It's really just a matter of UK/US terminology.
I grew up in the UK and to me a walking stick is any one of these:
or these:
Normally used one at a time.
I believe that, in the US, these are referred to as "canes".
And of course I'm familiar with candy canes -
To me, a cane is a thinner piece of wood, often bamboo, that you use in the garden, to support plants:
Then there are hiking/trekking poles :
These are longer than walking sticks and are used in pairs.
In the UK, and in NZ where I live now, after joint replacements many of us only use a walker during our time in hospital. We come home with elbow crutches. We're shown how to use those while in hospital.
They're used in pairs - Denny, maybe that's where you got the impression that we use two sticks?
As recovery progresses, many of us start to use only one, and then progress to using a walking stick/cane, before finally walking without any aid.
I've had fun finding all the images. I hope they've helped to clarify matters.
I grew up in the UK and to me a walking stick is any one of these:
Normally used one at a time.
I believe that, in the US, these are referred to as "canes".
And of course I'm familiar with candy canes -
To me, a cane is a thinner piece of wood, often bamboo, that you use in the garden, to support plants:
Then there are hiking/trekking poles :
These are longer than walking sticks and are used in pairs.
In the UK, and in NZ where I live now, after joint replacements many of us only use a walker during our time in hospital. We come home with elbow crutches. We're shown how to use those while in hospital.
They're used in pairs - Denny, maybe that's where you got the impression that we use two sticks?
As recovery progresses, many of us start to use only one, and then progress to using a walking stick/cane, before finally walking without any aid.
I've had fun finding all the images. I hope they've helped to clarify matters.