![]() ![]() This cane comes with four points at the base, offering more support, says Susan Kushner, MS, PT, academic coordinator of clinical education at the Graduate School of Physical Therapy at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in Slippery Rock. Look for a rubber or ice-grip tip for walking on slippery surfaces, she adds. It's an option if you need help with balance but minimal support. This is the most common type of cane and has just one point that hits the ground, Frankel says. ![]() The right cane for you depends on how much support you need. If you’ve fallen or hesitate to do activities because you’re worried about your walking, Frankel suggests seeing a physical therapist for a gait analysis and to decide which cane - or other mobility device - is best suited to your needs. “It may be time to investigate using a cane when walking becomes unsteady due to problems with balance, coordination, spasticity, or weakness,” says Debra Frankel, MS, an occupational therapist and vice president of programs, services, and clinical care at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Professional guidance from either a physical or occupational therapist is important when picking a cane, because choosing the wrong one - or using it incorrectly - can make matters worse. When multiple sclerosis (MS) makes getting around difficult, using a cane can help keep you mobile.
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