Many people suffer from mobility issue. These issues may be caused by sickness, accidents, age, and surgeries. Often times, these patients need extra support to be able to move around. It is not uncommon to see people make use of a cane or walker.
Walkers and canes are used at different stages for ease of movement. At a certain point, you may be required to use one or both of them. In this article, we will be outlining the merits and demerits of each using canes and walkers. Actually, people use canes when there is no longer a need for a walker. Canes are also used by people with minimal mobility issues. If a person needs additional support to walk an extended distance, canes are ideal. Some of the pros of canes are:
- Canes are for people with minimal mobility issues
- They aren’t difficult to transport
- They can be used on different surfaces
- Canes are customizable and they are available in different styles
- They provide assistance with balance and bearing of weight
- They help to reduce stress on lower body parts like ankles, knees, and joints.
- Canes are ideal for people recovering from surgeries or injuries
Cons of Canes
- Canes do not provide as much support as walkers
- Canes could be stuck in uneven surfaces
- Canes cannot be used immediately post-surgery or for major mobility issues
- They could cause repetitive strain issues
If the mobility issue is severe, or there is a need for extra support for balance, walkers can be used. They can be used immediately post-surgery. Walkers are also ideal for people who find it hard to support their own weight. Let us look at some of the pros and cons of walkers.
Pros of walkers
- They are more sturdy and have more strength than canes
- For ease of use, they are used with wheels
- Walkers are perfect for persons recovering from surgeries.
- Walkers are ideal for persons with serious or severe mobility issues
- They bear weight better than canes.
Cons of walkers
- They aren’t as easy to use as canes
- It isn’t recommended for use if you only have minor mobility issues
- Unlike canes, they are not easy to transport because they take up more space