Quad Canes

How about using a hemi-walker after wheelchair and 2-wheel walker before using a quad cane? Anybody here familiar with hemi-walkers??

Tagging a few members who may have comments on the hemi walker, 2-wheel walker, quad canes or other walking aids @grrranny, and offer input from their experiences @cheyne @katl819 @djs2023 @michele70 @ruby2020.

Are you leaning toward any particular walking aid, @grrranny?

Thanks, Lisa. I have 2 physical therapists, and only one (not the main one) has brought this up so far. So I think it's a little premature at this point. I'm just doing a little research ahead of time...

I have used and currently own a regular cane, a quad cane and a walker, all acquired after the brain tumor, the stroke and subsequent broken hip. (It was a bad 4 years). In my opinion, the big advantage of a quad cane is not its stability, but rather, it doesn’t tip over as much and be as hard to pick up as a regular cane. Its big advantage over the walker is its ability to get around in tight spaces. Because my biggest priority is not to fall again (don’t want to break the other hip or hit my head because of the blood thinner I’m taking), I generally use my walker just because it feels so much more stable than any cane.

Thanks ever so much, @methel! I'm also on blood thinner, and will investigate the quad canes. Keep up the good work!

@grrranny A few years ago I had a brain lesion and started out with a wheelchair as I learned to walk again. Then I “graduated” to an aluminum walker, then a rolling walker, and now, a cane. Canes are another story; there are so many types. My SIL gave me a beautiful wooden cane, but the handle is so uncomfortable! So I bought a lightweight aluminum cane with a padded handle. And, it’s bright turquoise so I can easily find it! I hope this helps a little.

Thank you so much, Becky! How long after your brain lesion did those different "graduations" take, if I may ask??
I'm so frustrated, and feeling like my progress is going so slowly at this 4-month post-stroke point -- even with doing the physical therapy and all the home exercises I'm practicing every day. Am I just too old -- at 82 -- to bounce back?

My last comment: In one of my many visits to rehab, I talked to a fellow patient who was using a rollator after a stroke. His kids had painted racing stripes on it. I thought to myself, “there goes a good father.”

I don’t know if this is relevant. However. After using canes and having falls where I hit my head, I as determined to make a change. I am using a fore-arm cane that is reportedly more commonly used in Europe. I trust the cane more and it is stabled on lumpy city streets. Excellent YouTube videos on these canes.

@grrranny, Congratulations for your progress and determination.

In my experience with observing and assisting a loved one, the progression from wheelchair to walker to cane sounds is a normal progression as one advances. I can imagine that you are really looking forward to the next level of therapy. I would like to add that your patience and determination will be needed as the transition is not always as easy as one would expect. And an important message that you will hear over-and-over is, "We don't want you to fall."

When my loved one advanced from motorized wheelchair, to wheelchair. to 4 legged walker, to 2 wheeled walker, to rollator with cane, it was always the PT who guided the selection according to patients current level of need. The hospital/outpatient clinic had a Patient Medical Supply Store that was the best source for equipment because it was easily accessible and matched to the patients mobility requirements with an product order number from the doctor or PT.

The cane selection should be dependent on how it fits you for proper alignment and stability. A 4 legged vs single point is also dependent on patient need. Again, the PT will be recommending and helping you practice on the cane. and will probably try different ones with you during therapy before deciding what is best for you. Some mobility issues are best aided with a 4 legged cane, some with a single point.

I think it is a good thing that you are looking at assistive mobility aids, but I also think you should wait to purchase until you know what you will need. During a long recovery, my loved one purchased several assistive devices that he thought would need, but almost every one of them did not work for him.

Are you currently using a wheelchair?