Many hikers, mountaineers and climbers use telescopic sticks, because these aid walking up/downhill and also ease the strain on the spine and the lower extremity joints, particularly the knee.

Telescopic sticks must be used with the correct technique:
two sticks must always be used, which are height-adjustable and which have handles that are constructed in a way that the user's hands - when pressing down - gain firm support. It is of utmost importance to use two sticks as close as possible to the body's line of fall.

ADVANTAGES

When the sticks are used with the correct technique - especially while walking downhill- the hiking stick can absorb several tonnes of weight of the lower body per walking hour (NEUREUTHER, Munch. Med. Wschr. 123/1981). This leads to a considerable spine and joint relief, especially in the following situations:

• advanced age, excess body-weight
• when there are pre-existent joint and spinal diseases (i.e. arthritis, spondylitis)
• when carrying heavy backpacks (ie on expeditions)
• when hiking on snow slopes and in the wet, when crossing rivers and when hiking with limited visibility (fog, at night).

DISADVANTAGES

• INCORRECT STICK TECHNIQUE:
  If the distance between the body and the stick is too large, not only is the strain relief greatly reduced, but a strong turning moment can result. This can threaten the hiker's balance.
• DECREASE SENSE OF BALANCE:
  Continuous use of hiking sticks can decrease the hiker's coordination ability and through this his steadiness, although, in his own mind, he may feel safer. This disadvantage is becoming more and more evident and can lead to certain balancing problems, especially in difficult mountain areas, where the stick-user cannot use his hiking sticks (i.e. narrow ridges or climbing terrain). In fact, the most common type of hiking accident, the fall by tripping or stumbling, can actually be made a greater risk as a result. For these reasons such accident occur even during the use of sticks.
• REDUCED PHYSIOLOGICAL PROTECTION MECHANISMS:
  Strong pressure and strain stimuli are very important for the nutrition of the joint cartilage and also for training and maintaining the elasticity of the "breaking musculature". Continuous use of hiking sticks decrease these physiologically important stain stimuli.

CORRECT WALKING TECHNIQUES TO AVOID OVER-STRAIN

In general it is easier - for motion-physiological reasons (proprio-receptor system) - for healthy hikers to learn and maintain an elastic, safe and joint-relieving walking technique without the aid of sticks rather than by regular stick use.

The following factors are important with regards the degree of strain put on the leg joints:

• body weight (excess weight)
• weight of backpack
• correct downhill walking technique

The hiker should spread the strain evenly by using elastic and shock-absorbing steps over as long as possible. This means walking downhill with small, elastic steps as slowly as possible, certainly avoiding big steps or running down. Paths should be used taking the bends, no short-cuts when walking downhill. Also, one should only undertake mountain tours in proportion to one's own physical ability.

Following this advice, healthy hikers and climbers will develop no joint problems, even after decades of intensive mountaineering.

SUMMARY

• advanced age, excess body-weight
• when suffering from diseases of the joints or the spine
• on snow or in the wet, river crossing, limited visibility
• when carrying heavy backpacks

Hiking sticks are not required for any other hiking situation and should not - mainly for reason of safety - be used all the time, as a rule, particularly not by children and youths. The advantages and disadvantages must be weighed up in each individual case