Patient/caregiver was educated on how to walk using an offset cane as follows:
- Offset cane is an assistive device used to provide more support during ambulation, in individuals with compromised balance.
- Compromised balance can be secondary to weakness, injury, surgery, involving bilateral lower extremities and weight bearing joints.
- If you are using the offset cane for improved balance or complementing a weaker lower extremity, hold the offset cane in hand on the opposite side of the weaker leg.
- Make sure you are moving the offset cane and weaker leg forward together, by taking step with the weaker leg and bringing the offset cane forward at the same time. Plan to advance your offset cane and weaker leg forward for a distance of about 1 to 1.5 feet. During this time, your weight is supported by the stronger lower extremity.
- Do not extend your offset cane too much ahead of your weaker leg that you might need to stretch to catch up. Also, do not leave the offset cane behind your weaker leg. Not having the offset cane and weaker leg at the same distance can compromise the balance and act of ambulation, thus contributing to fall risk and accidents.
- Also, make sure the injured or weaker leg and the offset cane are landing together and at the same distance. As the weaker lower limb needs to be complemented, your offset cane will do the job of complementing the weaker leg by taking some weight off of injured or weak leg, thus helping fall prevention.
- Make sure your offset cane tip is firm and squarely on the ground, before putting any little pressure on your offset cane, to steady yourself during ambulation.
- Then, bring your stronger leg forward and complete the step. While bringing the stronger leg forward, your weight is supported by the weaker leg complemented by the offset cane.
- Observe compliance with deliberate practice of these instructions during every day ambulatory activity, to gain control with use of the assistive device.
