To use a cane correctly, hold it on the side opposite your weaker or painful leg. Move the cane forward with that leg, place the cane tip firmly on the ground, then step through with your stronger leg. The handle should generally sit around wrist level when you are standing upright, with your elbow slightly bent.
A cane can provide useful support when you need a little help with balance, stability or discomfort in one leg, but it has to be the right height and used with the right walking pattern. If your balance is getting worse, you have fallen recently, or one cane no longer feels like enough support, speak with a qualified healthcare or rehabilitation professional. Our guide to preventing senior falls also covers the wider steps you can take to reduce risk at home and while moving around.
By Nan J. Corbo | ✅ Reviewed by Ray Butcher |
SeniorFitness is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Before You Walk: Make Sure the Cane Fits
A cane that is too high or too low can make your walking pattern awkward and make it harder to use the support effectively. MedlinePlus recommends standing upright in your normal footwear with your arms relaxed at your sides. The cane handle should be around the level of your wrist, and your elbow should be slightly bent when you hold the handle.
If the cane is adjustable, make sure the height-setting mechanism is fully locked before you put weight through it. Also check the cane tip or ferrule. It should be secure and have enough tread to grip the floor rather than being worn smooth.
Different designs suit different needs. If you are still deciding what style to use, our guide to the types of walking canes explains single-point, multi-point, folding and other common designs. One existing example is the BeneCane Walking Cane, but fit and support needs matter more than choosing a particular brand.
How to Use a Cane: 4 Basic Steps
The basic walking pattern is easier to remember once you understand what the cane is doing. When one leg is weaker or painful, the cane works with that leg while being held in the opposite hand. This creates a wider, more stable base of support as you step.
1. Hold the Cane on the Opposite Side
If your left leg is weaker or painful, hold the cane in your right hand. If your right leg is affected, hold the cane in your left hand. This opposite-side technique is the standard pattern described by MedlinePlus and allows the cane to share some of the load as the affected leg moves.
2. Move the Cane and Weaker Leg Forward Together
Move the cane forward as you step with your weaker or affected leg. The cane tip and that foot should land at roughly the same forward position rather than leaving the cane far out in front of you.
3. Put Some Weight Through the Cane
With the cane tip planted securely, use the cane to take some pressure off the weaker leg if that is why it was prescribed or recommended. Keep your grip firm but comfortable and avoid reaching so far forward that you have to lean after the cane.
4. Step Through With the Stronger Leg
Step past the cane with your stronger leg, then repeat the sequence: cane and weaker leg together, followed by the stronger leg. Look ahead as you walk rather than watching your feet continuously, and give yourself time to develop a comfortable rhythm.
Which Side Should You Hold a Cane On?
For weakness, pain or injury affecting one leg, the cane is generally held on the opposite side. So, for a painful right knee, the usual position is the left hand. The cane then moves forward with the right leg.
This rule is useful for many people, but it is not a substitute for individual rehabilitation advice. If you have had surgery, have weakness on both sides, use the cane mainly for balance rather than one painful leg, or have a neurological condition affecting your gait, a physical therapist or occupational therapist may recommend a pattern specific to you.
How to Use a Cane on Stairs
Stairs require a slightly different sequence. Use a handrail whenever one is available and take the steps one at a time. A simple memory aid is “up with the strong, down with the weak.”
Going Up Stairs
- Hold the handrail if one is available, with the cane in your other hand.
- Step up first with your stronger leg.
- Bring your weaker leg up to the same step.
- Bring the cane up to the same step.
- Pause if needed before repeating the sequence.
Going Down Stairs
- Place the cane down onto the next step.
- Move your weaker or affected leg down next.
- Bring your stronger leg down to the same step.
- Take one step at a time and use the handrail where possible.
If stairs do not feel stable even with a cane and handrail, do not force the technique. Ask a rehabilitation professional to watch you use the stairs and determine whether a different mobility aid or strategy would be safer.
