So, wasn’t entirely sure where to put this, but had a question I was hoping I could get some light shed on.
I am, at this time, able to walk - I can get from point a to point b, sometimes without limping, though that’s getting harder.
Has anyone used a cane as a regular thing, and does it help at all with alleviating the symptoms of pain if used correctly, or only as a support when things are bad enough on one leg so that it is, bluntly, not bloody working right?
Basically, is it worth it as a form of supplementary support?
As an extra question - those hip/shoulder/hand/knee support wraps - anyone had any success using any of those as a daily use item?
I tried walking with a cane for a couple of days when my foot was really bad… it worked like a charm on that foot but my arm back and other foot started to complain… or I noticed the other pain more because my foot was hurting less…
It does help with people understanding your really in pain though… when they can see it suddenly it’s worse… (then when I stopped everyone was happy for me that I was feeling better… when actually I was feeling worse…)
I think if I could manage to walk with a foldable cane instead of needing the elbow crutch I would use it more… being able to switch walking with and without easily and not having to struggle with that thing on my bike…
The secret to a cane is two fold. properly fit and you use it on your strong side opposite of your gait. It takes some practice to do it right and one should really get advised by a PT. If you don’t use it properly it actually can cause some problems and shift “issues” to your good side as well as effect your balance (a worse problem) There are some good you tube videos out there as well.
Beware of a forearm crutch its a whole different animal and can really cause some back and shoulder issues. That should be prescribed only and generally is a bad idea for PsA patients as it move the whole arm mechanics straight up. The net result is it aggravates enthesitis and stretches the tendons involved with your triceps.
I find a cane useful, but as others have said, you want to make sure that it’s adjusted right for you, and you use it properly.
Something else about the cane, similar to what Cynthia said: it is an excellent signal to others that things aren’t OK with you. I find it very helpful in public venues where I might have a bit of a struggle. People are generally very kind to me when realize that I need a bit of extra time, or consideration, or assistance. My cane sends the signal.
Your wrist brace Cynthia: save it, that pain will come back. Many of us have a whole arsenal of “weapons” like braces and crutches etc.
I’ve used one when walking was very difficult. It says something about how far I’ve come that I’m sitting here trying to remember why I needed it and how I used it. But anyway, you know when you need that support I think.
Where things got a bit more complicated was when I needed a bit of extra security but ease of walking could change from minute to minute. They are awkward things to carry but that’s what I ended up doing most of the time.
Hey, I have a new aid! This is what I use when I know I won’t have to walk very far, but I might need to wait at some point (like a queue). Very handy! (And easier than unloading/loading my mobility scooter.)
Bit the bullet and got one. While I can still walk without, it’s actually, after the initial adjustment period, helpful to the pain, so that’s good. There’s part of me that’s terribly ashamed of walking around with it, as though it’s an admission of weakness, but logically I know how stupid that is. If it helps, I need to be doing it.
Seenie, I’ve been thinking about getting one of those sticks with stools. now that I literally live next door to the city centre shopping mall, the biggest problem I have are QUEUES. Standing in one spot for just a minute or two absolutely kills me - and we are in that strange position in society where people are deemed able to stand/walk or not able. Nothing inbetween. And so no seats for us in queues!
As for a walking stick, I had to get an extra long one as I’m tall, but had used one before PsA when I had done my back in. I find them very useful, but you have one less hand to carry things with!
Oh, you’re so right. Standing in a queue, like you say, for only two minutes is torture! (And I am ALWAYS behind the person who wants to pay for their week’s groceries with coins, an then goes rummaging through their purse to find the 25c piece which they knew they have. Or the person who buys (eeeeek) lottery tickets and then wins a bonus ticket! DELIVER MEEEE!!! And you’re right about the world sorting us into two categories: able bodied and paraplegic.
Queue Rage - do you get that? It starts with muttering but can escalate. Exploded in Charles de Gaulle airport but fortunately my french is not that reliable so I was probably yelling about my postillion being on fire or something, which it was come to think of it. Seems the french can handle a bit of emotion though, I love 'em! They agreed with everything I failed to say and gave us a refund on the flight we’d missed. It wouldn’t work in my local Tescos.
I use it sometimes when I have to lift my wrist for a while… I can prop it up with something without hurting my wrist