I think I caught the Smithsonian Channel/Egyptologists in a flaw about Tut - his walking canes

[UTUSN]

Last edited Mon Sep 17, 2018, 11:25 AM - Edit history (2)

I'm right-handed, use a walking cane.

My fractured fibula was on the *left* side. All the twinges, false steps, whatever are on the LEFT side.

The purpose of the cane is to TAKE WEIGHT *OFF* the weak side. Meaning that I use the cane on the LEFT side, not my right-handed side.

So (that's another topic), the excellent documentary about Tut mentioned that about a thousand? walking canes were in his tomb, fine. And then this excellent documentary went on to perform wonderful virtual autopsies and then to flesh out what he looked like, ending up with a full body body of his body. Fine.

So this is about walking canes. They went on and on about his "club foot" on the left side. Fine. Then they unveiled the full body reconstruction of Tut with a *CANE*. Except that the cane was on the OTHER side.

I'm just saying, that when you walk you use the cane on the WEAK side to take WEIGHT OFF the weak side.

Now, I'm sure I'll be corrected here.

********ON EDIT: adding graphic from DUer Donkees, post #23:

[dchill]

1. I think you're correct.

That's how it worked for me.

[UTUSN]

4. Thank you. See me quarrel, below.

[torius]

2. Having recently injured my knee

Having recently injured my knee I just started to use a cane and sometimes a single crutch ( it’s really better to use to crutches ) and you aresupposed to use them on the strong, “good”side. Most of what we see in movies is incorrect, as they show them using a cane or single crutch on the weak side so as to shift your body weight to the strong side. If you look up how to use a cane, everything says this. There, now you’re corrected!

[UTUSN]

5. Uh, you're not convincing me. The cane/whatever is to take weight OFF the weak side.

[torius]

18. Try Googling

Every single medical as well as non-medical source says this, there is no controversy or disagreement. I did not make it up. My fiercest instinct was to use it on the weak knee. After looking it up I switched, and it works way better.

[UTUSN]

19. Didn't mean to sound rude.

[Me.]

3. I Saw An Image Of Him With 2 Canes

The latest theory about his injury, aside from the club foot is that he was the product of generations of incest and inherited epilepsy, both of which combined to weaken his system and make him vulnerable to injuries and one from the chariot accident which many believe led to his death.

[UTUSN]

6. Yip, we saw the same show. What about the cane?

[Me.]

13. I Bow To Your KNowledge About Cane Use

though as I said, I saw an image of him with canes on either side. Also, which injury was mainly being supported, the foot or the knee?

[UTUSN]

14. I saw *one* cane, on the right side. His club foot was the other side.

The fractured knee was on the right, iirc.

[dchill]

7. From orthoinfo. (You're correct.)

When standing up straight, the top of your cane should reach to the crease in your wrist. Your elbow should be slightly bent when you hold your cane. Hold the cane in the hand opposite the side that needs support. For example, if your right leg is injured, hold the cane in your left hand.

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/how-to-use-crutches-canes-and-walkers/

[UTUSN]

8. Thank you/I think, but "cane/opposite side/needs support" - opposite to MY experience/argument!1

For me, the cane TAKES WEIGHT OFF the weak side.

[dchill]

10. Wow. I saw what I wanted to see, I guess...

Again, my experience was the opposite. I had a mini stroke, and my right side was affected. I used the crutch, then the cane on that side. Nothing else would have helped. I still think you're right. I know it.

[Kali]

9. I just started physical therapy for a crapped out knee

and the therapist was trying to talk me into using a cane, I said I would try but I am such an uncoordinated doofus it probably wouldn't work. They gave me a couple "lessons" for it anyway and I was surprised that for my left knee I was supposed to have the cane on my right side and use my right hand.

[UTUSN]

11. Hoo-kay, well, you're a credible Loungeteer, but all I can testify to is my experience.

As for being "an uncoordinated doofus" I would challenge you and whomever for that title. When I was in the ER, they tried to get me to use crutches, and that was totally out of the doofus question, would have gone flat on the face. Nope, nup, nada.

I don't know what to say about the side to use, but the cane on the weak side for me is a wonder.

