The Side Effects Of Using A Cane

Below are detailed explorations of the major side effects and complications that may arise with cane use.

Musculoskeletal Stress and Fatigue

Using the cane, you transfer some of the load which your legs would otherwise support to your upper extremity, the wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder. This, in the long run, may cause injuries of overuse, exhaustion, and pain in those areas. Research and self-reported evidence suggests that the side effect of cane usage most frequently reported is shoulder pain.

Furthermore, the muscles resisting the trunk have to now tolerate minor asymmetries in loading. This additional recruitment may result in low back pains, muscle fatigue or even compensatory muscle hyper-activity on one side. Muscle activity in lower limbs can decrease in patients who use two canes resulting in deconditioning of leg muscles.

The user can strangle the cane too hard or lean forward awkwardly which all adds to the strain in case the cane is not adjusted to the right height or the grip is not optimal.

Joint Stress and Overload

Transferring weight onto the wrist and elbow can escalate joint stress in these areas. Compression or irritation of nerves , such as the ulnar or median nerve ,  may result in tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or forearms. Hand therapy specialists note that cane use can aggravate these compressive stresses. Hand Therapy Group

Also, if a cane is held too rigidly or without frequent micro-adjustment, the impact during each step is less shock-absorbed, putting stress on joints. Over time, even the shoulder or elbow joints may show wear or inflammation.

In addition, uneven weight distribution can impose asymmetric loading on hip, knee, or ankle joints. If one side is bearing more load (for instance, the “good” leg), degenerative changes or overuse injuries may emerge in those joints over the long term.

Postural Alterations & Balance Disruption

Persistent use of a cane, especially if poorly adjusted, can subtly alter your posture. You may lean slightly toward the cane side, twist your torso, or adopt uneven spinal curvature to accommodate. Such postural deviations gradually reinforce asymmetry.

In studies of post-stroke individuals, those who used a cane often demonstrated worse balance and reduced social participation compared to those who walked unaided (or with improved balance). PubMed This suggests that, in some contexts, cane reliance can slow recovery of natural gait symmetry.

A related concern: handling the cane (lifting, planting) can destabilize your center of mass if done improperly, sometimes increasing fall risk rather than reducing it. Physical Rehabilitation Services Especially among elderly users, apparently stabilizing devices, when misused, may become destabilizers.

Changes in gait and less ability to move around

A cane changes the way you walk naturally. You can walk slower, take shorter steps, or change your cadence to make room for the cane. This is corroborated by observational gait studies.

Reduced gait dynamics can cause less cardiovascular conditioning, less muscular conditioning, and less endurance over time. Users may avoid longer walks or uneven ground, which makes it even harder for them to get around.

Using two canes instead of one has been shown to greatly lower muscle activation in the lower limbs, which could speed up deconditioning. If the cane becomes a crutch that the user relies on too much, they may not use their leg muscles enough, which will make them weaker over time.

 Increased Fall & Injury Risk

Paradoxically, assistive devices like canes are implicated in fall-related injuries in older adults. In the U.S., about 47,312 older adults with fall injuries associated with walking aids are treated in emergency departments annually; though most involve walkers rather than canes, about 12.3% are cane-related.

Some studies suggest that incorrect use or nonuse of a cane at key moments leads to more severe injuries. For instance, in one survey, 75% of respondents who fell weren’t using their cane at the time. Others link assistive device use with balance interference or delayed stepping responses. 

Because falls with assistive devices might lead to greater injury (e.g. fractures) if the device fails or trips, the stakes are higher.

 Psychological & Social Side Effects

Beyond physical effects, cane use can invoke stigma, anxiety, or reduced social participation. Some users feel “old” or “disabled” and may resist using the cane, especially in public settings. This can lead to selective non-use, increasing fall risk. 

Additionally, users may limit their activities to avoid reliance on the cane, leading to social withdrawal or reduced physical activity. This psychological burden can subtly worsen quality of life.