Need advice about canes. Regular vs tri vs quad?

[Mamabug]

I have a cane, but I don't use it often. However, I've always said that, when I get to the point where I need one, I won't be one of those who is too proud to use it.

That being said, I'm not sure that I currently "need" it. But, I could likely benefit from it. I've had some recent conversations with my husband, and he is recommending that I just begin using regularly, when I leave the house. We both have noticed a decline, over the past couple of years, in my physical abilities, and a change, in the past 6 - 12 months in my gait.

I'm open to considering it. It might help. I might tire less quickly, and it would give me support.

My cane is a regular cane. A tri-cane or quad-cane provides more support, though, and I'm thinking about buying a different cane, or a base for it.

Any advice? Where is a good place, online, to shop for something like that? What do you prefer (tri or quad) and why?

It seems to me that a tri would provide better support on uneven ground because, like a stool, a 3-legged stool is always steady and a 4-legged stool can wobble. The same "mechanics" would apply to the base of a cane.

I have an 6-month appointment coming up with my MS Specialist this week. It seems like, in the past, she has tended to minimize my progression and chalk it up to just "aging". But, I'll see what she says this time. I might bring my cane along to the appointment. It's also the year for my once-every-five-year MRI. It will be interesting to find out the results of that.

[Seasha]

Hi Mamabug - I use a walker most of the time, but when we go places where it's a tight fit, I bring and use my cane in crowded restaurants holding onto my friend's or husband's arm. I used to use a regular cane but I found it kept falling over, so I switched to a tri base where it can stand alone.

I found that I had more security using the tri base while walking. I bought mine at a drug store and was not too expensive and well worth it!

Good luck with your next neuro appt!

[Jules A]

Would a PT consult be helpful? I have to wonder if canes are like crutches in that there are pointers on which type and how best to use them.

[Mamabug]

Hmmm. I just went through a 6 week (12 visit) PT regime this fall. I requested the referral from my doc. I didn't think about asking about a cane then; I wish I would have.

They didn't bring it up. The consult was mostly to build strength and balance. Didn't see much improvement.

[headrift]

I'd vote for a quad. Mine's a little unwieldy, but it stands up when I'm not using it. That's worth more than trying to find a way to keep it near at a restaurant or something. *shrug*

It might seem a little overkill, but if your walking is already going downhill, might as well invest.

[Mamabug]

Headrift -- are you responding to a regular cane vs quad cane? What about tri canes? Do they offer advantages similar to quad canes? I'm wondering if there is any reason to offer one over the other?

[brave]

Cane

Headrift -- are you responding to a regular cane vs quad cane? What about tri canes? Do they offer advantages similar to quad canes? I'm wondering if there is any reason to offer one over the other?

Hi Mamabug
I use power scooter but when going to PT , I see MSers being evaluated for cane to see which type of cane helps them better.


Also if you want to order it online, you may want consider visiting medical supply store, try and compare tri cane and quad cane before ordering it.

[headrift]

Headrift -- are you responding to a regular cane vs quad cane? What about tri canes? Do they offer advantages similar to quad canes? I'm wondering if there is any reason to offer one over the other?

That was regular cane and quad cane. Never used a tri cane -- they might be a good in-between.

[Mamabug]

Please help me to understand why a tri-cane would be an in-between, as compared to a regular cane or a quad-cane. It seems to me that a base of 3 would be steadier than a base of four, as in the analogy of a stool that I mentioned earlier.

[headrift]

Even in the stool analogy, I prefer a four-footed stool. Good to note that the three footed canes I've seen do not have regularly spaced feet. If there was a seat on them instead of a handle I'd pass on sitting on one. *shrug*

[Mamabug]

A big thank you to everyone for your input.

I called my physical therapy place on the phone. They recommended not getting a quad cane, because they are designed to be more helpful for those who "start and stop" when they walk and I am not at that point yet. The PT said that it would possibly create more problems, rather than help and could become a tripping hazard.

He recommended just getting a small tripod base that attaches to the base of my cane, either online or checking at a Walgreens or something.

[Seasha]

He recommended just getting a small tripod base that attaches to the base of my cane, either online or checking at a Walgreens or something.

This is exactly what I was talking about in my above post. Very happy with mine.

[pb909]

Good to see you checked with your PT. As I read thru this thread I was thinking that over my progression my PT guided me thru getting a cane, then forearm crutches, then a walker, to a wheelchair.

[hobbit]

forearm crutch

I use a forearm crutch, sometimes two. It allows me to balance and use my hands at the same time. Invaluable at grocery checkout!

I'm the person stopping people with a cane saying "try this". Amazon 2 for $35.

Peace,
Anna

[Mamabug]

Update

https://www.msworld.org/forum/showth...66#post1507266