Gregory House regularly uses a cane because of his leg injury in House M.D.
House’s limp and cane are among his defining visual characteristics. The show explains that an infarction damaged the quadriceps muscle in his right leg, leaving him with chronic pain and impaired movement. He relies on a cane while walking and also uses the prescription painkiller Vicodin to manage the pain.
The injury is not merely a costume detail. It shapes House’s personality, physical limitations, medical decisions, and dependence on medication. His pain contributes to his isolation and irritability, while his own experience as a patient gives him an unusual perspective on chronic illness and disability.
House’s cane is sometimes described casually as a walking stick, but the series consistently presents it as a medical mobility aid. Its handle and use also change in certain episodes and scenes, reflecting House’s experimentation and personal style. The cane remains more closely associated with the character than any other prop in the series.