How Do I Put On The Walking Boot
You may want to wear a large sock.
- Sit down and place your heel all the way to the back of the boot.
- Wrap the soft liner around your foot and leg.
- Place the front piece over the liner.
- Start to fasten the straps closest to your toes then move up your leg.
- Tighten the straps so they are snug but not too tight. The boot should limit movement but not cut off your blood flow.
- If your boot has one or more air chambers, pump them up as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Stand up and take a few steps to practice walking.
- Deflate the air chambers before removing the boot.
What Else Do I Need To Know
- Check your foot and toes often. Check your foot and toes for redness and swelling. If your toes are red, swollen, numb, or tingly, loosen your straps or deflate the air chamber. Over time, the swelling from the injury or surgery will decrease. When this happens, you may need to tighten the straps.
- Be careful when you walk on wet surfaces. The boot may be slippery.
- Follow the instructions to wash the liner. Remove the liner and wash it by hand in cold water with a mild detergent. Do not use a washing machine or dryer. Place the liner flat to dry. Wash the plastic parts with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- Ask about removing the boot to bathe or for motion exercises. You may need to leave the boot on when you bathe. Cover it with a plastic bag and tape the bag closed around your leg.
Benefits Of A Walking Boot
The reason you will need to wear a walking boot for this length of time is simply to support your ankle. Keeping the foot in the same position and not moving it allows the body to knit back together. The bones, ligaments, and tendons can heal without them stretching or compressing because of the bodys movement.
Also, the walking boots structure is such that it will keep the ankle at the appropriate angle to let the foot heal. This will occur without any scarring causing further complications.
For this reason, you cannot don and doff the walking boot on a regular basis. You should seek to keep it on at all times to allow your body to heal. If you do not, you may find yourself with problems down the line, such as further pain or tightness in the muscles.
Twelve weeks of strict rules about what you can do with your leg may seem like a long time, but it is the best thing you can do for your body while you recover.
Don’t Miss: Southwest Foot And Ankle Durango Co
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- What grade of ankle sprain do I have?
- Do I need to wear a cast, boot, or brace? If so, for how long?
- How long until I can return to my regular activities?
- What can I do to prevent re-spraining my ankle?
- What should I look for in supportive shoes?
- What kind of ankle brace should I wear when playing sports?
Medline Standard Ankle Walkers
The orthopedic walker boot is perfect for anyone needing the necessary support and comfort. It has a low-profile design that minimizes height difference allowing for a more even stride. Little extra support works wonders for a painfully sprained ankle, and the Standard Ankle Walker provides exactly what one needs to treat a sore or sprained ankle. The wide shape of the boot lets it fit either of the feet and keeps the possible swelling, extra bandages, or ankle braces in place.
Features of Medline Sprained Ankle Cast
- The bottom of the walking boot is curved so it can rock back and forth.
- Medline ankle boot for sprain has non-skid traction facilitating a safe walking process during healing.
- A low-profile design minimizes the difference in leg height to help maintain a normal gait.
- One leg strap and two-foot straps are adjustable for desired size and compression.
- The versatile design of the standard walker accommodates a range of shoe sizes.
Benefits of Medline Standard Walking Boot for Sprained Ankle
- The adjustable hook and loop straps of the walking boot fit comfortably.
- The two straps across the top of the foot and one around the leg to help keep the boot secure.
- The straps let the user tighten the compression and adjust the size to avoid the boot from sliding inside.
- The ankle walking boot improves safety and stability and helps maintain a normal walking gait and balance.
- The Medline walker even accommodates extra dressings and swelling.
You May Like: Special Test For Ankle Sprain
Role Of A Broken Ankle Boot In Treatment For Such Injuries
Generally speaking, the more bones that are broken in an ankle, the more likely the ankle is to be unstable. Whether a walking boot should be worn for broken ankle care or if surgery is needed largely depends upon the stability of an ankle and where the break occurs.
If a broken bone remains in place or has shifted marginally, a doctor might recommend the use of a high-top shoe, a short cast or an ankle fracture boot to stabilize the ankle. Such items offer some extra support and protection to the ankle as it heals. In some cases, a doctor may also recommend a period of no or limited weight bearing for a stable ankle fracture.
This popular short air medical boot for a broken ankle or foot has inflation support and compression that can be adjusted.
We also offer a tall air boot for sprained or broken ankles. This orthopedic boot for broken ankles has a rocker-style bottom and a low-profile heel that encourages a more natural gait.
If the break is an unstable one, surgery to move the bone fragment back into position and fix them in place via screws, plates, etc. will likely be necessary. It usually takes at least six weeks for broken bones to heal and that recovery period will likely be extended if ligaments and tendons are also damaged.
After a period of immobilization, a medical professional may recommend using an ankle walker boot when transitioning back to normal activity.
