Walking Canes Part 1

One of the very common ailment which affects many elderly individuals is difficulty walking. Unsteady gait is a very common reason for falls in the elderly. In many cases, when elderly fall, he /she is never able to get up without assistance. Moreover, these falls carry a high morbidity and mortality. The majority of these falls are associated with fractures of the wrist, hip, or knee and in most cases, surgery is required.

It is estimated that at least 10% of elderly individuals need some type of ambulatory device to help walk safely. The majority of these individuals would be home bound or bed ridden if there were no other options available to assist them walk. There are many devices which can help individuals remain mobile. Some of the more common devices include use of wheel chairs, power chairs, walkers, and canes.

Canes have been around for decades and widely used as the initial choice to assist people with gait problems. However the use of cane is not an answer for everyone who has a gait problem. Since many individuals live in homes with narrow staircases, uneven pathways, narrow door entrances and slippery floors, the use of a cane must be evaluated. Further, many individuals who have gait problems also have other medical disorders like high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, poor vision, arthritis, and hearing defects.

The one way to prevent falls and improve gait is to use an ambulatory device. The selection of such devices is best made by a health care professional or a physical therapist.