Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
A cane has three parts that matter for identification and replacement: the handle you hold, the shaft that carries the load, and the ferrule (the tip) that meets the floor. Clinic staff and buyers use this page to name each part correctly and to know which dimension has to match when a tip is replaced.
What a cane is
Under the US federal regulation 21 CFR 890.3075, a cane is “a device intended for medical purposes that is used to provide minimal weight support while walking.” The same section classifies it as Class I (general controls) and exempts it from premarket notification, with limited exceptions. Who uses this page: clinics, rehabilitation services and supply buyers.
Parts of a cane and what each does
| Part | What it is | What a public specification says |
|---|---|---|
| Handle | The grip at the top of the cane | Described as “ergonomic” in the MSF procurement specification for an adult adjustable walking stick |
| Shaft | The vertical body between handle and floor | Carbon fiber polymer, metal or composites; adjustable in height, 80 to 95 cm in the same specification |
| Ferrule (tip) | The end cap that contacts the floor | Rubber and non-slip, with an inner diameter of about 19 mm to match the outer diameter of the shaft |
Sellers use “ferrule” and “tip” interchangeably, and other part names (for example collar or crook) are retail vocabulary rather than regulatory terms, so check a product’s own description when ordering.
Materials and adjustable shafts
The MSF specification lists shaft materials as carbon fiber polymer, metal or composites, and sets an adjustable height range of 80 to 95 cm. It is a humanitarian procurement specification for one product, not a universal standard.
Types of canes
Cane types named in the regulation
The FDA does not give a fixed count. Its regulation names these examples: a standard cane, a forearm cane, and a cane with a tripod, quad or retractable stud on the ground end. Cane types therefore differ mainly in how they are held (standard versus forearm) and in what is fitted to the ground end.
- Standard cane
- Forearm cane
- Cane with a tripod on the ground end
- Cane with a quad on the ground end
- Cane with a retractable stud on the ground end
For a fuller walk through the types, see what is a cane. Related aids are covered in ambulatory aids.
What matters when matching a replacement tip
The MSF specification pairs the ferrule’s inner diameter (about 19 mm) with the shaft’s outer diameter, so the tip must fit the shaft it goes on. Measure the shaft before ordering rather than relying on a generic tip size.
Medicare coverage criteria
Medicare’s local coverage determination L33733, Canes and Crutches, covers canes under HCPCS codes E0100 and E0105 when the criteria in the determination are met. The determination does not define cane parts or accessories. See also crutches, canes and ankle braces.
Common mistakes
- Assuming “tip” and “ferrule” are different parts: sellers use them for the same part.
- Ordering a tip without checking the shaft’s outer diameter.
- Treating one product specification as an industry standard.
FAQ
What are the different types of walking canes?
The regulation at 21 CFR 890.3075 names these examples: a standard cane, a forearm cane, and a cane with a tripod, quad or retractable stud on the ground end. They differ mainly in how the cane is held and in what is fitted to the ground end.
How many types of canes are there?
The FDA gives no fixed number. 21 CFR 890.3075 lists standard, forearm, and tripod, quad or retractable-stud canes as examples, so the count depends on how you group them.
Compare with other aids
Parts pages for other aids: parts of a rollator and knee scooter parts.
Sources
- US eCFR, 21 CFR 890.3075 Cane (ecfr.gov), checked 2026-10-30.
- CMS Medicare Coverage Database, LCD L33733 Canes and Crutches (cms.gov), checked 2026-10-30.
- MSF Unicat, Walking stick, single-base, adult, adjustable (unicat.msf.org), checked 2026-10-30.
