House commonly uses a cane as a walking aid in House M.D.
The cane reflects the chronic leg pain and disability caused by an infarction in the quadriceps muscle of his right thigh. House underwent surgery after the infarction, but the injury left him with lasting pain and an altered gait.
His cane is also a visual part of the character's design. It emphasizes his physical vulnerability while contrasting with his confidence, intellectual speed, and willingness to challenge other doctors. The prop appears in many scenes as House moves through the hospital.
House's dependence on Vicodin is tied to his chronic pain and becomes a major storyline. The series explores addiction, medical ethics, and the consequences of treating pain with opioids, although its medical storytelling is dramatized rather than a guide to real treatment.