When getting back into sports, an ankle brace may be needed for added support.
How Can I Make My Sprained Ankle Heal Faster
Self-care
Don’t Miss: Foot Painful To Walk On
Walking Boot For Toe Fractures
Too often people are told that nothing can be done for a toe fracture. This is not true. Like all fractures, toe fractures will heal faster and better when they are immobilized. The easiest way to do this is to use a fracture boot.
How long to wear it? Depending on the type of fracture, you could be in a boot from 2 6 weeks. Wear the boot until you can get an x-ray and a doctor can tell you if are ready to come out of the boot.
Tall Boot or Short Boot? Always use a tall boot for toe fractures. This is necessary because many of the muscles that attach into the toes start in the upper leg. In the presence of a toe fracture you want to limit motion of the toe by immobilizing those muscles.
Regular or Pneumatic Boot? The less expensive regular tall boot should work fine for ankle sprains.
Who Is Most At Risk For An Ankle Sprain
Anyone can sprain their ankle. In the 15 to 24-year-old demographic, men are more likely to suffer a sprain than women. Conversely, women over 30 are more likely to experience an ankle sprain than men of the same age.
Participation in sports that involve running, climbing, kicking, and jumping can increase your risk of spraining your ankle. Other risk factors include walking on uneven surfaces, being in poor physical condition, and even wearing the wrong type of shoes. If youve sprained your ankle before, youre at increased risk of suffering another sprain.
3rd Degree SprainsDid you know that a 3rd-degree sprain is considered to be the most severe sprain you can have? This is a complete tear of the affected ligament
You May Like: Orthopedic Doctors In Lancaster Pa
Walking Boot For A Sprained Ankle Video Overview:
Do you want the BEST Aircast boot, Medical boot or Airwalker Boot Tips?
- We go over the absolute best ankle boot medical tips and best walking boot cast tips!
- Save yourself from knee, hip and back pain from your ortho surgical walking boot!
- So stop living in pain and get the best aircast medical boot treatment tips TODAY!
How To Exercise When You Are Wearing A Walking Boot
Last but not least, what do you do to keep exercising if you have one of the injuries listed above and you want to continue exercising? Many of our patients are in the same situation so we have come up with a Guide to Exercising with a Foot Injury. Use the link to read the guide and follow the instructions. Well make sure you can continue your workouts even when you have a foot injury and must wear a walker boot.
Call or use our Patient Portal to schedule an appointment to ensure you get the right walking boot and it fits properly.
You May Like: Signs Of Cancer In Foot
Walking Boots For Foot & Ankle Fractures And Injuries
Medical walking boots are used to protect the foot and ankle after an injury or surgery. They are commonly used for stress fractures, shin splints, fractures to the foot or ankle bone, and severe ankle sprains. Medical walking boots aid in the beginning of the rehabilitation process by stabilizing and protecting the area while it heals. As the foot or leg begins to heal, a walking boot slowly allows weight to be put onto the foot. Your doctor may recommend a walking cast also known as an orthopedic walking boot instead of a cast. The goal of a walking boot varies depending on the condition, but generally the goal is to aid in healing.
Walking Boot
Nonsurgical Treatments For Ankle Sprains
Most ankle sprains dont need surgery.
You should be able to recover from a minor, first-time sprain relatively quickly with home care. This includes treatments known as RICE therapy:
- Rest: Stay off your ankle until it doesnt hurt. Exercising before a sprain has fully healed may make it worse or increase your risk of re-injury.
- Ice: Place a wet towel on your ankle, then cover it with a plastic bag full of ice . Apply the ice for 10-20 minutes, then remove it for 40 minutes. Repeat this as often as you can during the first 48-72 hours after your injury.
- Compression: Wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage. This will help control swelling.
- Elevation: Recline on a bed, sofa, or chair and use a pillow to raise your ankle slightly higher than your hips.
If you have a moderate to severe sprainor home care doesnt helpyou may need additional nonsurgical treatment. These therapies include:
- Orthopedic devices: While you heal, certain medical equipment can help take pressure off your ankle or keep it stable. These include ankle braces, walking boots, and crutches.
- Rehabilitation: Our physical therapists can teach you exercises to improve your ankle strength, ankle flexibility, and balance.
Also Check: Women’s Orthopedic Sandals On Sale
Walking Boot For Wide Calves
Best walking boot for large calves
If you have large calves or a lot of swelling of your lower leg you will require a walking boot with adjustable uprights to fit your lower leg. The boot must be made so that the uprights can be bent outward to accommodate larger calves.
There are few medical boots on the market that fit those with wide calves. Our favorite is the DonJoy MaxTrax Walker Brace.
The Donjoy MaxTrax has malleable upright which can be bent out to accommodate for larger lower legs. It also is wider than average around the foot and ankle.
