Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Canes KickAS!

I feel like becoming an outspoken cane-advocate!

It's funny how you speak of smiling with your pic right next to your post showing a big ol' grin...we all need a few more smiles, I'm sure.

I understand your asking your wife about the days outting. My husband has an appointment next Wednesday to get a cortisone shot in his back. But afterwards he wants to go to the mall and shop. I can't do that much activity in one day. Maybe I should swallow mt pride and look into a cane. Thank you for the idea. It will be mentally hard for me. I still haven't completely accepted the fact that I can't do things I use to. But you are an encouragement for me. Thank you.

You are so right! I had no idea that things could be improved so much just by using a wooden stick? My cane beats Humira, Enbrel and all the other meds by a country mile. Then again, I may just be in the initial stages of the love affair with my cane but no matter how you slice it, I cannot imagine being without it again.

Please make sure the cane is the correct length for you. Check out this link. If the cane is too long it will put too much stress on your shoulder and can throw your whole back out of alignment and cause other issues.
Good luck,
Alecia
http://www.walkingcanedepot.com/sizing/sizing.asp

Thanks for the link. I would have never thought of how to check for the right size cane.

Hmmm, seems my wonderful new cane is a tad long for optimal orthopedic use as a mobility aid. Pretty sure I'm not going to find a mitre saw very easily but I'm sure I can work something out.

Thanks for the info! I was actually wondering about that very thing after reading one of the earlier posts.

Good luck and now that you are armed with valuable knowledge about proper sizing, you can find your perfect cane real soon. Personally, I can't see a downside other than having one the wrong size or becoming totally dependent upon it.
For now, it is simply fantastic!
I'd take it to bed with me if I wasn't afraid I might hurt myself with it....wait a minute, that sounds kind of creepy when I see it spelled out.

I have been thinking about a cane for the last few weeks and i think now is time . i work in a ski repair shop so tommorow i plan on fashioning one out of a ski pole. Im gonna be walkin in style!

Nice! That sounds like a wicked idea.

I'm sure you'll love it.

I find that I get a little self-conscious about having the cane when I don't need it. For example, I work at a Naval base where people can't just drive their personal vehcles through the gate so most of us have to walk in (of course, if you have enough gold on your shoulder, you can drive in). The first third of the walk, I don't really need the cane but by the last third, I'm leaning on it so much I'm afraid it might break. It's a bit hard to explain to people who think such inconsistencies are proof that I'm a fraud "...oh look, he only uses the cane when he gets close to the admiral's building" - that sort of thing.
I still think canes KickAS! To hell with what other people think.