Canes are becoming more popular among the latest fashion trends in American culture. They are seen more and more not only on television, but in the movies as well. It is also common to see sports figures on the sidelines with their teammates using a walking cane for balance during recovery from an injury.

Perhaps the most famous and fashionable cane user today is Dr. Gregory House, played by actor Hugh Laurie on the hit TV show “House.” The crass yet brilliant doctor sports a cane on the show since his character injured his leg. There have been a number of different types of canes used, all in keeping with the latest in men’s fashions. One is the round-handled tourist cane, a simple and sturdy cane that helps to improve balance. Another cane style used by Dr. House is the derby cane, which features a horizontal handle with a sloped center and rounded handle tip.

The oldest known cane user is Yoda, the Jedi master from the Star Wars movie series. Shown walking through the swamp and across the desert, Yoda is several hundred years old when viewers encounter him with a cane on a few different occasions in the George Lucas films.

John Hammond from the movie “Jurassic Park” was the park’s founder, recognizable by his fashionable men’s walking cane. He used it handily to get about the park, but it did not prevent him from being eaten by prehistoric creatures that plagued his island.

Athletes from all different sports now use canes for balance instead of crutches while healing from leg, knee, ankle and foot injuries. They have recently included British soccer icon David Beckham, NBA player DeShawn Stevenson of the Washington Wizards and many football players, like New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis, to name a few.

Are you ready to get your new walking cane?