Cane Techniques Flashcards
(25 cards)
Basic Diagonal Technique- Index Finger Grasp
suggested user is
environment is
pros is
cons is
people with no shoulder abnormalities
indoor, familiar areas with no unknown drop-offs
good introduction to the long cane, good buffer in familiar areas
lacks ability to discern drop-offs consistently
Basic Diagonal Tech.- Thumb Grasp
Suggested user
environment is
pro is
cons is
people with shoulder anomalies
indoor, familiar areas, ascending stairs
easy to learn
difficult to keep can tip from getting behind user when trailing or contacting objects
Basic Diagonal Tech.- pencil Grasp
suggested user is
environment is
pros is
cons is
people with good fine motor and finger dexterity
indoor, familiar areas, ascending stairs, crowded areas
fairly easy to learn
difficult for some to maintain while walking
Basic Two-Point Touch Technique- Whole hand
suggested user
environment is
cons is
people of all ages
indoors or outdoors, familiar or unfamiliar areas
hard to learn at first, hard to monitor arc height/width
Basic Two-Point Touch Technique- Fingertip
Suggested user is
environment is
pros is
people with good manual dexterity and no neuropathy
indoors or outdoors, familiar or unfamiliar areas
easy to learn at first, arc height/width easy to maintain and monitor
Basic Two-Point Touch Technique- Constant contact
Siggested user is
environment is
pros is
cons is
people with neuropathy or poor dexterity
indoors or outdoors
easiest on smooth surfaces or rough surfaces if standard cane tip is changed to roller ball or marshmallow tip
sticks in cracks, sidewalks, requires sustained motor control, difficulty staying “in-step”
Basic Two-Point Touch Technique- Touch and Slide
suggested user is
environment is
pros is
all cane users
indoors or outdoors, familiar or unfamiliar areas
assists in detecting drop-offs
Three point touch technique
suggested user is
environment is
pros are
all cane users who have good coordination and dexterity
indoors or outdoors, familiar or unfamiliar areas
assist in locating surfaces along one’s side and above the feet
Three point touch technique- Touch and drag
Suggested user is
environment is
pros are
all cane users who have good coordination and dexterity
indoors or outdoors, unfamiliar or familiar areas
assists in shore lining and detecting drop offs to one’s side
Three point touch technique-One down/One up
suggested users is
environment is
pros are
all cane users who have good coordination and dexterity
indoors or outdoors, familiar or unfamiliar areas
assists in shore lining and detecting drop offs to one’s side
Nylon pencil tip is good for
nylon roller ball, teardrop and marshmallow is good for
smooth survaces, tile, pavement
rougher surfaces, gravel, brick, pave,ent, broken sidewalks
Two point touch
Grasp is the way to
the grip is where the cane
hold or grasp a long cane is different depending on the technique or situation
held or GRASPED.
The cane should be held
firmly
dominant hand
Two point touch grasp and hand position
the cane is
the hand should be
palm turned
grasped in the dominant hand with the index finger extended
centered at wait high at midline
laterally toward opposite side
Two point touch
Index finger extended
extended away from the
downward along the flat side of the grip
body so that the hand/cane form a straight line
Two point touch
Arc Width
this movement moves the cane from side to side creating an arc
the width of the ARC should be
flexing, extending, hyperextending the wrist
1-inch beyond the widest part of the body
Two point touch
Arc height
as the cane is moved from the beginning of the arc width it is
raised slightly at the apex of the arc and then touches the walking surface at the end of the arc width
Two point touch
Arc height
the height of the arc should be
1 inch when directly in front of the body
Two point touch
In-Step
moving at a steady, normal pace the cane tip touches the
group in front of the trailing foot “previewing” the area before the next foot placement
Two point touch
In-rhythym
the cane tip contacts the ground at the
same moment as the heel of the forward (leading) foot
Two point touch
best position to evaluate hand position
best position to evaluate arc width
front
back
Two point touch
if the end of the tip is not at base of palm it results in
shortening the length of the cane extension and reaction time
Two point touch
if the hand position is not centered or midline it will result in
inefficient movement, poor arc width control
Two point touch
rolling the wrist- not keeping wrist centered with palm facing laterally results in
poor control, arc height too high, potential problems with repetitive motion
