For new sufferers with peripheral neuropathy of the feet, you may be looking for some mobility aides. For us sufferers with some time under our belt, we may be looking for some added security in our mobility. Depending on how your neuropathy effects your overall mobility, you may be looking for a walker which we have discussed here. Some of us will start out on walkers (or use them during flare-ups), progress to canes through time, or proceed to not having a need for mobility aids altogether once they get there neuropathy management under control. I suffer with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and started on walkers most the time, progressed to canes, and through physical therapy and overall management only use either when out of the house at times or during flare-ups.
The important thing here is to not think like I used too. I had this impression that a walker or cane made me disabled, and I was not having it. It took me time to realize (i.e. other injuries from needless falls) that the neuropathy made me disabled, not using a cane or walker made me... well.. silly (insert more impolite term here)... I cannot remember how many times I have fallen when all it would have taken was a cane or mobility aid and to this day, I still never go far without a cane at minimum to use in untrusted and unknown terrain.
There are two issues that confront neuropathy sufferers in their feet and the reason they may require a mobility aid. Lack of balance, lack of strength (muscle weakness and/or control), or both. So without further ado, lets jump into my favorite canes for neuropathy sufferers.
We have to start with my favorite go to, the Hugo Mobility Quadpod Offset Cane with Ultra Stable Cane Tip. This cane is height adjustable to accommodate people form 5" to 6'5", weighs 1.40 pounds, and has a Ultra Stable Cane Tip with is 54% lighter and 80% more compact than a large base quad cane. Now the quad base is important for those of use that have balance issues!! This cane gives you the stability you need without the clunky but even more secure full size quad cane. I like the fact that it is sleeker and easy to maintain beside you and the K-shaped grip base provides for greater stability than your traditional canes. The grip is comfortable and I really have no complaints as it is again my favorite. Oh yeah and it comes in three colors for you style gurus!
If you think you will need more stability or you want to do much more uneven terrain walking you may consider the full size quads which do give you even more balance, but you will sacrifice some in the weight. Hugo Mobility offers a small base quad or large base quad which both have the same features as above but come in at 2.1 pounds and 2.7 pounds respectively and greater footprint. 3 colors for each of these as well.
If you need even less stability of the quad base and just want the K-shaped handle the cheapest out there that I know of is the DMI Deluxe Lightweight Adjustable Walking Cane with Soft Foam Offset Hand Grip. It only weighs 12 ounces and comes in three colors.
Now, if you want a little Bond, James Bond... okay this is about the time I am told "dude you are talking about a cane" After many failures, this has become my EDC, not the Everyday Carry term that has become popular for what people carry in their pockets, but my Everyday Cane!! The Ohuhu Folding Walking Cane gives you a folding cane with the quad base and I must say I love it. The quad base on this one is pivoting which gives you some more stability on uneven ground. It folds up in four sections connected by a bungee type cord for quick snap back. The James Bond part comes in the form of 6 LED lights that come on the handle and can be tilted downwards up to 45 degrees. However, while not that James Bond in all seriousness, I was surprised about how much I use the light. For those of us who have stability issues, the surface becomes really important to see, even moreso at night! This is a definite stocking stuffer to be kept in the car of anyone who suffers with neuropathy as you never know when you are going to need to walk with some more confidence! I do not think this one is going to last forever like the others listed above, but for the cost, if I replace it every couple of years it is worth it.
I will leave you with the proper way to fit a cane height according to physical therapists.
While standing, hold your cane in one hand and let the tip of the cane rest on the floor.
When holding the handle of the cane, the cane should come to the level of your hip bone on the side of your upper thigh.
When you grab the handle of your cane, your elbow should be bent approximately 20 degrees. A visit to a physical therapist may be in order so he or she can use a goniometer to measure your elbow position to ensure it is correct.
An alternative way to measure your cane height is to stand with the cane at your side. The top of the cane should be at the level of your wrist when your arm is hanging comfortably at your side.
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