Walking sticks used by the elderly

Abstract

Based on the evaluation of walking sticks used by 60 elderly patients, the authors conclude that many walking sticks used by old people have faults that can be easily remedied. Most are too long. Two methods are recommended for determining the correct length of a walking stick: measurement from the wrist crease or ulnostyloid joint to the ground, the patient standing erect in shoes with the arm hanging loosely at the side, and the distance from the greater trochanter to the ground. In patients who had not been assessed by therapists, considerable wear of the tread on the ferrule was common. Few sticks had modified handles: elderly or arthritic patients are more comfortable when the handle is enlarged with additional materials. Further work is needed to establish whether modifications to the handle are indeed effective in reducing hand discomfort.