The golden rule when using a cane on stairs is to go up with the good, and down with the bad. I’m talking about the EZ- Step Stair Climbing Cane. Place your weight on your stronger leg and bring your cane and weaker leg up to meet the stronger leg. This rule applies no matter what leg injury you have. Place the cane in the opposite hand of the rail. Hi, I'm Doctor Jo, a Physical Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy. These moves may not be appropriate for your specific situation, so get approval and guidance from your own healthcare provider before beginning. Before anything else, recognize that there's one actual rule of walking with a cane: identify your good leg. //Step by Step: Using a Cane on Stairs. If there is not a hand rail, the … If handrails are available: you would place cane on opposite side of handrail. This cane reduces the range of motion required to flex the knee while ascending or descending stairs, curbs, sidewalks, swimming pools, automobiles or walk-in tubs. Then move the cane up onto the step/curb. When you click on links and ads to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. It also has an offset ergonomic handle and a non-skid surface. These cookies do not store any personal information. leg steps down . 4. Have fun. As you might imagine, it is similar to how you would use a cane on the stairs. To avoid injury, it is often safer (and more stable) to hold the handrail with one hand, which may mean switching the cane to your opposite hand. Canes can be used for stair climbing if proper instructions are followed (Up with the good leg, down with the affected one). weak . leg. Perform the moves in this content at your own risk. The . Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I like these … and also holds a BS in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Learn How to Use Your TENS Unit Like a Pro! Using a cane with a handrail. leg goes . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The following instructions were obtained from the MedlinePlus website (from the U. S> National Library Of Medicine). So, if your right leg is stronger, put your weight on that leg. For example, if your right leg is weak, use your strong left leg to take the first step. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the Amazon Associate Program. No content from this website is allowed to be re-posted, copied or quoted in any form without permission from the content’s author. Use the cane for balance and support. Cane Technique on Stairs. Remember, the general rule of thumb when going up or down stairs or steps of any kind – Up With The Good and Down With The Bad, How To Help An Elderly Person Up The Stairs. When my mom-in-law was alive, she had an awful time getting up and down stairs. All Rights Reserved. Knowing how to use a cane on stairs will help you and/or a senior loved one to safely age in place in a multi level home. last. Next, simultaneously move the affected (weaker) leg. How to go up the stairs with a cane after hip surgery. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Also, the cane should be in your opposite hand, and always follow the bad leg. When I used my dad’s cane while I was weak from getting chemo, I was much more balanced when I used the method I detailed above. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 4. Push on the crutches and place strong leg up onto the first step; Straighten the strong leg and lift the crutches and weaker leg up to the same step; With 1 crutch and a bannister on the right: Hold the right hand crutch on the outside of the left crutch so it creates a cross shape You might be using two … We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. To climb stairs, first, place your cane in the hand opposite your weaker or stiffer leg. If there is a handrail or very secure object that you can hold on to available, use it. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Disclaimer Sitemap. Repeat, stair step by stair step until you reach the bottom. Follow with . Step-by-Step Using a Cane on Stairs Social Icons 2. When, Why & How to Use a Walking Cane or Quad Cane. Use this information to … Hold the rail with one hand and the cane in the other. To climb down the stairs, put your cane on the step first, then your weaker leg and then, finally, your good leg, in order to support your … The Basics First. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ask Doctor Jo, LLC, its officers, employees, and contractors for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. Use the cane tip to locate the bottom step, keep the cane tip in contact with the first step, then walk forward and place your foot on the first step. Going up stairs. To climb the stairs, you'll want to hold the handrail with one hand and your cane with the other. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Take the first step with your strong leg, then bring the injured leg up to the same step. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Always be as safe as possible when using a cane to go up and down stairs, and use the railing if the stairs have one. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If at all possible, try to position yourself so the railing is on the same side as your weaker or injured side. strong . Bring your weaker leg down. Move the cane down to the next step below you, Then move the affected leg down to the step the cane is now balancing on, Last, step down with your stronger (unaffected) leg. Making Sure the Crutches Fit 1. Use the cane on your side opposite the handrail. State Medicaid Program Contact Information. But as you became more comfortable with it you may have started to forget some of the finer details on how to use it as safely as possible. To go up the stairs is almost as easy as it is to go down the stairs. Place the cane on the step below you. Going up the stairs. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. When you are climbing down stairs, you should use your cane first. Sign in to add this video to a playlist. We are here to share what we have been through and what we learned with you! The Best Way to Use a Cane on the Stairs – In this video Cindy, PT with Adaptive Equipment Corner demonstrates how to safely use a Cane on the Stairs. A quad cane, which has four tips, can provide a broader base of support but is often more awkward to use. How To Help Someone Up The Stairs With A Cane. All Rights Reserved. Home Health Videos How to Use a Cane on Stairs Correctly (Training, Use, and Safety) How to Use a Cane on Stairs Correctly (Training, Use, and Safety) by birtan published on August 12, 2020 + Playlist. