Canes and walkers are good options for many people with multiple sclerosis, and other mobility tools are gaining acceptance
By Quinn Phillips
Medically Reviewed by Samuel Mackenzie, MD, PhD
Trekking poles can be a good option for people with mildly impaired balance.Antonio Guillem Fernandez/Alamy
If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll experience fatigue or problems with your balance when walking. Years ago, you’d likely be told to start using a cane — and then maybe a walker if your symptoms worsened. While canes and walkers are still important tools, there are now more assistive devices to consider than ever before.
The right device for you will depend on the exact nature of your MS symptoms, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences. To make sure you’re making the best possible choice, it’s useful to see a physical therapist with experience working with people with multiple sclerosis.
“Most insurance covers physical therapy evaluations, so asking your neurologist or family doctor for that referral really is the best thing to do, rather than guessing,” says Briana Read, a physical therapist at the Ohio State University Multiple Sclerosis Center at Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
A physical therapist can observe you to make sure you’re using a device correctly when you try it out, and help you decide what factors matter most in making your decision, Read explains.
While many of Read’s patients with MS are eager to try new walking aids, others “feel like they’re going to lose their independence if they have to use a mobility device,” she says. This is ironic, she notes, since mobility devices can enhance your independence by taking some of the difficulty and worry out of walking.
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