Walking sticks are mobility aids that can help you to move around independently, providing essential support with each step. However, there are many different types of walking sticks, leaving some people a little confused as to which one is right for them. To help you out, we’ve put together a brief guide to the different types of walking sticks that are available to help people maintain their personal mobility. However, please note that every person’s needs are different. You should base your choice on your or your loved one’s particular needs and preferences. Most importantly, you should act upon advice from medical and care professionals where appropriate.
Aspects to consider when choosing a walking stick
When getting started on choosing from the many different types of walking sticks and canes, it can be difficult to know where to begin. To choose the right model for you, there are a few aspects of walking sticks that you should consider. These include:
- Designs
- Length
- Shapes
- Handles
Walking stick designs
Firstly, the design of a walking stick is very important in deciding which one is right for you. Though many walking sticks have a similar shape, their design can vary quite widely. For example, there are wooden walking sticks available with solid shafts which provide a simple and straightforward experience. However, there are several other designs available with different shafts for further convenience.
Some types of canes are height-adjustable, functioning with a telescopic mechanism. Adjustable walking sticks allow you to choose exactly the right height that is most comfortable and strain-free for you. In addition, there are also folding walking sticks that have folding shafts. These are ideal for people who are always on the go, as this design allows them to be easily and conveniently transported or packed away when needed.
Walking stick length
As a rule of thumb, a correctly sized walking stick should reach the height of a person’s wrist when they’re standing and the stick is placed on the ground. This puts the handle at a comfortable height for the hand and allows weight to be transferred to the stick without placing undue strain on the muscles or joints of the arm. However, personal preference always plays an important part in this. Some prefer to be able to lock their elbow and to keep a straight arm when their weight is directly over the stick, whilst others judge a correct fit to be when the hand is on top of the stick and the forearm is parallel to the ground.
A walking stick with a fixed length must therefore be chosen carefully. Although, particularly with wooden sticks, it is often possible to cut one to the required length (this can allow for the attachment of non-slip walking stick ferrules.)
Walking sticks made from metal are normally height-adjustable so that you can be sure of a comfortable fit. You can even alter the length to suit different conditions or activities. This is particularly true of lightweight, telescopic walking poles, which are designed for use on steep slopes and uneven ground, and which therefore allow for considerable adjustment.
Walking stick shapes
The most common design for a walking stick is to have a straight shaft that ends with a single, slip-resistant rubber ferrule. This design is simple and easy to store and pack away. However, for people who require greater stability and support, there are wide-base walking sticks that branch toward the bottom of the stick and have three or even four 'feet' that spread the weight and achieve better contact with the ground.
The nature of wide-base walking sticks makes them well-suited for people who have difficulty balancing. However, they have some disadvantages in that they may be heavier than conventional walking sticks. Their unusual shape may also make them more difficult to pack away - for example, on the back of a wheelchair or scooter.
Walking stick handles
Lastly, the final feature to consider when choosing from types of walking sticks is the handles. If you think of a walking stick, you'll probably imagine a traditional design with a shepherd's crook handle, but modern walking aids offer many other handle designs, too. The conventional crook is simple, elegant and easy to pack away or hang from a coat hook, but it is not ideal for people who have limited grip strength or who may need to place considerable weight on it.
The ergonomically designed Comfy Grip handle is designed to spread weight evenly across the whole hand and is ideal for people with reduced dexterity or grip strength. There are other comfortable and weight-distributing handles available, but they all work similarly by placing the weight on the palm and the ball of the thumb rather than on the wrist and fingers.
The Derby grip handle combines a shallower curve on one side of the shaft with a short, raised section on the other. The extra 'spur' provides support for the joint between the forefinger and thumb, so it prevents the hand from rotating forward. This makes it potentially easier for the user to transfer a greater amount of weight whilst still retaining much of the style of the traditional curved crook.
A range of walking sticks at Complete Care Shop
In our diverse selection of disability aids at Complete Care Shop, we stock many different types of walking sticks. Using the advice above, you can browse through the quality walking sticks we have on offer and choose the right one for you. If you need further advice, however, help is always available from us.
With qualified and friendly professionals on hand to help you, you can use our Expert Advice services for further assistance. For help in deciding which walking stick will best meet your specific needs, you can speak to one of our Occupational Therapists who can advise you in detail. For any other queries and support, don’t hesitate to contact us.
