Where can I buy a really awesome and functional cane to help me recover from my injury?

October 13, 2009 1:12 PM

Where can I buy a really awesome and functional cane to help me recover from my injury?

I recently broke my leg and ankle, got surgery to put a couple of screws in the leg, and am looking at a lengthy recovery, a month or two of which will require a cane to transition from crutches to walking on my own again.

I'm 28, in good physical shape, like to get around on my own, and want a sweet functional non-grandma cane to sport for the month or two that I'm going to need it. Any suggestions? I won't need the cane for another 10 weeks, so I'm OK ordering something online. Oh, I'm 5'6" which might make a difference.

posted by kryptonik to health & fitness (13 comments total)

I use a cane on occasion.

If you have access to PT services, I'd ask a Physical Therapist for recommendations. My legs and feet felt worlds better when one evaluated my gait and walking issues (I have spasticity), and recommended the appropriate cane. Which I then just picked up at Rite-Aid.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:17 PM on October 13

Brazos Walking Sticks has some wonderful unique canes, in addition to the more ordinary sort. I've gotten many compliments on my twisted aromatic cedar cane. Since I'm shorter than you, I had to have the bottom trimmed, but that was easy to do. It's tremendously better-looking than any of the canes at the pharmacy.
posted by Ery at 1:19 PM on October 13 [2 favorites]

You might try a local flea market to find something unique and handcrafted.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 1:29 PM on October 13

you could get a sword cane! or maybe one that stores a beverage of choice, or one that allows for some kind of smuggling.
posted by cubby at 1:36 PM on October 13

Gregory House flame cane obviously! Wow you can actually buy one here.
posted by kitkatcathy at 1:47 PM on October 13

Bear in mind that you will be carrying this around all day. A friend who had some ongoing ankle problems used a cane for a while and she advised buying as lightweight a cane as you can, because it will get heavy after a bit.

I'd also recommend checking ebay - they have some nice ones sometimes.
posted by dilettante at 1:48 PM on October 13

Just came here to recommend the House cane as well. My boyfriend bought one of those when he was recovering from a hip injury and it's very cool!
posted by peacheater at 1:51 PM on October 13

Ask your doctor. With an injury like that, you may be limited in what you're supposed to use. When I was recovering from a break, I had to use a quad cane because I was deemed too unstable to walk on my own. It's not sexy, but I have no lingering ill effects from my injury, and that was the goal.
posted by decathecting at 2:05 PM on October 13

Again, check with your doctor on this, but you could try a walking pole. Looks more like a ski pole and is used more for fitness, but I've seen some of the hipster senior contingent using them.
posted by Madamina at 3:10 PM on October 13

I would recommend, if you're recovering, a snazzy folding cane. That's because you'll reach a point where you're fine on your own feet for a few hours, leave the house without any support, and then cry for your mama when you realise you've reached the end of your physical rope, miles from a walking stick.
posted by DarlingBri at 3:13 PM on October 13

LEKI Wanderfreund Antishock Trekking Pole

A new guy just transferred to my office. He's had several back surgeries and needs the aid of a good cane. He loves his Antishock Trekking Pole. I'm pretty sure this is the one he has. Stylish and high-tech all at the same time.
posted by Doohickie at 6:15 PM on October 13

Snapped my femur like a twig a few years ago, and had what sounded like a similar recovery schedule. And while I really wanted a hip, cool cane as well, I'm now glad I didn't bother. Your body isn't used to supporting upwards of 25% of your weight on one of your arms. You won't believe how much your hands and wrist will ache after a day of caning around. They just weren't built for that kind of repetitive stress. Get ugly, aluminum orthopedic cane for the first few weeks - it's the most comfortable one you'll be able to find. As you start getting stronger, you'll be able to cut back your cane use to a couple hours at the end of the day. When you get to that point, I'd recommend the folding cane DarlingBri linked too. Folds up into a back pack so you don't have to carry it everywhere when it's not in use.

As much fun as sword canes or pimp canes look, you'll last about 30 minutes on them when you're just starting out.

Good luck with your recovery. I know 4-8 weeks seems like a long time to be caning around. But it goes pretty quickly, and it's probably only 2-3 weeks where you need the cane full time.
posted by centerweight at 9:27 PM on October 13

Thanks everyone! This was all very helpful. I think I'm going to get one fancy cane (I'm going to Vegas during my cane time...gotta do it) and one aluminum, lightweight sucker. Wouldn't have thought about that without y'all's help!
posted by kryptonik at 2:06 PM on October 27