[Kali]

15. using it on the injured side is my instinct too!

I need my hands for other stuff so not really using it, I tend to break and knock over enough stuff with out a long stick to wave around!

they told me to practice like this: 1 2 3 ... 1 is cane, 2 is bad leg, 3 is good leg ...1 2 3 ... cane, bad (left), good (right), cane, left, right, cane, left, right etc

[UTUSN]

12. So the Lounge consensus is opposite to me. Fine. Am keeping on keeping on!1

I just don't grok how a stick on the STRONG side helps anything!1 But that's just me!1

[WePurrsevere]

16. It does seem counterintuitive but there's logic to it....

Maybe this will help you understand why.
http://www.professionalptandtraining.com/general-health-information/why-is-my-cane-on-the-other-hand/

[UTUSN]

17. Well, I'll re-read' cause I'm confused. It talks about back/muscle

which isn't on my radar. Maybe tomorrow, tnx

[kydo]

20. Cool. I am not the only one who watches this channel.

[UTUSN]

21. Dish has just let me have it, don't know if temporarily. These "Secrets" (the Ancients) and "Sacred

Sites" are enlightening and gorgeously filmed. The bio of Cleopatra was mesmerizing - with all the murder and intrigue of her family, her Pharaoh father having to kiss the ring of Roman senators to regain his throne, and her not having kept the suicide pact with Antony until after Octavian rejected her. He was nineteen and seemed to run away from her, unlike Caesar and Antony, probably because she was too much woman for him. He probably preferred video games.

Plus, if Tut was using his canes on the opposite side, it was probably because he Googled it.

[kydo]

26. I saw the Cleopatra series.

I like the Sacred Sites too. Also enjoyed the pacific war in color. Oddly Ariel America is not as boring as the title sounds.

Either Natgeo or the Science channel had an interesting program on Hatshepsut.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

22. Good explanation from Wikipedia. Thanks, I learned something today!

Assistive cane
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_cane

Handedness

Canes are generally held in the hand that is opposite to the side of the injury or weakness. It allows the cane to be used for stability in a way that lets the user focus much of their weight away from their weaker side and onto the cane. This prevents the person's center of balance from swaying from side to side as they walk. It also allows for fluid movement that better matches walking, as the hand on the opposite side of the leg generally sways forward in normal human locomotion . Personal preference, or a need to hold the cane in the dominant hand means some cane users choose to hold the cane on the same side as the affected leg.

And one of their references is:

How to Safely Walk With a Cane
By Laura Inverarity, DO
https://www.verywellhealth.com/walking-with-a-cane-2696294

Here is how you walk properly with a cane:

* Hold the cane in the hand on your unaffected side so that it provides support to the opposite lower limb
* Advance the cane simultaneously with the leg opposite affected, or injured, lower limb
* Lean your weight through the arm holding the cane as needed
* Always have the unaffected lower limb assume the first full weight-bearing step on level surfaces

I'm like you, I would have almost instinctively used a cane on the weak side, but after reading these articles, it makes sense to do the opposite. But, that would take a little practice to shift our weight off the weak side by shifting our center of gravity.

..........

[UTUSN]

25. That's the clearest, convincing. *AND* gives me the "preference" as my option. Thanks.

My choice is the intuitive one for me, while also freeing my dominant right hand for reaching for things, door knobs and such. Here, reversing "the dominant hand".

"Personal preference, or a need to hold the cane in the dominant hand means some cane users choose to hold the cane on the same side as the affected leg."

[KY_EnviroGuy]

27. This also occurred to me that if one has damage to....

one of the arms such as damaged wrist, elbow or shoulder, that would affect the choice.

For example, a friend with a weak knee has a torn rotator cuff so it wouldn't be wise for her to use that arm with a cane.

I've noticed too that as I've gotten older (70 now), my balance is not as good as before, so that creates new dangers. I'm trying to do balance exercises in the mornings and that helps me to be more stable.

Best of luck!

[Donkees]

23. Tut Club-foot photo and video:

[UTUSN]

24. Thank you, that's what I saw. Am adding it to the o.p. with credit to you.