A patient with a fracture of the right tibia has been advised to use a cane
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It is important to start walking soon after surgery for a leg injury. But you will need support while your leg is healing. A cane can be used for support. It may be a good choice if you only need a little help with balance and stability, or if your leg is only a little weak or painful. Show The 2 main types of canes are:
Your surgeon or physical therapist will help you choose the type of cane that is best for you. The type of cane you use will depend on how much support you need. Talk to your health care provider if you are having a lot of pain, weakness, or balance problems. Crutches or a walker may be better options for you. The most common question about using a cane is, "Which hand should I hold it in?" The answer is the hand opposite the leg that you had surgery on, or that is the weakest. The tip or all 4 prongs need to be on the ground before you put your weight on your cane. Look forward when you walk, not down at your feet. Make sure your cane has been adjusted to your height:
Choose a cane with a comfortable handle. Use a chair with armrests when you can to make sitting and standing easier. Follow these steps when you walk with a cane:
To go up one step or a curb:
To go down one step or a curb:
If you had surgery on both legs, still lead with your strong leg when going up and your weak leg when going down. Remember, "up with the good, down with the bad." If there is a handrail, hold onto it and use your cane in the other hand. Use the same method for a set of stairs that you do for single steps. Go up the stairs with your stronger leg first, then your weaker leg, and then the cane. If you are going down the stairs, start with your cane, then your weaker leg, and then your strong leg. Take the steps one at a time. When you reach the top, stop for a moment to regain your balance and strength before moving on. If you had surgery on both legs, lead with your stronger leg when going up and your weaker leg when going down. Make changes around your house to prevent falls.
Check the tip or tips of your cane daily and replace them if they are worn. You can get new tips at your medical supply store or local drug store. As you are learning to use your cane, have someone close by to give you extra support if needed. Use a small backpack, fanny pack, or shoulder bag to hold items that you need with you (such as your phone). This will keep your hands free while you are walking. Edelstein J. Canes, crutches, and walkers. In: Webster JB, Murphy DP, eds. Atlas of Orthoses and Assistive Devices. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 36. Meftah M, Ranawat AS, Ranawat AS, Caughran AT. Total hip replacement rehabilitation: progression and restrictions. In: Giangarra CE, Manske RC, eds. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 66. Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. If you've recently had a fracture, you're probably eager to get back to your life. Osteoporosis doesn't affect how quickly your bones heal. Most fractures are better in 6 to 12 weeks. Chances are, you'll spend many of those weeks at home. Learning to get around can take time, but you can do some things to get back to your normal activities more quickly and stay healthy while you're at it. After a fracture, you have to learn how to move again. For example, if you had a spine fracture, you might need to bend and lift differently than you did before. Or if you broke your wrist, you may not be able to get dressed on your own right away. No matter which bone you broke, it may take longer to do things like wash the dishes or get groceries out of your car. That's OK. Your goal should be to do each thing safely, not quickly. It might sound like the opposite of what you should do, but one of the best ways to get back to doing things on your own is to let other people help you. If you push yourself too hard while you're healing, your recovery can take longer. And it can make you more likely to have other problems, like another break. During the first few weeks at home, you might need help shopping, cooking, cleaning, or getting dressed. You may
need someone else to help you do the exercises your doctor or physical therapist recommended, too. Remember that you'll get stronger each day. If your doctor suggests something to help you, like a cane, walker, or reaching tool, use it. While it might seem that it keeps you from moving the way you want to, it can keep you safe and help you hurt less. And it can make it easier for you to move. That's key: The more active you are, the better it is for your bones and overall health. You probably won't be able to do everything you used to, even if you're not in a cast. Some tasks -- like climbing a step stool or lifting something heavy -- might be too hard for now. That's where health professionals can help. Your doctor may already have you working with a physical therapist (PT). They can help you learn to move your body safely to ease pain and lower the
chances that you'll have another fracture. A PT can also help you build muscle, which makes you stronger and "pads" your bones to help protect you from new fractures. You may want to think about working with an occupational therapist (OT), too. An OT helps you make changes to your living or work space and come up with smart ways to do everyday tasks. To find a therapist, visit the website of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Share your goals with your physical and occupational therapists. They should be on the same page about what you'd like to be able to do again. Make sure they're aware of any pain you feel. Bone and tissue pain can be an issue, even after your fracture has healed. After you've had a fracture, it's normal to worry about getting another one. But fear can keep you from being active and
getting back to your life. If you're nervous, talk to your health care team about it. And take action. For example, if you're more likely to get a hip fracture, your doctor might recommend that you wear a hip pad. Or if you're worried about breaking another bone, your physical therapist may come up with a strength training plan that helps build muscle and bone mass. With smart lifestyle changes and careful planning, you can stay healthy and lower your odds of
future fractures. You also may find it helpful to talk to other people who have osteoporosis. They'll understand what you're going through, and you can exchange ideas and tips, too. Which discharge instructions does the nurse give to a patient with a cast?Home care. Keep the cast dry. ... . Don't stick things in the cast, even to scratch the skin. ... . Don't cut or tear the cast.. Cover any rough edges of the cast with cloth tape or moleskin. ... . Never try to remove the cast yourself.. Don't pick at the padding of the cast. ... . Exercise all the nearby joints not immobilized by the cast.. What is one advantage of using a Fibreglass cast instead of a plaster one?Fiberglass has several advantages compared to plaster. It weighs less, so the cast made from it will be lighter. More durable and porous, fiberglass allows air to flow in and out. Fiberglass is the better choice in case the limb must be X-rayed during the healing process.
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