In House M.D., Dr. House usually uses a cane because of chronic pain in his right leg.
House’s limp and cane are central visual features of the character. The pain follows an infarction in the quadriceps muscle of his right leg, an event that occurred before the series begins. The resulting muscle damage leaves him with lasting disability and contributes to his dependence on pain medication.
The cane is not merely a prop: the show repeatedly uses it to signal House’s physical limitations, impatience, and distinctive mannerisms. He sometimes carries it in unusual positions, including on the opposite side from the injured leg, which reflects characterization more than strict clinical instruction.
House’s leg condition and drug dependence are recurring plot elements, but the cane remains the simplest enduring symbol associated with him. The series gradually reveals more of the injury’s circumstances as part of his backstory.