Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just nursing a sore leg or knee, a cane can help you maintain mobility. When you use a cane, the load carried by your knees, hips and ankles is significantly reduced. The more weight you put on the cane, the less work your joints are doing with each step. Think of a cane as a third leg, making it easier to balance because your hips and core are no longer responsible for keeping your center of gravity in place. When your hips, back, and abdominals can't keep your center of gravity from shifting, you're much more likely to lose your balance and fall. That's due to an increase in the way your center of gravity shifts naturally as you stand or walk. Unfortunately, most people use a cane incorrectly. Contrary to popular belief, canes aren't meant to be used on the same side as your injury. While it seems logical to want to support the injured leg, you're actually meant to walk with the cane opposite your bad leg so as to lean your weight away from the injury, rather than against the bad leg. It might feel a little awkward at first, but with practice, you should find a cane to be a useful walking tool.