How to Step Up or Down a Curb
The same principle applies to a single step or curb. Going up, lead with the stronger leg and then bring the weaker leg and cane up to meet it. Going down, place the cane down first, move the weaker leg down, then follow with the stronger leg.
How to Use a Cane With a Bad Knee
If one knee is painful or weaker, the cane is generally held in the opposite hand. For example, with right-knee pain, hold the cane on the left and move the cane forward as the right leg steps. This can allow you to put some pressure through the cane while the affected leg is bearing weight.
Knee pain has many causes, and the amount of weight you should put through a cane can vary. After knee surgery or a significant injury, follow the walking-aid instructions from your surgeon or rehabilitation team rather than changing devices or technique on your own.
How to Use a Cane for Balance
A cane can be useful when you need a modest amount of extra stability, even if one leg is not clearly injured. In that situation, correct height, secure grip and a sound cane tip are particularly important. Avoid placing the cane so far from your body that you have to lean toward it to find support.
A cane does not provide the same amount of support as a walker. MedlinePlus advises that people with substantial pain, weakness or balance problems may need crutches or a walker instead. If you are repeatedly grabbing furniture, losing your balance despite the cane, or having new falls, that is a good reason to have your mobility needs reassessed rather than simply gripping the cane harder.
Common Cane Mistakes to Avoid
- Holding the cane on the weaker side: when one leg is affected, the usual technique is to hold the cane on the opposite side.
- Using the wrong height: the handle should generally be around wrist level with a slight bend in the elbow.
- Reaching too far forward: keep the cane close enough that you remain upright rather than leaning toward it.
- Using a worn cane tip: replace a tip that is loose, cracked or worn smooth.
- Looking down constantly: check obstacles, but keep your gaze generally forward as you walk.
- Rushing stairs: use the handrail where available and take one step at a time.
- Using a cane when you need more support: worsening weakness or balance problems may call for a different mobility aid.
If you are unsure whether you need a mobility cane or a lighter recreational stick, see our guide to choosing between a cane and a walking stick. If a broader base has been recommended for extra stability, you can also review our guide to quad canes.
When to Get Professional Help
General cane technique is useful to know, but individual needs vary. Consider asking a doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist for advice if you are starting to use a cane after surgery or injury, have fallen recently, have new or worsening balance problems, have weakness affecting both sides, or cannot walk safely with one cane.
If the cane itself causes persistent hand, wrist, shoulder or back discomfort, have the height, handle and walking technique checked rather than assuming the discomfort is simply part of using a mobility aid.
How to Use a Cane FAQ
Do you use a cane on the weak side or strong side?
When one leg is weaker or painful, the cane is generally held in the hand on the stronger, opposite side. The cane moves forward with the weaker leg.
How high should a cane be?
With your normal shoes on and your arms relaxed, the handle should generally be around wrist level. Your elbow should remain slightly bent when you hold the handle.
Which leg goes first when using a cane?
During normal walking, move the cane and your weaker or affected leg forward together. Then step through with your stronger leg.
What is the correct way to go up and down stairs with a cane?
Going up, lead with the stronger leg, then bring up the weaker leg and cane. Going down, place the cane down first, then the weaker leg, followed by the stronger leg. Use a handrail whenever one is available.
How do I know if a cane is not enough support?
If you still have substantial weakness or balance problems, repeatedly lose your balance, rely heavily on furniture, or continue to fall, a cane may not provide enough support. A clinician or rehabilitation professional can assess whether a walker, crutches or another aid is more appropriate.
Final Thoughts
The essentials of using a cane are simple: set it to the right height, hold it opposite the weaker leg, move the cane with that leg, and let the stronger leg step through. On stairs, lead with the stronger leg going up and with the cane and weaker leg going down.
The harder question is whether a cane provides the right amount of support for you. If it does not feel stable, your mobility is changing, or you are recovering from surgery or a significant injury, individual fitting and gait advice are worth getting. For authoritative general instructions, see MedlinePlus guidance on using a cane.
