Walking stick handles

dreamdaisy

What helps one may not help another - how about just wearing a thinner glove? I had padded handles on a pair of crutches and they were horrid - far too thick and bulky. I have two sets of elbow crutches with ergonomic handles which are different designs: one pair is more flared in the palm part than the other and they are more comfortable to use. I think you have to go to a shop and try the different styles, that way you may find something that is better. It can be a real problem and it does take some research and experimentation. Good luck! DD

tjt6768

My OT moulded a piece for my splint while I held onto the stick, works great... Then I just swap back to the one with the metal bar in when I'm not using the stick.. The normal handled walking sticks were splaying the bones in my hands apparently. ergonomic ones have been great for me...

caterina57

I collect my new walking stick from the physio when I go to hydro in the morning. It has a fischer handle, the one I am using at the moment is just an ordainary one so I will have to let you know how I get on
Cath

ironic

Hi Lynn,
Sorry to hear you are struggling with the walking stick. Could the OT nurse point you in the right direction? They must have come across this before.
Del’s idea is a good one, even it’s just to keep you going until you can get things sorted.
Lv, Ix

julie47

Hi lynn

Instead of using sticks ,how about a stroller..That way you don't always have to grab it just rest your hands on it. I bought a stroller when I had my leg amputated cause I couldn't hold any of the sticks they tried me with. I hardly use it now mind as I am always in a chair or scooter but it is useful to me sometimes.

juliepf x

suzygirl

I must admit I have this proble, so was interested to see peoples replies. I also like Dels suggestion of some foam around the handle.

madwestie

Lynn, I have had the same problem i find that if i try to lean on the stick rather than grip it, then it is better also (i am not going to be very good at explaining this one) if i rest my thumb on the knob bit of the stick rather than wrapping it under the handle it is better. Sorry if that doesn't make much sense.

tracey

chris7

Hi Lynn

Hope you find something that helps. Back before arther in another life, when I used to go the gym regularly :roll: I used those fingerless gloves which have padded stuff for the palms and that really helped, but not sure if this is the area you need help with? They do make em in small sizes.

Hope it doesn't spoil too many strolls, and have you pimped it yet?

take care
love and hugs
Chris

lindalegs

Hi Lynn,

As I'm a rheumatoid, like you, my OT gave me elbow crutches to use. These put no strain on you hands and wrists as your forearms take the stress, see link below.

http://www.rebotec.de/bilder/productgroups/arthritis-crutch.jpg

You just walk 'normally' with them instead of the hop motion with other crutches. The only difference from a normal walking stick is that you do have to use them in pains and not singularly.

Hope this helps chuck.

lindalegs

My OT supplied my elbow crutches free of charge Lynn - might be worth giving yours a ring .....then you could try them too to see what you think.

tjt6768

If you do contact them ask them about moulding a piece for your splint Lynn.. Mine really is a lot better than using the normal splint one

tjt6768

lol... Same kind but in macho navy! Haha
You know the bar on the inner side? That comes out, they cut a piece of this plastic stuff, warm it up, insert it into your splint and get you to grip the handle, out then cools quite hard in that shape.
I have two splints though so I don't have to keep swapping over.
Good luck..

LexyB

Hi

I just thought I'd pop my oar in here - I have been on crutches a few times, and can really recommend those fingerless padded gloves. The first time I was on crutches, I pinched my boyfriend's pair of cycling gloves and found they made such a difference. The padding is right where you need it, under the balls of your fingers and also that bit below your thumb too. As they are fingerless, you can still use your hands normally so don't have to worry about fiddling about taking a glove on and off to get into your purse etc.

If you can, get to a cycling shop as they will have loads of different pairs and types to choose from, and they aren't very expensive either (after the first time on crutches, the boy demanded his gloves back and I had to get my own!).

Good luck with finding the best solution x

lindalegs

LexyB wrote:

Hi

I just thought I'd pop my oar in here - I have been on crutches a few times, and can really recommend those fingerless padded gloves. The first time I was on crutches, I pinched my boyfriend's pair of cycling gloves and found they made such a difference. The padding is right where you need it, under the balls of your fingers and also that bit below your thumb too.......................... aren't very expensive either (after the first time on crutches, the boy demanded his gloves back and I had to get my own!).Good luck with finding the best solution x

Hi Lexy and welcome to posting.

This is a great tip and I was thinking maybe you might like to copy it onto the 'Simple Ideas to Make Life Easier' thread at the top of the Living With Arthritis Forum?

mp1952

Hi Lynn

I found those ergonomic handles really painful, so I got some crutches with just the standard 'bar' handle and then fitted some grey foam pipe lagging round the handles and that worked really well.. Cost about 60 pence from a DIY store..

I had tried all sorts of things before that.... Tubigrip, cotton wool, thick sock, etc etc, and then an a and e doctor saw me and told me to get some pipe lagging....

I realise this won't work on the ergonomic handles though...!

Marion

Pherstun

Hi, hopefully some of this will help. I know the sticks I have won't be the same as yours but it might also help others.

I have some walking sticks bought from the outdoors shop: http://www.trekmates.co.uk/902/Trekmates-Wanderer-Pole.html

I have padded the top of the handles with 4 layers of racket tape and made sure it sticks on by just wrapping at either end of the handle. This stuff is cheap to get hold of on eBay (and comes in a multitude of colours!).

If I'm walking any distance I use gloves, I have fingerless ones: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-12253-Large-Fingerless-Gloves/dp/B003D07AA2

and full length ones: http://www.mobilitysmart.cc/wheelchair-accessories/gloves/globaleather-full-fingered-wheelchair-gloves-p-7905.html

I got the Draper fingerless as although Globaleather do fingerless I find the full fingered ones slightly 'stiff' (and the Draper ones were cheaper!). If you're buying cycling ones go and try them on first, as I found with some of them the gel isn't in the right place.

I find the thing that makes most difference though is not having to tightly have to hold the handle. I use the black strap it shows to tighten it round my hand so I don't have to grip the handle. I know you can get add-on straps for sticks but they don't seem to be adjustable so it would probably mean making something suitable.

Debbie

caterina57

Hi
Just a quick update. I collected my new walking stick from physio last monday and I have found it has made a big difference, it has an ergonomic handle and it means that I dont have to grip like I did with the other one I had. It seems to fit my hand perfectly ---but I do have small hands.

Cath