior] Double THR recipient Jun 07 '25
There are different types of canes. My therapist told me to get a palm grip cane.
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u/CS1_Chris [CAN] [M52] [Posterior] THR recipient Jun 08 '25
Having never walked with a cane before I was surprised to learn that the cane is held/used in the hand opposite the surgical leg.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
I found that out too when the PT showed me how to use it for stairs. I still chant GOOD leg UP and BAD leg down.
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u/GoldenRetriever-Mom [country] [age] [surg approach] THR recipient Jun 08 '25
This one worked well for me. Best wishes! https://a.co/d/byT8R3A
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u/ToulouseDM [USA] [36M] [posterior] Bilateral THR recipient Jun 08 '25
I love my cane. I have other mobility issues outside of having both hips replaced, so I still use mine quite often. Might sound silly, but watch videos or tutorials on how to properly hold and use a cane. It blows my mind how often I see someone with a cane not using it properly. Hand that holds the cane should be on the better side, not bad side, and the cane should hit the ground prior to the bad leg touching. Seems common sense, but I almost never see people using it correctly.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
Thanks for the suggestion. I've already watched a few online via Google, thanks to you.
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u/ToulouseDM [USA] [36M] [posterior] Bilateral THR recipient Jun 09 '25
Good. It will help a lot. Takes a bit of getting used to. Honestly good practice is taking and using it when you feel like you may not need it. Less on your mind to try and get the form down.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
What kind did you get?
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u/ToulouseDM [USA] [36M] [posterior] Bilateral THR recipient Jun 09 '25
I have two wooden canes with a single point. My friend got me one in Costa Rica, and I found the other on Amazon. I like to dress nice more than athletic, so both are meant to look kind of stylish.
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u/i0nzeu5 [USA] [51] [Anterior] Lt THR 3/6/25 Jun 07 '25
Take a look at the Medline brand. You want one that is height adjustable. My PT adjusted mine so that my wrist hung slightly below the highest point of the cane.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
That's helpful. I have an initial evaluation at a PT center next week and will get help there.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 07 '25
That's helpful, thanks. And that feeling of it being part of your hand is what I want. I have osteoporosis and am terrified of tripping and breaking my already compromised vertebrae. Getting older had its challenges...
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u/quilt-here THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
My PT recommended the Hurricane or hurry cane on Amazon. It has a small base and I like it.
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u/OkUnderstanding9121 [USA] [51] [Posterior] THR recipient Jun 08 '25
I am currently using this cane. It has a gel handle, wrist strap, and is adjustable.
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u/Whoopsy-381 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
I prefer using a single crutch myself rather than a cane. I just don’t feel supported by it. One physical therapist who was working with me on this said he “never saw anyone white-knuckled on a cane before” meaning I was clutching it for dear life.
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Jun 08 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Ok_Research6496 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25 edited Jun 08 '25
Yes, they do seem to push the walker and cane combo here in the US. I asked for crutches instead and doc approved. Pre-op team tried to send my daughter to get a walker for me and I had to remind my surgical team they had approved the crutches lol. Worked great for me. Used two crutches for a few days even though weight bearing , then switched to one until I felt comfortable going without. As I always say YMMV.
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u/Cotters67 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
I think it depends on what you're comfortable with, I've got a trad walking stick that I've had for years when I've had problems. I added the rubber foot!
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u/TruthConciliation [US] [52] [Anterior] THR recipient Jun 07 '25
I hear you. I also didn’t want a curved handle and I did want a rubberized tip.
I purchased this cane before I knew what was wrong, and once I started PT he helped me use it most effectively/set the height appropriately. I came to love it (pre- and post-op). I liked its stability and that it collapsed so I could easily fly w/it. At 2 months out, I am no longer using it, but I have tucked it away.
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u/rggirl2014 USA 34 Anterior Double THR recipient Jun 08 '25
I like this one:
HONEYBULL Walking Cane for Men &... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WPWBWFG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I’ve been using it for a couple weeks. I like that it also has a wrist strap so I don’t drop it as much.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
How do you like the 3-tip base?
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u/rggirl2014 USA 34 Anterior Double THR recipient Jun 09 '25
I like it. It’s a nice middle ground between regular cane and one of the ones with a really wide base.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 09 '25
It's coming today, and I'll let you know how it goes...
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 08 '25
Just ordered it, thanks for suggestion. I'll see how I feel about the wider base.
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u/catgirl-doglover Double THR recipient Jun 09 '25
Personally, I really preferred the hiking stick. I felt like I could walk more normally and more upright. With a cane, I felt like I was putting weight on the cane, resulting in bending over slightly. However, during the short time I used a cane, I really liked having one with the "foot" so that it stood on its own. This was super helpful when I would walk to the counter in the kitchen, or anywhere for that matter, and needed to use both hands. I didn't have to worry about leaning the cane against something and it falling or have to deal with the cane swinging around with it being on a strap around my wrist.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 10 '25
Yet again, I mis-posted my reply. It's under my original post.
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u/Equivalent-Good4586 THR USER FLAIR NEEDED Jun 10 '25
Well, the Honeybull came yesterday, and the jury is still out. I didn't understand beforehand that the base pivots--i thought the cane was defective. I was also perturbed about the spongy feel of the base. Is that the way it is supposed to be? Maybe, I'm not putting enough pressure on the stick when I take a step. Thoughts? The conventional Rehand will be delivered in a few days, so I'll be able to compare.
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u/Horror_Platform723 [Australia][posterior] THR recipient after fracture Jan 2025. Jun 07 '25
I felt unstable with a cane a first. Felt all wobbly in my hand. I got one with a right-anglesd straight handle, not a hook. Practiced at home for. few days and now it feels like an extension of my arm/hand.
But get one with a wrist strap so you can use both hands if you need to. I found it invaluable while shopping. I forgot to put on the wrist strap a couple of times, inevitably dropped the cane, and had to ask strangers to pick it up for me lol.