walking stick

amethyst

Hi how do i go about getting a walking stick
i think one would help me i know you can buy them but i am tall and have problems with my hands
thanks

sharmaine

Hi
You can buy them from most good chemists or order one online. Some of the disability shops sell them too. They are adjustable.
I used a walking stick for about a year, then bought some elbow crutches which balance your weight better. Get one that is suitable for outdoor use - I bought 2 one for indoors and one for outdoors.
The outdoor one had a rubberised foot and handle.

I now use a wheelchair when I go outdoors - both knees are just too bad to cope with a walking stick or crutches. I still, however, make use of my walking stick indoors.

Sharmaine

amethyst wrote:

Hi how do i go about getting a walking stick
i think one would help me i know you can buy them but i am tall and have problems with my hands
thanks

hileena111

From what I remember we are not allowed to put links on the forum but if you pm me I can give you some advice

Love
Hileena

harmony

amethyst wrote:

Hi how do i go about getting a walking stick
i think one would help me i know you can buy them but i am tall and have problems with my hands
thanks

Any good disability place will have them and have shaped handles that fit comfortably to your hands. Remember that you will not have to pay VAT if you buy from a mobility shop Most are adjustable and once you get use to using one it makes getting around so much easier.
Good luck,
Harmony

handsy

I was given mine from my physio you have to be measured as the wrong size small or large can cause more damage. Speak to your GP then get advice from Physio. I use mine most days I also have leg braces. From my own expirience you have to ask what aids to walking/moving about that are availible hope this helps

Wonkylegs

I would urge you to speak to your Gp about a referral to either Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy dept for a proper assessment of what help would be best for you.

You might find, like I did, that you get offered a lot more help than you were originally looking for

woodbon

HI, AS the others have said, you would do best to go through the occupational therapy or GP. They measure you and 'fit' you with the stick that is best for you. Its amazing how many different types of stick you can get, and what difference having the right one makes. Its also free, and if they give you something you don't get on with, you can just take it back, explain the problem and they will offer something else

Hope that you find what you need quickly, Love Sue

oneday

i got one from the well known outdoor type camping shop, you can adjust the height and there ar different types,shock absorbers etc and in different colours,always have one in the car.

woodbon

Hi yes I use a couple of walking poles if I'm out in the country I've got a couple that I used before arthur stopped me going hill walking. Now, when I use them in my Norfolk home, I expect people think I'm daft or showing off It doesn't bother me, in fact I find the odd glances I sometimes get quite funny! Love Sue

salsal

a physio can give you one for free, measure you up for it and show you how to use it ie. my left ankle plays up so i use it on my right side, however as my hands play up i brought my self a duck foot one after the dog ate my nhs one lol! duck feet are broad handled and come in left or right best to get prescribed one as there may be something better for you

nick55

I was told to buy walking poles several tmies during my last and probably THE last walk up Snowdon. My walking days seem to be withering away these days. I turned back this morning sadly.

walking poles have the advantage they are light, will fold up nicely, and extend as long as you wish. Also they come with either a pointed end for grip on soft ground, or you can screw a rubber on them for pavement use.
I have three leki, I aliways go over the top, and they average about forty pounds each, but the cost is well worth it.

beside the lightness they are incredibly strong. If my hip goes on a walk, apart from it being very nasty, before the painkiller takes effect, I always carry tramdol with me, if the hip goes, I have a pole to lean on also it takes the stress I believe off the bad side, my right. They seem to work.

I bought mine from Millets, but any outdoor shop sells them and even those who have good joints use them these days. There is absolutely no stigma to using these poles, I would never use a walking stick as such. But that is me.

best wishes,

Nick

woodbon

My problem is that if I use my left hand for my right hip, I'm a danger to the community! :shock: I'm so right handed that I just can't use the left properly, so have to use the wrong hand. :oops: unless I use two walking poles I have then my left hand seems to behave itself!

nick55

Hi, Sue, my understanding of the brain such as it s is we should be able to train it by practice. Try using the left hand, as you walk, try using it a little each time, before you switch back to the right. I am sure in time you will get more used to it until it becomes second nature. The brain is amazingly adaptive.
best wishes,
Nick

woodbon wrote:

My problem is that if I use my left hand for my right hip, I'm a danger to the community! :shock: I'm so right handed that I just can't use the left properly, so have to use the wrong hand. :oops: unless I use two walking poles I have then my left hand seems to behave itself!