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Walking Sticks

Mobility

Walking Sticks

A walking stick provides limited support. It should be fitted to the person and selected according to balance, gait, upper-limb function, pain, environment and required level of assistance.

Overview

Walking sticks are one-handed mobility aids.

Common types include:

  • Single-point stick
  • Folding stick
  • Offset-handle cane
  • Tripod stick
  • Quad cane
  • Bariatric or heavy-duty stick
  • Parkinson’s cueing cane
  • Specialist ergonomic-handle stick

Purpose

  • Provide mild balance support
  • Increase confidence
  • Reduce load through one lower limb
  • Provide sensory feedback from the ground
  • Support short-distance indoor or community mobility
  • Offer a compact aid for transport and storage

Who May Benefit

A walking stick may suit a person who:

  • Needs only low-level support
  • Has mild balance impairment
  • Has pain or weakness mainly on one side
  • Can safely coordinate a one-handed aid
  • Has adequate grip and upper-limb strength
  • Does not require a seat
  • Can manage household and community surfaces with limited support

When a Walking Stick May Not Be Suitable

Consider a walker or frame when the person:

  • Requires bilateral support
  • Has moderate or severe balance impairment
  • Relies heavily on the stick
  • Cannot maintain safe gait with one hand
  • Has frequent falls
  • Has poor coordination
  • Has significant cognitive or visual-perceptual impairment
  • Needs seated rest
  • Cannot place the stick consistently
  • Requires substantial lower-limb offloading

Comparison With Other Walking Aids

Feature Walker / rollator Walking stick Walking frame
Typical support Moderate, dynamic support Low, one-sided support High, broad base of support
Upper-limb use Usually both hands One hand Both hands
Wheels Usually 3 or 4 wheels None No wheels or 2 front wheels
Brakes Usually hand brakes None Usually none
Seat Often available No No
Pace Supports a more continuous gait Minimal interruption to gait Slower, more deliberate gait
Space required Moderate to high Low Moderate
Best suited to Endurance limits, moderate balance impairment, community mobility Mild balance impairment or unilateral support need Greater stability needs, reduced balance, early rehabilitation or limited brake management
Main limitation Can move away if braking and control are poor Provides limited support Requires lifting or controlled advancement and may be slower

Why Choose This Aid Instead of the Others

Selection should be based on:

  • Required level of support
  • Ability to use one or both upper limbs
  • Grip strength and hand function
  • Ability to understand and operate brakes
  • Walking pattern and gait speed
  • Falls history
  • Endurance and need for a seat
  • Indoor and outdoor surfaces
  • Doorway and turning space
  • Transport and storage needs
  • Cognitive, visual and perceptual ability
  • Diagnosis-specific needs
  • Ability to safely trial the aid

A walking aid should not be selected only because it is familiar, available or inexpensive.

Choose a Walking Stick Rather Than a Walker When

  • Only mild support is required
  • One upper limb is available
  • The person does not need a seat
  • Space is limited
  • The person can safely carry or store the stick
  • Community access requires a compact aid
  • A walker would unnecessarily restrict gait or activity

Choose a Walking Stick Rather Than a Walking Frame When

  • The person does not need a broad base of support
  • Gait is relatively stable
  • A step-through pattern is safe
  • The person can coordinate the stick
  • The environment is too confined for a frame
  • The person needs a lightweight, portable aid

Choose a Walker or Frame Instead When

  • The stick does not provide enough support
  • The person leans heavily onto it
  • Balance loss occurs away from the stick side
  • Falls or near misses continue
  • Bilateral upper-limb support improves gait
  • A seat or carrying function is required
  • Cognition affects placement or sequencing

Types of Walking Sticks

Single-Point Stick

Advantages

  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Easy to transport
  • Minimal interference with gait
  • Suitable for mild support needs

Limitations

  • Small base of support
  • Cannot stand independently
  • Requires accurate placement
  • Provides limited assistance during major balance loss

Folding Stick

Advantages

  • Compact for bags or vehicles
  • Useful as an occasional aid
  • Easier to store

Limitations

  • Joints and elastic cord require inspection
  • May feel less rigid
  • Must lock fully before use
  • Not suitable when the person cannot assemble it reliably

Offset-Handle Cane

The handle is positioned over the shaft to improve load transfer.

Consider When

  • More weight is placed through the cane
  • A standard crook handle is uncomfortable
  • Improved alignment over the shaft is required

Tripod and Quad Cane

These have three or four feet.

