How to Fit a Walking Cane Properly? | Wrist-Crease Method

Getting the height right on a walking cane is the difference between comfort and a sore back, shoulder, or wrist. A cane that’s too tall makes you hunch; one that’s too short forces you to lean. Here is the exact process, plus the adjustment steps that keep the fit locked in.

The Wrist-Crease Rule For Cane Height

The rule is simple: when you stand upright with your shoes on and your arms hanging loosely at your sides, the top of the cane handle should sit right at the crease of your wrist.

How To Measure And Set The Height

Fit the cane while wearing the shoes you’ll actually use with it.

1. Put on your normal shoes and stand up straight with your shoulders relaxed and arms at your sides.
2. Check the handle position. The top of the grip should line up with the crease of your wrist.
3. Confirm the elbow bend. Hold the cane and look at your elbow — it should have a slight bend of roughly 15 to 20 degrees.
4. Adjust if needed. On an adjustable cane, press the push button, slide the shaft to the proper hole, and make sure the button fully snaps into place. Tighten any locking ring or collar afterward.

After adjusting, stand and recheck both the wrist alignment and the elbow angle.

Which Hand Holds The Cane?

Hold the cane in the hand opposite your weaker or injured leg. If your right knee is sore, the cane goes in your left hand. This lets the cane and the weaker leg swing forward together, mimicking a natural walking rhythm and offloading weight from the affected side.

Place the tip slightly out to the side of your body rather than directly in front of you. Walking with the cane too far forward throws off your balance and slows your stride.

Common Fitting Mistakes To Avoid

Most fit problems trace back to a few repeat errors. Setting the height too high or low makes you lean or lock your elbow. Holding the cane on the same side as the weak leg puts unnecessary strain on the injured side. And on adjustable canes, skipping the final lock check means the height can shift mid-walk.

If you’re shopping and want to start with a properly sized model, our roundup of tested adjustable walking canes for women covers options with easy height adjustments and solid grip designs.