Dr Sarah Jarvis
My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you
Walking sticks can be a boon, and can help keep you mobile and safe. Sometimes they’re a temporary measure, offering support while an injury heals or you get over joint surgery. Sometimes they’re a friend for life. But there are pitfalls to using a walking stick too.
Walking sticks can be useful if you have problems with balance, co-ordination or walking. They give you a wider support base to help you keep your balance. This can be particularly useful if you’re prone to falls or have problems with sensation in your feet.
Over the years, high blood sugar if you have diabetes can damage the nerves in your feet. This can be painful and increases the risk of foot ulcers, but it can also make your feet numb, making balance harder. Conditions that affect your brain, like Parkinson’s disease or a stroke, can also affect your balance and coordination. Walking sticks can help you stand, and walk, more upright. If you have osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) you can lose height in your spine as your bones get squashed. At the top of your spine, this can lead to your neck dropping, so you’re stooped over. In time, this can compress your chest and make breathing harder. By standing tall you give your lungs more room, as well as reducing the risk of falling. They let you redistribute your weight, by carrying some of your weight through your arm. This can be a real help if you suffer from arthritis, which commonly
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affects your hips, knees and spine. It can also affect your hands, so choose a handle that you can grip comfortably. Using a walking stick can change your gait – the way you walk. This can prevent knock-on problems in other joints or muscles, if you’ve been putting more pressure on them to prevent strain on a painful joint.
Finally, a walking aid can increase your confidence making it more likely that you’ll get out and about. However, a word of caution – the wrong stick can actually lead to falls. If you have a walking aid, whether a stick or a frame, there are some simple precautions you can take. Be aware of obstacles that you could catch your stick or frame on, leading to a fall. At home, remove clutter from the floor and get rid of rugs which can curl up at the edges. Keep flexes from lamps or other electrical equipment out of the way.
Don’t use a walking stick (or frame) to get up from a chair – there’s a risk they could slip, causing you to topple over. Instead, sit in armchairs with arms, and put your hands on the arms to push yourself up. Deep, squashy armchairs can make this difficult – you may need to add a firm cushion. Always choose a stick with a non-slip rubber tip, and check it regularly. A worn tip could lead to the stick slipping when you least expect it. Make sure your walking stick is the right length. Measure the distance from your wrist to the ground, wearing shoes and with your arm hanging loosely by your side. That’s the right length for your stick. Don’t rely on an old measurement.
Make sure your stick is made of stout, unbending wood (or metal). If you’re buying your own, take some time to find the handle you find most comfortable – especially if you have arthritis in your hands. Next week: What is your GP looking for?
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