Standard (straight) canes
Prescription by provider requesting a straight cane (standard cane) either aluminum (adjustable height) or wood (non-adjustable).
Consider in patients without the need for an upper extremity to bear weight
Offset canes
Distributes pt's weight over shaft of cane
Good for pts who need UE to occasionally bear weight (ie pts with knee or hip OA)
Quadripod canes
4-legged canes good for providing a larger base of support
Can stand freely on its own if pt needs to use both hands and good for pts with hemiplegia
If all points of the cane are not on the ground at same time, then it won't work properly (ie. going up or down an incline)
Notes.
Umbrella handles can increase the risk of carpal tunnel. Consider shotgun handles or special handles with finger and thumb grooves to ensure pts use the cane in the corrent hand (ie ipsilateral to the injured or lame limb)
For more information, see Cam Hernandez' article in AAFP!