Greetings — Dr. Shawn, Your PT Guy, here. If your leg is yelling at you (or whisper-yelling), a cane is a great teammate — but only if you hold it the right way. Hold it wrong, and the cane becomes more of a drama queen than a helper.
Which Hand Do I Put It In?
To answer this question accurately, you first need to ask yourself another question: "what am I using the cane for?" There are two possible answers: balance or pain relief.
If you're simply using the cane to stay more stable — for your balance' sake, just use your dominant hand. Right-handed? Use your right hand. If you're a lefty? Use your left. Or, if you have arthritis in your right hand, but you're dominant in your right hand, then it's fine to use your left hand. Simple.
But what if you've got some pain you're trying to relieve? What if I have gout? Now what?
Well, it's simple here too, but not necessarily the same. When you have pain on one side of your body, you're going to put it in the opposite hand.
The One Rule That Actually Works
Cane = good hand. Put the cane in the hand opposite your painful or weaker leg. So if your left knee is cranky, hold the cane in your right hand. Why? Because that cane-and-good-leg team shares the load and gives you a steady triangle of support.
How to Walk with a Cane (Step-by-Step)
- Stand tall. Cane at side, handle at wrist height (we’ll cover adjustments in another post).
- Move the cane forward.
- Move the weak leg forward to the cane (it gets support).
- Move the strong leg forward past the cane.
Repeat — cane, weak leg, strong leg. When you get good, cane + weak leg can move together.
Common Mistakes (and how to avoid looking like a wobbly flamingo)
- Placing the cane too close to the midline → trip hazard. Keep it slightly outside the foot line.
- Using the cane on the same side as the weak leg → reduces support.
Quick Safety Tips
- Keep a slight bend in your elbow — not locked, not superhero-straight.
- Wear good shoes. No croc-surfing.
- If vision is poor or both legs weak, consider a walker or see your PT.
If you want step-by-step practice and more safety tricks, Watch my free 3 Secrets to a Fall Proof Life webinar — I’ll show practical ways to keep you upright (and not singing "I Fell" as a ballad).
Stay steady out there. — Dr. Shawn, Your PT Guy
Equipment I recommend:
FAQs
- Q: Which hand should I use with a cane?
A: Hold your cane in the hand opposite your weaker leg (cane in right hand if left leg hurts). - Q: Why opposite side?
A: The cane and the good leg work together to support balance and reduce load on the weak leg. - Q: What if both legs hurt?
A: Use whichever feels most stable—consider a walker or ask a PT for a quad cane recommendation. - Q: Should I change hands on stairs?
A: On stairs, hold the rail with one hand and the cane in the other; get help if you feel unsafe.