Comments on: The Question of House’s Cane

By: 2gators

2gators — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:26:38 +0000

I’m a PT as well and while technically, the cane should be on the opposite side of the injury, I’ve had many a patient that cannot manage the cane in a non-dominant hand. Oh, and if we want to get really technical, a single-point cane is designed to be a balance point, not weight bearing. If you need to take weight off your leg, you really should be walking with a small based quad cane(a cane with feet) or a forearm crutch. And don’t believe the ehow article; lots more info wrong in it than just advising people to carry the cane in the wrong hand!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:08:21 +0000

It was discussed in an episode. House knows he is doing it wrong. he just doesn’t care.

By: Shan

Shan — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:33:18 +0000

I’ve had to use a cane for years, have regular pt appts, the works, and I agree with those who say it depends on your injury, condition, etc. I do use my cane on the side of my leg problem and it helps a lot, but that’s just what works for me. (Love “House,” btw, but it’s a show, not an instruction manual.) My opposite shoulder is more thrashed than my leg, so carrying the cane on that side (dominant) isn’t usually an option, rebel inclinations or not. Some days, though, as most patients will tell you, it’s any which way you can and my pt says switching occasionally as needed reduces the constant wear and tear on one hand. It’s rare anyone using one has the exact same condition (s) in same place anyway. It’s a lot like choosing/using the right kind of shoes; what fits one person great can drive someone else to, well, feeling they need a cane (or at least six boxes of band-aids). Best solution for me I’ve found is to alternate between at least two canes, each with different-style handle. Best cane I’ve found for my use (esp. for longer distances, uneven terrain) is the lightweight sort with a shock-absorbing spring inside and putting 360 degree tilt tips (or at least a tip with excellent traction) (they sell ‘em separately several places online, can find with a short search)on all.

By: devon

devon — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:33:01 +0000

i have to have constant use of a cane but my doctor told me there is no proper way to use a cane. you’re instructions are correct if you want to achieve balance. I limp in my right leg causing me constant back and leg pain. I find that if i support my right leg with the cane i achieve as much balance as if the cane were acting as my right leg (and also confirmed by my doctor.) so don’t feel bad to use it either way. also here is another quote from another “house” site:

“it is not a mistake. Biomechanically a cane should be used in the opposite hand when the injury is at the hip joint. If the injury is at the knee or below, it is more efficient and more biomechanically sound to hold the cane on the same side as the problem. In House’s case the injury is involving muscles that are primary movers–specifically extensors–of the knee (he seems to be able to move the hip at will). It can be assumed, therefore, that the cane is to compensate for his knee instability; thus he is actually using it properly on the side of the injured leg.

As someone who suffers from constant leg pain I would like to add that by carrying the cane on the same side as the bad leg you can put most of your weight on the cane and hardly even use your leg. If you use the cane on the opposite leg while it may help with stabilizing as you walk you can not put nearly as much of your weight on it thus putting more pressure on your painful leg.

” Bear weight on the proper side. You should hold your cane on the same side of your body that your injury is on. If you are using the cane for general mobility rather than an injury, hold the cane using your dominant hand and bear weight on this side of your body. This will make the cane bear the majority of your weight, as well as the impact caused by your motion when walking (eHow).”

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:09:48 +0000

I have always used my cane on my right side / side of injury.. My ortho doc yells at me, but he knows I need the added leverage for my knee, so he lets it slide. My back never hurts.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:20:45 +0000

The issue is not what is right and what is wrong. Yes, there is a more medically smart and a less medically smart but think about it. If House was so concerned about being medically smart, he would not be a junkie. He uses the cane on the right side because it causes less pain, even the therapist mentioned in the article said that is what happens. The problem and the reason he should use it on the left is so that the right leg does not become so dependent on it. It helps the healing process to use it on the left but if House cared about the long run, he would not be addicted to painkillers.

By: Dani

Dani — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:28:45 +0000

I agree with Becka. I had the same problem and it was so much easier to use the cane on the same side of my injury. That way the cane acts like a leg. Otherwise to me you look a little stupid because your trying to use your legs sort of backwards.

By: Beka

Beka — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:30:32 +0000

…hello misposting. To finish what I was saying, after a while I switched to using it on the same side as my injury and found that it made getting around a lot easier and less painful. How exactly, oh great PT commenters, is this BAD?

By: Beka

Beka — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:29:14 +0000

I’m 23 and have a knee injury that sometimes requires me to use a cane to get around. My PT taught me how to use the cane properly and I tried it for a while, and it never seemed to do much good. Not only did it make my knee hurt as much as it did when I walked on it without the cane, but I was always stumbling and ending up jolting my bad leg because it was so awkward walking with the cane on the opposite side of my injury.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:28:55 +0000

@ Grace: You’re right, it could solve the problem. But I remember him saying something akin to “I love my leg”. It’s nearly the same thing with the blood stained carpet in his office. If you view something as being part of yourself, you don’t wanna lose it.
And who knows, maybe some people are what they are (or really good at wthat they do) because of living in constant pain…