Right Leg Wrong Leg

[ImLostAgain]

A few friends came around to see me today to see how I was getting on after my accident on Monday. One of them brought a walking stick to see if it helped, it did.
There then followed a discussion on how to use walking sticks!
Oh what exciting lives we lead.
Anyway, as my left arm is in a sling the stick is obviously in my right hand. One chap said the stick should always be used on the 'bad' legs side. Another said it should only be used on the opposite side to the 'bad' leg. Many theories were put forward to back up the opposite points of view.
A jolly time was had by all. Maybe because the christmas tinnies were going down well.
Does it matter which side it's used on. What do you good people think?

[Canary42]

I use one occasionally when my hip is bad, on the same side as the bad leg, to take some of the weight.

[tindrum]

Opposite side to your bad leg always

[anneasquith]

The same side as the ‘ bad leg’, the walking stick is to support the bad leg . I hope you recover soon from your accident .

[roopower]

My right hip needs replacing and I usually use a frame of some sort but if I do use one stick I find sometimes it helps more to have it in my left hand. Depends on how things are on the day.

[Electrochem]

Always on the opposite side of the bad leg.

https://www.bluebadgecompany.co.uk/pages/walking-stick-guide#:~:text=Use%20Your%20Stick%20on%20the%20Opposite%20Side&text=The%20stick%20should%20go%20on,more%20to%20the%20stronger%20side.

[ImLostAgain]

This is great (in the good sense), it seems like I'm sitting through the discussion all over again.
Thanks all.

[THECORBYLOON]

"If using one stick for pain or weakness:

Hold your walking stick in the opposite hand to your weak or painful leg.Always move the stick forward first followed by the weak or painful leg, then your other leg.

If using a walking stick for your balance:

Hold the stick in your most comfortable hand.Always move the stick forward first then the opposite leg."

https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/physiotherapy-msk/walking-aids-walking-stick/

[Milo2]

After breaking his ankle, my husband was told by the physiotherapist to use the walking stick on the opposite side to his injury.

[Khandro]

It's very simple really;

You put your left leg in
Your left leg out
In, out, in, out
You shake it all about
You do the hokey cokey
And you turn around
That's what it's all about
Woah, the hokey cokey
Woah, the hokey cokey
Woah, the hokey cokey
Knees bent
Arms stretched
Ra-ra-ra


Merry Christmas!

[Peter Pedant]

If you use it on the bad side - you are using it as a crutch - it isnt, it is a stick. The stick is on the ground when the good foot is - and so it doesnt bear any (cripple) weight
so....
You use it on the good side. NOW the stick is one the ground as the bad leg moves forward AND you are leaning more on good side to take the weight off ( the bad)
easy - paradise - correct use

[Peter Pedant]

erm great majority
use it on the good side

I mean if you want, use it as a pair of horns. Be careful about going thro doors

No one here will complain

[andy-hughes]

I guess whichever side anyone holds a stick that makes them more comfortable, is the 'right' side.

[Hopkirk]

Is there actually any point in a stick?
If you need support, surely you need crutches?

[Old_Geezer]

Sounds to me like the solution is simple. Use two sticks if you can, otherwise use it in the hand you are able

[ladybirder]

ILA, I keep swapping mine from side to side as my arms starts to ache after a while. To be honest I don't notice much difference.