Keeping the Body Strong While Using a Cane or Walker

Mistake Number One (Walkers)

• Needing to “aggressively push” the walker. • Bend forward to keep up with the walker.• Exaggerating the extension of the arms, thus mimicking the act

of “mowing the lawn”.• Physical challenges; proper posture, developing back issues, and

experiencing muscle soreness in both the legs, arms and hands.• Good posture consists of:

Looking forward.Shoulders slightly back and relaxed.Gently tighten your abdominals.Chin parallel to the ground.Back straight, not arched forward or backward.Soft knees, not locking the knees.

PRACTICE!

Mowing the Lawn

Why is good posture important?

Mistake Number Two (Walkers)

• Hurried pace. • The walker is designed to give you support and

stability while you walk. • Rushing without proper form can actually cause falls.

By not maintaining proper posture or foot placement balance is affected.

Mistakes (Canes)

•Holding the cane on the wrong side.•Slump to one side.•Leaning over.•Too far out in front or behind.

Walk Properly (Walkers)• Do not push your wheeled walker too far in front of you. • Make sure your back legs remain even with your toes. • Refrain from leaning forward or over your walker, and

maintain good posture while walking. Leave the mowing for the landscapers!

Walk Properly (Walkers)

• Make sure that the walker is adjusted for your height by a professional. To check for a good fit:Place your hands on the grips. Your elbows should

bend at a comfortable angle of about 15 degrees.Stand inside the walker and relax your arms at

your sides. The top of your walker should line up with the crease on the inside of your wrist.

Stand up tall and straight positioning yourself in the middle of your wheeled walker. Place your hands on the side grips of the wheeled walker for support…

Walk Properly (Walkers)• Follow these steps when walking:

Bring the walker slightly forward check that the back legs of your wheeled walker are even with your toes.

Grasp the grips firmly with your hands while you slightly push the walker in a forward direction.

Step your weaker foot or leg forward and into the middle part of the walker, using your hands for support (have a nice firm grip to achieve stability).

Step forward using your stronger leg, and keep the weight off your injured leg. Allow your arms to support most of the weight while you shift your legs to move the wheeled walker.

When you feel yourself leaning too far forward or notice an almost extension of the arms. Stop and re-position your body, begin the walk again in a more relaxed pace.

Walk Properly (Canes)

Walk Properly (Canes)• Check the length. To select the proper length for a cane, stand

up straight with your shoes on and arms at your sides. • The top of the cane should reach the crease on the under side

of your wrist. If the cane is a proper fit, your elbow will be flexed 15-20 degrees when you hold the cane while standing.

Walk Properly (Canes)

• Cane length is usually about one half the cane user's height, in inches, wearing shoes. Use this as a rule of thumb.• If your cane is too small, you'll need to

bend over in order to reach it. If your cane is too big, you'll need to lean over onto your injured side in order to use it. Neither option is ideal. A perfectly fitted cane will keep you upright while providing support.

Walk Properly (Canes)

• Hold the cane using the hand that's on the same side as your good leg. • It sounds counterintuitive, but it's true. If your left leg is hurt,

you should be holding the cane in your right hand. If your right leg is hurt, hold the cane in your left hand.• Start walking. When you step forward on your bad leg, move

the cane forward at the same time and put your weight on them together, allowing the cane to absorb more strain than the leg. Don't use the cane to step with your good leg. As you become accustomed to the cane, it will ideally feel like a natural extension of yourself.

Cane Use

LET’S PRACTICE!