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A quad cane, which has four tips, provides a broader base of support. But that type of cane can be heavier and more cumbersome to use. Quad canes may help lower the risk of falls in people who are recovering from a stroke.
Stroke survivors would benefit the most from quad canes. Anyone with a long term illness that required them to be in bed for a long period of time would also need a quad can to help them retain their mobility.
The best cane for a stroke patient will depend on their needs and physical capabilities. Single-point and pivot canes are good for pain-related issues, quad canes are good for balance, and other types of canes (like seat canes or hemi walkers) are good for people needing help with both pain and stability.
In one study with stroke patients, cane use promoted normal walking motion, helping them move more safely and with a lowered fall risk. Strokes cause hemiparesis- the partial loss of feeling or paralysis in the limbs.
Single-point cane: More efficient but less stable (obviously!). Three-legged (tripod) cane: This type of cane has three points. Quad cane: offers more stability with four points of contact (tips) with the ground. So, it has broad base and gives more stability.
It is common for recovery professionals to invite the patient to leave the cane as soon as possible to demonstrate that they have achieved greater autonomy. The patient himself often identifies the cane as a sign of disability and getting rid of it has a more moral than technical meaning.
Hemi-Walkers and Quad Canes - When the stroke victim is paralyzed and does not have good use of one side such in the case of hemiplegia or hemiparesis, then a hemi-walker or quad cane may be needed.
The findings of this study show that the immediate effect of ambulating with a standard cane is to improve gait symmetry in patients with subacute stroke and asymmetric gait. In addition, the use of a quad cane had minimal effects on symmetry and decreased walking velocity in these patients.
Each patient completed three consecutive days of walking with a randomly assigned singlepoint cane, quad cane, or hemi-walker. We measured the oxygen expenditure and oxygen cost using a portable gas analyzer and heart rate during a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and a 10-m walk test (10MWT).
Stroke reduces mobility in over half of survivors ages 65 and older. Stroke survivors may experience physical or cognitive deficits that impact their independence with mobility, self-care, home management, and community engagement.