Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Do you use walking aids?

How many of you with just AS need to use a walking aid such as a cane? If you use one, do you use it occasionally or all the time?

I've used one when I'm good enough to take a walk. I've considered one for when I am bad off and limping because it DOES take a lot of stress off my hips, but I probably won't use one until my doctor gives me the okay. I might ask him about it today.

I got given crutches when I was having real difficulty. It was GP who gave them (odd situation, small rural community, medical centre has things like that for emergency use). Went on to just using a cane, but that was never wonderful. Both things hurt my hands. Then finally discovered crutches with anatomical soft grips and they are a dream! Along the way I did have a physio show me the right way for me to use them. I now think that is ESSENTIAL. You need to first of all be assessed properly for the kind of aid that will work best (a cane isn't always the best as it can make you walk a bit lopsided putting stress on one side). Secondly, you need to be shown how to use the aid properly so it doesn't cause further damage and does actually help. Third, it needs to be fitted to you - too long or too short will do more damage than good.

While using a cane might seem like a nice in-between kind of option, I wouldn't hesitate to consider two crutches, and with appropriate grips so they don't hurt your arms - if nothing else it elevated my "back-ache" to a more serious problem, so I don't get the "only arthritis" type of comments any more. I do sometimes just use one of them, but feel the difference if I do it too often.

I just love my purple anatomic soft grip crutches!

Whoops. Didn't actually answer the questions.

Two crutches - anatomic soft grips.
Don't use in the house at all (manage by bouncing off walls)
Often just use one, particularly when having to carry something. Not good to do that, but it works for me.
Will definitely use both if I have to walk any distance (i.e. more than 25 yards at the moment) or if I have to be standing more than a few minutes. Or if I am walking somewhere, then having to sit for a while before I walk back again (only way to get moving again).
Never venture outside the house without both of them in the car, and using at least one of them whenever I get out of car.

Last summer, when my psoriatic spondylitis got really bad, I tried using a cane to help me get around my yard. It was a cane I had used for several months many years ago, when I had torn my ankle up pretty badly. So it was sized for me, and I knew how to use it. BUT, I ended up having to give up on it because it seriously aggravated the pain in my hand and elbow. I think cemc has some good suggestions.

One thing I have on my wish list is something that will allow me to sit down regularly. When my S/I joints get really bad, I just can't stay on my feet for more than a few minutes, which makes it really difficult to go shopping, or to the bank or post office.

I do not use any walking aids, but when I am around somewhere with a hand rail, i WILL use it. On bad days, I just don't walk

I have a cane that I use on occasion. My hands, wrists, and elbows are usually in too much pain to use it though.

When things are really bad, I have a cane that I use. Mosy of the time I just try to deal and get through.

Oh, I only shop where I have a shopping cart to use as a walking aid these days. No more malls for me. So I guess I use shopping carts too. Lol!

I use a cane for balance and, on rare occasions, as an offensive weapon.


Spenser23