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Chances are that a physical therapist taught you how to properly use your walking aid (whether it’s a cane or a walker or other device) at some point. These are additional or to be more specific – preliminary – guides as to getting used to both: the cane and using the cane when stairs are in front of you. Using the cane and rail for balance, slowly bring your good leg down to the same step. last. Use your free hand to hold onto it. To go down stairs/curbs: 1. Now continue the steps listed above until you reach the top of the stairs. … Robin and Esther are the duo behind SeniorSafetyAdvice.com! It got to be so bad that she couldn’t even join the family at her nephew’s home (where most family gatherings were held) because she simply could not get up the five steps necessary to get into his home, which kept her more isolated. When using a cane, you should always lead with your strongest (or “good”) leg. >>The cane and the weaker leg should move … Use of this site constitutes an agreement to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Ask Doctor Jo, LLC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this content. It’s base can be adjusted for right-handed or left-handed users. Be very certain that the entire base is on the stairs before you lean your weight on the cane! I hope you enjoy my video demos of stretches & exercises for common injuries and syndromes. After that, bring your cane back up to the same level as your legs. Step By Step Instructions On How To Use A Walking Cane On Stairs, Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. *Sometimes it is recommended to move the cane and weak leg simultaneously while descending stairs, but I think this can make you too unstable in some cases. Robin Schiltz, RDH is a Senior Home Safety Specialist, with a certification from Age Safe America . Place cane on lower step. Hence you need a cane to alleviate your lower back, reduce pressure, and to balance your body weight whenever you are riding stairs or walking around the hall. The golden rule when using a cane on stairs is to go up with the good, and down with the bad. Last, step down with your stronger (unaffected) leg. The cane is lightweight (weighs less than 2 pounds) and adjustable from 29” to 39”. For example, if your left leg is weak, use your strong right leg to step up first. Copyright © {2018} {SeniorSafetyAdvice.com} Powered by Customify. To go up the stairs: Push down on the cane. Put your weight on your stronger (unaffected) leg (example: if your left leg is … Help me make great new videos! Put your weight on your stronger (unaffected) leg (example: if your left leg is stronger, put your weight on that leg). You essentially double the number of stairs but cut the height of each step in half. Don’t use this content to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. Following are the steps on how to safely climb stairs with a cane and of course, how to go back down the stairs too. We both have years of experience in senior care – Esther as an Occupational Therapist and Robin as a Dental Hygienist and we have both cared for our elderly parents. As an Amazon Associate, this site earns a commission from qualifying purchases. SeniorSafetyAdvice is reader-supported. Step up with your stronger or uninjured leg. If your elderly loved one can stand and walk / take steps and they use a standard cane or quad cane then the best options for helping them up a stairway is…. Traversing the stairs with a cane requires a little bit of finesse to master. If only one of your legs is affected, step up with your unaffected leg first. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Holding onto the rail, advance one step forward with the “good” leg and then move your injured leg up to the same step. Using the instructions in this video, you may want to try using a cane or walker yourself before helping your family member. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 5. Then move the weaker leg down to the step the cane is now balancing on. Use it the same way. Climbing or descending stairs with a walking cane takes practice. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. In addition, she is a Registered Dental Hygienist, with an AAS in Dental Hygiene from Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado. When toes are touching the first riser, they can use their cane to explore the width of the staircase as well as the height and … Researchers have resembled that people who left regular walking or jogging after they start having lower back problems are more likely to become physically … Quad canes may help reduce falls in people who are recovering from strokes. © Copyright 2012-2021 Ask Doctor Jo, LLC. Includes electrode placements for a wide variety of injuries and ailments all over the body. The following slides show different types of grips and ways to make sure your cane fits you correctly. Use of this site constitutes an agreement to our. If anything is painful or doesn’t feel right, stop immediately and contact your healthcare provider. Do you know how to safely use stairs with a cane? weak . The idea behind this product is that it gives the user another, smaller platform to step up onto if they are unable to lift their leg high enough to get it up on a traditional riser / stair step. To come down stairs, put your cane on the step first, then your injured leg and then, finally, your good leg, which carries your body weight. Tips for Using a Cane or Crutches on Stairs . The Best Way to Use a Cane on the Stairs. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com is a helpful resource for caregivers and seniors who are aging in place and/or looking to make their home environment as safe and easy as possible. Stand on the stronger (unaffected) leg. When going up, put your stronger leg on the next step first, followed by the cane and then your weaker leg. Bring your stronger leg down next to your weaker leg. When going up the stairs, move your good leg first. Walking Cane by Vive https://amzn.to/2Luaq78. As with all of our videos, created content is intended for educational purposes only and are not considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Using a Cane >>If there is an injury or weakness on one side of the body, the cane should be held on the person’s stronger side to support the weaker leg. Then, place your weak leg there while placing your weight on the cane. When you’re ready to start climbing up the stairs, lift your strongest leg up the first step and push down on the cane to move your weaker leg to bring it up to the same level as your first leg. It also can double as a quad cane and can support up to 350 pounds. Be the first to know about surprises, contests, and more! You may need to know how to do this someday. Use the unaffected (or strongest) leg to step up onto the first stair step. In other words, the EZ-Step platform cuts the height of a stair riser in half, so the person only has to raise their leg about 3.5 inches per step, instead of the standard 7 inches. 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