The Question of House’s Cane
The show House has advisors to keep the show’s medical references accurate, but has anyone ever addressed the matter of House’s improper use of the cane? I had wondered about it myself a time or two, but didn’t pay that much attention because it’s not my area of expertise. But I just got a message from a real-life physical therapist, Dee Dee, so tells us the real scoop about proper cane usage:
I have been watching House since it premiered. I am a Physical Therapist by trade and watching House ambulate with his cane has bothered me since it first came on tv. I was taught in PT school (by lecture, by demonstration and by complicated math problelms) that you always carry your assistive device (i.e. cane) in the hand opposite the injury. House should be using the cane in his left hand NOT his right one. By using the cane that way, it applies less stress and weight on the injured limb, so less pain. Thanks.
Thanks, Dee Dee for the correct information!!
I tend to be generous with these sorts of things when watching TV shows, because without the info from professionals like Dee Dee I wouldn’t really know the difference anyway and I watch the show for the characters.
But now that we know the real cane scoop, what do you think of this information? Does it bother you to know that no one has corrected this? Does it matter to you at all? Leave a comment to share your thoughts!
tv, Television, house tv, House, hugh laurie
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POSTED IN: House Medical Info, House Mistake, House Thoughts, Hugh Laurie
19 opinions for The Question of House’s Cane
KittyLugnut
Mar 24, 2008 at 3:10 pm
As you probably know, this issue was actually addressed in one episode, when House’s shoulder was hurting and the physical therapist put his right arm in a sling and forced him to use a new (and ridiculous) cane on the left side. It didn’t even last half an episode, because House is stubborn and does things his own way even at his own expense. I see it as a character flaw rather than a characterization flaw.
confessing7girl
Mar 24, 2008 at 3:34 pm
This issue is not really a issue anymore… as Kitty mentioned above this while thing about House using his cane at the wrong side was clearly excuse in that episode where he had that shoulder problem.
It was explained… and i know that science is pretty accurate, but i actually know a man that uses his cane in the right same side of his injured leg…
Science is science but there’s always exceptions…
techspeaking
Mar 24, 2008 at 3:35 pm
David Shore actually mentioned it in this article in USA today from 4/17/2005:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-04-17-house-main_x.htm
Claims that while using the cane in the opposite hand is what most people do, some people are just more comfortable using their dominant hand. (But, I have also seen numerous postings from Physical Therapists who swear that Hugh Laurie must be causing himself some severe back strain, if not actual damage, walking as he does)
Mel Mel
Mar 24, 2008 at 5:22 pm
My boyfriend uses a cane for balance as his right leg has problems and guess what? He uses the cane on his right side. He said he was told by his doctor that he should really use it on the left side but he said it never made sense to him as he needs the support on the right side not on the left. So I guess it’s whatever works for you!
JF Trochez
Mar 24, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Having had surgery on my right hip ten years ago, I am periodically in the need of support when the pain becomes more bothersome. Since my injury occurred, I have ALWAYS used a cane for support on my right side. When I used it on the left side, I felt even more pain than before, therefore, House, once again, is right about being right.
Mary
Mar 24, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Since I became hooked on “House M.D.,” I have been catching up with Hugh Laurie’s work on DVD. Interestingly enough, in one movie in which he appeared, “Cousin Bette,” he played a character who, at one point in the story, limped on his right leg, and used a cane in his left hand. So if Gregory House uses his cane incorrectly in his right hand, it’s not because Hugh Laurie doesn’t know which hand to use it in.
KittyLugnut
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Very interesting observation, Mary. I too have been investigating HL’s past work since “discovering” him through House, so I’ll have to put Cousin Bettie on my to-see list. :-)
bertas
Mar 24, 2008 at 10:59 pm
If I remember correctly I think I did read an interview with Hugh Laurie (for the life of me I cannot remember where) when he said he is having problems with his back and whatnot from limping all day long and using cane.
Of course he brushed it aside but me thinks he would brush it aside even if he was in agony. If I remember where I have read it, I’ll leave a link :)
Judith
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:36 am
I remember that on one of the talkshows Hugh Laurie appeared on, he mentioned that even though the advisors on the show tell him to use the cane the right way, he uses it the wrong way on purpose. I don’t know if he gave a reason for that, though. And I think Hugh said that he has a stone in his shoe to ‘help’ him limp.
heather
Mar 25, 2008 at 5:34 am
I also read the article or saw the interview where Hugh mentioned using the cane in the wrong hand on purpose - it helped him to develop the character (the rules don’t apply to House, you know). I’ve also read that he has had back and neck pain from using the cane. I had to use a cane last year for an injury and due to an injury on the “proper” shoulder, had to use the cane with the wrong hand. It was true agony in my neck and upper back from leaning on it all the time.
lola
Mar 25, 2008 at 9:08 am
Yeah, I’ve heard it’s done on purpose, because House goes against the flow. Heh.
Claire
Mar 25, 2008 at 8:12 pm
In an interview with Jay Leno, Hugh Laurie addressed using the cane in the wrong hand–yep, on purpose! He said he did it simply to “annoy physical therapists.” Gotta love him!
Janice
Mar 26, 2008 at 8:10 am
I’m with everyone else and think it is silly that “Dee Dee” didn’t think the show knew exactly what it was doing. I saw/read the same interviews mentioned above where Hugh said the things about House doing things HIS way and them annoying physical therapists. :D Not an issue at all.
Bia
Mar 27, 2008 at 4:40 am
You know, I read at House´s Forum at Fox.com that yes, House uses his cane on the wrong way on purpose, but I also read that, ( and I am NOT a Physic Therapist) if the injury is ABOVE the knee, you gotta use the cane with the hand of the injuried leg, because your knee is fine, it can “handle” the balance of your body.
But if the injury is below the knee, you can´t put your weight on it, because it´ll hurt and PAIN even more.
(People, sorry if that´s anything written wrong here, English is not my mother language =S sorry. )
Grace
Mar 28, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I think and hope that HOUSE will continue for several more seasons. If this is true, I don’t think Hugh should use the cane and rock all the time.
It will cause permanent damage. He recently said that he can’t play the piano for very long because his neck starts hurting. I wonder if that is from the cane or if he had that before? I think I sent Lynn that article.
Meli Melzzzz K.
Apr 18, 2008 at 12:41 am
I’d use the cane like House does it, not because House is House (or Hugh Laurie), just because it seems right that way!
Tinker
Apr 27, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I, too use a cane in my right hand, and my injury is on the right side. I have tried it on the left, but can’t make the adjustment, so I intend to use it in my right hand forever.
Phil C
May 24, 2008 at 10:19 am
I have arthritis pain in my right hip and use a cane on my right (dominant) side. I feel less steady with the cane in my left hand and I can take more weight off my hip by using it on the same side.
random
Jul 30, 2008 at 7:47 am
house uses his right instead of left cuz he has a lacrosse injury in his left shoulder blade.
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