Advantages

  • Larger base of support
  • May stand independently
  • Can provide more stability than a single-point stick

Limitations

  • Heavier
  • Can catch the opposite foot
  • Must be placed flat
  • Difficult on uneven surfaces
  • Can encourage slow or awkward gait
  • Wide bases can create trip hazards

A narrow-base quad cane may be easier to place than a broad-base quad cane, while a broad base may provide more static support but interfere more with gait.

Parkinson’s Cueing Cane

A cueing cane may project a laser line or provide another external cue.

Consider When

  • Freezing of gait occurs
  • Visual cueing improves gait initiation during assessment
  • Doorways and turning trigger freezing
  • The person can understand and activate the cue

Limitations

  • Cueing response varies
  • It does not replace assessment of balance and support needs
  • Batteries and controls require management
  • A cane may still provide insufficient physical support

How to Choose a Walking Stick

Support Required

  • Single-point stick for mild support
  • Offset cane when greater downward loading is expected
  • Tripod or quad cane when a broader base is needed
  • Walker or frame if a cane remains insufficient

Handle Type

Handle Potential benefit Consideration
Derby Broad, comfortable grip Check hand size
Offset Load positioned over shaft May suit greater loading
Anatomical Shaped to hand Left and right versions may differ
Crook Easy to hook over arm Less ideal for heavy loading
Foam grip Softer feel Can deteriorate or rotate

Ferrule

Check:

  • Correct size
  • Secure fit
  • Good tread
  • No splits or hardening
  • Suitable ground contact
  • Replacement availability

Which Hand Should Hold the Stick

For unilateral lower-limb pain or weakness, a stick is commonly held in the hand opposite the affected leg.

This may improve the base of support and reduce loading through the affected side.

Clinical presentation may require a different method. Confirm during assessment.

Height and Fit

A typical starting point is:

  • Stick tip placed slightly forward and to the side of the foot
  • Handle near wrist-crease level when standing upright with arms relaxed
  • Elbow slightly flexed
  • Shoulders level and relaxed

Check fit during actual walking. A stick that is too high may elevate the shoulder. A stick that is too low may increase trunk lean.

How to Use

Walking With One Affected Leg

  1. Hold the stick on the opposite side.
  2. Move the stick forward a short distance.
  3. Step forward with the affected leg.
  4. Step through with the stronger leg.
  5. Keep the stick close enough to provide support.

Good, Stick, Bad

Stairs

==Up with the good, down with the bad.==

Good, Stick, Bad

Stick, Bad, Good

Follow the technique prescribed by the treating clinician.

A common method is:

  • Going up: stronger leg first, then affected leg and stick
  • Going down: stick first, then affected leg, then stronger leg

Use a handrail when available and safe. Some people require supervision or a different method.

Sitting Down

  1. Approach the chair.
  2. Turn until the legs touch the seat.
  3. Place the stick where it will not create a trip hazard.
  4. Reach for the chair arms.
  5. Sit in a controlled manner.

Standing Up

  1. Move forward on the seat.
  2. Position feet securely.
  3. Push from the chair rather than pulling on the stick.
  4. Stand and gain balance.
  5. Take hold of the stick before walking.

Safety Issues

  • Do not use a worn ferrule
  • Do not use the stick to pull up from a chair
  • Do not place it too far ahead
  • Do not use a height-adjustment pin that is not fully engaged
  • Avoid hooking the stick where it can fall
  • Check folding joints before each use
  • Keep the stick away from the opposite foot
  • Review after falls, near misses or functional decline
  • Do not rely on a stick when bilateral support is required

Trial Checklist

  • [ ] Correct hand selected
  • [ ] Correct height
  • [ ] Elbow slightly flexed
  • [ ] Shoulder remains relaxed
  • [ ] Ferrule contacts the floor fully
  • [ ] Stick does not catch the feet
  • [ ] Safe turning demonstrated
  • [ ] Safe chair transfer demonstrated
  • [ ] Safe stairs method demonstrated when required
  • [ ] Indoor and outdoor surfaces trialled
  • [ ] Person can carry or store the stick safely

Cleaning and Maintenance

Check:

  • Ferrule wear
  • Shaft damage
  • Height-adjustment pin
  • Handle security
  • Folding joints
  • Elastic cord
  • Rust or corrosion
  • Reflectors or visibility aids
  • Manufacturer replacement intervals

References

  • Healthdirect Australia. Mobility aids: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mobility-aids
  • U-Step. LaserCue information: https://www.ustep.com/lasercue/
  • Relevant manufacturer instructions and organisational procedures