attention all writers and directors of a medical show. People who need a cane use it on the opposite side of the injury. Right side hurt--cane on left. Left side hurt--cane on right. You'd think that someone would consult with a real Dr. or therapist or heaven forfend..., a real cripple about something so simple. What a glaring and stupid error for a supposedly well researched medical program.

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From the Official House Website (@ Fox.com):

Q: House holds his cane in the wrong hand!

A: Okay, not exactly a question, but something we hear quite often. We know. The Powers That Be know. Hugh Laurie knows. In fact, he addressed this particular issue in an interview with Jay Leno on November 16, 2005. Yes, canes are typically held in the hand opposite the injured leg. Word has it on the street (and in some of the many threads arguing this issue) that some people prefer to hold the cane in their dominant hand, regardless of the affected leg, and that some physical therapists endorse this practice. Hugh’s explanation for it was that House doesn’t seem the kind of guy to ever do anything the typical way, and that he does it just to miff all the physical therapists watching the show (said with a great deal of sarcasm and charm, and course).

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For the record, I've got a messed up right arm and leg and when I find myself using a cane or one crutch it's always in my right hand. (Which is also my dominant hand!)

I'm a "real cripple" and I say use the damn cane however you feel comfortable and safe!

It isn't bad research it was something Hugh Laurie intentionally did. I agree with him - that is something House would do.

From the Official House Website (@ Fox.com):

Q: House holds his cane in the wrong hand!

A: Okay, not exactly a question, but something we hear quite often. We know. The Powers That Be know. Hugh Laurie knows. In fact, he addressed this particular issue in an interview with Jay Leno on November 16, 2005. Yes, canes are typically held in the hand opposite the injured leg. Word has it on the street (and in some of the many threads arguing this issue) that some people prefer to hold the cane in their dominant hand, regardless of the affected leg, and that some physical therapists endorse this practice. Hugh's explanation for it was that House doesn't seem the kind of guy to ever do anything the typical way, and that he does it just to miff all the physical therapists watching the show (said with a great deal of sarcasm and charm, and course).

-------------------------

For the record, I've got a messed up right arm and leg and when I find myself using a cane or one crutch it's always in my right hand. (Which is also my dominant hand!)

I'm a "real cripple" and I say use the damn cane however you feel comfortable and safe!
[/quote]

Not to put too fine a point on a trivial issue, but I'm also a "real cripple' like violet, although w/o the option of being able to say 'when I find myself using a cane or one crutch'.
We "cripples", who must always use such to ambulate know that there's a reason every PT & OT out there insist that the device goes on the opposite side of the injury. Otherwise, the patients hips and spinal alignment are out of whack and even more pain and injury will follow. House, as the ultimate hedonist, sure ain't into more pain and inconvenience. After 17 years, I've yet to hear one med. professional recommend that a patient could "use the damn cane however you feel..."
More inportantly for House, it's also very tiring. While H. Laurie may have come up with this 'I ment it that way' answer, I doubt that House would do anything that caused him more pain and exhaustion. Let's face it, he's going to go the easiest route and that's got nothing to do with med. opinion. The fact is that the easiest, least painful or tiring way (if you use it all the time) is the opposite of H.L.'s big fat on screen mistake. He's not alone, it's that way in lots of movies and TV whows.