How to Use a Walking Stick

Safe Use of Your Walking Stick

• Always hold the walking stick with the handle facing backwards.

• Ensure all push buttons are securely clicked and locked into position.

• Check that the rubber tip (ferrule) has good grip. Take extra care on slippery surfaces

• such as wet floors or leaves.

• Wear flat, supportive footwear whenever using your stick.

• Do not exceed the manufacturer’s weight limit — this will be listed in the instruction

• guide or printed on the stick.

Care and Maintenance

• Regularly inspect your stick for wear, damage or cracks, especially around the height-adjustment holes.

• Replace the ferrule if it becomes smooth, worn down, cracked or split.

• Clean the stick by wiping it with a soft cloth if it becomes dirty.

Measuring and Adjusting Your Walking Stick

• Your walking stick should ideally be measured and set up for you when you receive it.

• When correctly adjusted, you should be able to stand upright comfortably.

• Your elbow should have a slight bend this helps you transfer body weight safely

  through the stick.

• If the stick was not adjusted for you or the spring pins slip out of place, follow the steps

  below to find the correct height.

How to Measure Your Stick

1. Place the stick upside down so the handle rests on the floor.

2. Stand with your arm relaxed by your side and your elbow slightly

   bent.

3. The end of the stick should reach the level of your wrist, allowing

   for a gentle bend in the elbow when holding it.

How to Adjust Your Stick

• Press both spring pins together to raise or lower

  the height.

• Push the lower section of the stick in while gently

  twisting.

• Slide it to the correct length, then twist to allow

  the spring pins to pop back through the holes.

• Check that the pins are fully visible and locked

  securely.

Using Your Walking Stick

Standing Up and Sitting Down

• Keep your stick(s) close to the armrest of the chair.

• Lean slightly forward, place both hands on the chair arms, and push up to stand.

• When sitting, turn until you feel the chair behind your legs.

• You may hold or rest your stick nearby.

• Place both hands on the armrests, lean forward, and lower yourself slowly into the chair

Walking

• Move the stick forward at the same time as your painful or weaker leg.

• This helps offload pressure from the affected side.

• Step through with your stronger leg, then repeat.

• For best support, hold the stick in the hand opposite your sore or weaker leg.

Using Stairs

Walking Up Stairs (With a Handrail)

• Hold onto a handrail whenever possible.

• Step up first with your stronger/good leg.

• Bring your weaker or affected leg onto the same step.

• Then move your stick up to join your feet.

• Repeat one step at a time.

Walking Down Stairs (With a Handrail)

• Hold the handrail if available.

• Place your stick down on the next step.

• Step down with your weaker/affected leg.

• Then bring your stronger leg down onto the same step.

Remember:

Good leg leads going up; affected leg leads going down.

Walking Up Stairs (Without a Handrail)

1. Stand close to the edge of the step

   with your stick(s).

2. Step up with your stronger leg.

3. Bring your weaker leg up to the

   same step.

4. Then lift your stick(s) up onto the

   step.

5. Take the stairs one step at a time.

Walking Down Stairs (Without a Handrail)

1. Stand with your stick(s) near the

   stair edge.

2. Place the stick(s) down onto the

   next step.

3. Step down with your weaker/affected leg.

4. Bring your stronger leg down to the same step.

5. Move slowly and take each step one at a time.