Answer-first clarification
Aubrey Plaza uses a cane primarily to manage symptoms related to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a hereditary connective tissue condition that can cause joint instability, pain, and fatigue. The cane improves balance, reduces joint stress during standing or walking, and helps her pace activity to avoid spikes in pain and dislocations. She has stated that using a mobility aid is part of her strategy to conserve energy and maintain function, not a sign of dramatic impairment. Below, we break down her condition, how it affects movement, and why a cane is a practical, evidence-based support for her day-to-day needs.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: what it means for movement and pain
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome refers to a group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. In people with EDS, the structural proteins that support joints, skin, and blood vessels are altered, leading to instability and a higher risk of subluxations and chronic pain. Because symptoms vary widely, management focuses on protecting joints, improving proprioception, and conserving energy. For many with EDS, assistive devices like canes or mobility aids are recommended to reduce mechanical stress on vulnerable joints and help maintain activity without exacerbating symptoms. Medical guidelines emphasize pacing and load management to mitigate flares, which aligns with using a walking aid when needed.
Joint instability and injury prevention
Joint instability is a core feature of EDS and can make standing, walking, and transferring more precarious. A cane adds a wider base of support, which lowers the risk of falls and reduces the load on hips, knees, and ankles. For people with hypermobile joints, offloading even a small amount of body weight through an assistive device can meaningfully reduce shear forces and microtrauma that contribute to pain and fatigue. By stabilizing posture, a cane helps users maintain safer biomechanics during routine movement, making it a practical tool for long-term joint protection rather than a concession of severe disability.
Energy conservation and pacing strategies
Many with EDS and related conditions use mobility aids to regulate their daily energy, a concept known as pacing. Pacing involves balancing activity with rest to prevent symptom escalation; a cane can make more activities sustainable by smoothing out the effort required to stand and walk. For artists and performers like Plaza, who may alternate between stationary and physically demanding work, a cane can be integrated into routines to preserve stamina across long days. Rather than indicating constant severe impairment, it functions as a strategy to maintain capacity over time by preventing crashes and post-exertional malaise.
Mobility aids in real-world use: what a cane offers
In practice, canes serve several roles for people with joint instability and chronic pain. They can redistribute weight away from painful joints, improve balance on uneven surfaces, and provide tactile feedback that helps with spatial awareness. For someone with EDS, these benefits translate into greater confidence in community settings, reduced reliance on stronger and more taxing supports like crutches or walkers, and a lower risk of injury. Because canes are lightweight and versatile, they fit into many lifestyles, allowing adjustments in use depending on fatigue, environment, and task demands. This flexibility is valuable for people who experience variable symptoms rather than a fixed, predictable level of impairment.
How a cane differs from other mobility aids
| Mobility aid | Primary function | Typical use case for EDS |
|---|---|---|
| Single-point cane | Balance and modest weight-bearing support | Mild to moderate instability; indoor and short outdoor distances |
| Quad cane | Increased base of support and stability | Higher instability or longer standing tasks; reduced hand strength |
| Crutches | Offload significant weight from lower limbs | Post-surgical recovery or severe joint involvement |
| Walker | Maximum stability and posture support | High fall risk or when hands need sustained support |
For many people with EDS, a single-point cane offers an adaptable middle ground: enough support to improve safety and pacing without the rigidity or upper-body demand of crutches or walkers. This balance helps preserve autonomy while reducing unnecessary joint load, which is why it may be preferred for day-to-day use when symptoms are managed but not invisible.
Public visibility and personal statements from Plaza
While Plaza has not provided an exhaustive medical timeline in every interview, she has referenced her Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in discussions about her health and daily life. In those comments, she notes that using assistive devices is part of managing her condition and preserving her energy. She has described how her body and needs can change day to day, and that tools like a cane allow her to show up reliably in work and personal settings. By framing her cane as a practical strategy rather than a limitation, she aligns with a broader movement of people with invisible disabilities who use mobility aids to sustain function and autonomy.
Context, accommodations, and common questions
Using a cane does not indicate a static or worsening condition; needs can fluctuate with stress, activity, and treatment. For many with EDS and related disorders, accommodations such as pacing, ergonomic supports, and mobility aids are integral to sustainable routines. It’s also common for people with invisible disabilities to face skepticism, so public statements about using a cane can help normalize adaptive tools. When evaluating any public figure’s health-related choices, it is most accurate to rely on their own descriptions and clinical context rather than speculate. In Plaza’s case, the cane is a measured, practical response to the realities of living with joint hypermobility and pain, consistent with medical guidance for connective tissue conditions.
Summary and key takeaways
- Aubrey Plaza uses a cane to manage symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, including joint instability, pain, and fatigue.
- The cane improves balance, offloads joints, and supports energy conservation through pacing.
- Assistive devices like canes are common and evidence-based strategies for people with connective tissue disorders.
- Her use of a cane reflects practical, everyday management rather than a single-state snapshot of impairment.
- Respecting individual privacy and medical context is essential when interpreting mobility aids used by public figures.
Overall, the intersection of EDS, mobility strategies, and workplace needs explains why Aubrey Plaza uses a cane. Far from a curiosity, it is a functional tool that enables her to maintain performance and well-being while living with a lifelong connective tissue condition.
For ongoing management, people with EDS often combine medical care, physical therapy, pacing, and adaptive equipment. As understanding of invisible disabilities grows, discussions about tools like canes shift from sensational curiosity to recognition of their role in sustaining participation in work and life. Aubrey Plaza’s choice to use a cane is best understood as one aspect of a broader, sustainable approach to health that prioritizes consistency, safety, and long-term capacity.