Using a cane reduces demands on which muscle group?

Using a cane reduces demands on which muscle group?

• A. Hip flexors
• B. Ankle dorsiflexors
• C. Hip external rotators
• D. Hip abductors

Answer: (D)

Using a cane provides external support that shares some of the weight and lateral load during walking. This reduces the sideways force the stance leg’s pelvis must counter to keep the pelvis level, so the hip abductors don’t have to work as hard. The main benefit is a lighter demand on the gluteus medius/minimus to stabilize the pelvis in stance. Other muscle groups listed aren’t primarily affected by this assist—the ankle dorsiflexors, hip flexors, and hip external rotators aren’t the main drivers for the assistive effect of a cane.

Using a cane provides external support that shares some of the weight and lateral load during walking. This reduces the sideways force the stance leg’s pelvis must counter to keep the pelvis level, so the hip abductors don’t have to work as hard. The main benefit is a lighter demand on the gluteus medius/minimus to stabilize the pelvis in stance. Other muscle groups listed aren’t primarily affected by this assist—the ankle dorsiflexors, hip flexors, and hip external rotators aren’t the main drivers for the assistive effect of a cane.