Cane cave

I never thought it would happen, but it did. Today I bought a cane.

More than five years ago, my orthopedist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis mentioned that I would likely need a cane at some point to take pressure off my arthritic right hip.

No way, I thought. Some people might need a cane, but not me. I’ve worked too long and too hard to remain mobile. I will not rely on some stick to get around.

Since then, several doctors have suggested the cane option, and I dismissed each in turn, focusing instead on my daily exercise regimen and the occasional dose of ibuprofen.

This spring, my family visited Washington, DC. As we walked from one site to the next, I tired easily and was always searching for a place to rest. My daughter, J, offered me her arm to lean upon, and I gratefully accepted. But I felt old and – worse -- not able.

When I visited my orthopedist recently, she observed that walking seems to be a “great effort” for me. We talked about a cane and, before I knew it, I was asking her to prescribe one for me.

I have returned to Doug for another round of physical therapy sessions – to treat a muscle spasm in my neck, but also to continue work on my hip and gait.

During my evaluation, Doug noted that I do not bend my right knee when I walk; instead I swing my right leg outward in a half circle – which explains why I keep stubbing my toe and/or cracking my knee on doorways. Now that I’m aware of this, I constantly catch myself and must consciously think to bend that knee as I walk.

Bottom line: I am starting to realize that I’ve been in semi-denial. Exercise is helpful, but it cannot change the fact that there is a hip replacement in my future.

Between now and then, though, there are other options that can bring relief: medication, cortisone and, yes, using a cane.

So, now that fall has arrived, I’m tired of shying away from activities that require a lot of walking. Instead, I will use my new cane as needed to enjoy the State Fair with my family, and accept my friend’s invitation to Raleigh’s downtown ghost walk -- arthritis be damned!