If you have a wide lower leg or swollen calf you will often have a wide foot also and so will require a wider orthotic to wear in the boot. For those with wider feet or lower extremity swelling we recommend the PowerStep Wide Orthotic Arch Support.
Best Boot For A Sprained Ankle
The best boot for a sprained ankle should cover the entire foot, ankle, and lower shin. It should have a rocker sole to make it easy to walk short distances and there should be an adjustment that allows you to pump air around the foot inside the boot to reduce swelling and absorb the vibration from the ground when walking so it does not irritate the joint.
- Rocker Sole to encourage a natural gait
- Rigid Upright to protect the ankle joint
- Air Pump for added comfort and to reduce swelling
- Shock Absorbing Insole
- Rocker sole with soft strike sole to reduce vibration
- Long semi-rigid shell to protect the entire lower limb
- Overlapping Duplex air cells line the shell providing intermittent pneumatic compression for 3-times faster edema reduction
- Designed with a sleek, open frame that provides ventilation
You May Like: Pain On Metatarsals Of Foot
What To Look For When Buying Online
The internet has made shopping easier than ever before. You can find anything you need with just a few clicks of the mouse. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping online. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your online shopping experience.
1. Customer Reviews
As we mentioned before, online sites such as Amazon, eBay, and Overstock have a review section. This section is filled with customer feedbacks and even pictures of the product. Browsing through these reviews is the smartest thing to do. These reviews allow you to comprehend how the product will work for you. You can even determine the pros and cons of these reviews.
Check the rating on the website to learn if the seller is delivering the product as expected by the other buyers.
The item youre buying. Make sure youre getting what you want and that its the correct size, color, etc.
2. Quality
Quality is paramount when choosing any product. Different brands have different visions and objectives, so its important to examine each brands promises carefully to see if they align with what youre looking for. Go for the option with the best quality, and you cant go wrong.
3. Features
What are The Benefits of Buying Best Walking Boot For Sprained Ankle Online?
You can also take your time when you shop online. You can read reviews, compare prices, and find the perfect product for you. Theres no pressure to buy something on the spot.
What Is A Walking Boot
Used to treat ankle and foot injuries, a walking boot synonymous with a walking cast or walking brace is an orthopedic device designed to prevent a sprain from worsening, while allowing the ankle sprain to heal. Not only does the boot protect from further injury, but it also redistributes weight and stabilizes the foot.
Walking boots are designed to be more comfortable than plaster and fiberglass casts, and are generally made of plastic, straps, and padding. There are also pneumatic or air walking boots, which are made to be more comfortable.
Walking boots, unlike their plaster and fiberglass counterparts, can be removed. Despite this, it is common practice to wear the boot all the time even to bed unless bathing. Your healthcare provider should provide you with detailed instructions and will advise you on how and when to wear your walking boot.
Read Also: How To Know If My Ankle Is Broken
Walking Boot For Foot Fracture / Broken Foot
Aircast Pneumatic Boot Best for Fractures
There are many types of foot fractures and specific fractures may require specific treatment. So we always recommend seeing a doctor to have a foot fracture treated.
How long to wear it: Again, see a doctor first as it really depends on the type of injury. It could be anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks or even more. Wear it for as long as your doctor tells you.
Short or Tall Boot? Tall boots are best for foot fractures as they immobilize both the foot and the leg muscles that attach into the foot.
Regular or Pneumatic Boot? For fractures we ONLY recommend the Aircast tall pneumatic boot. You need the extra protection to limit motion as much as possible. This walker is the closest boot you can get to an actual cast
Call or use our Patient Portal to schedule an appointment to ensure you get the right walking boot and it fits properly.
United Ortho Short Air Cam Walker Fracture Boot Fits Left Or Right Small Black
Features :
- BEFORE PURCHASING please view our sizing chart . Size Small fits mens 4.5-6.5 and womens 6-8 shoe size. Size Small weighs 2.0 pounds and can be worn on the left or right foot
- USER GUIDE included in each boot for proper application. Please follow the steps provided for ideal fit and comfort
- PROMOTES NATURAL WALKING with rocker sole and shock-absorbing insole promote more natural walking during use
- STURDY plastic molded uprights with steel reinforcement provides increased durability
- CAM WALKER BOOT can be used for acute ankle sprains, soft tissue injuries, stable lower leg, foot and ankle fractures and post-operative use
Additional Info :
Also Check: Orthopedic Urgent Care Charlotte Nc
Walking Boot For Metatarsal Stress Fracture
Metatarsal stress fractures should always be immobilized in a boot. Like all fractures, metatarsal stress fractures will heal faster and better when they are immobilized. The easiest way to do this is to use a medical boot. If a stress fracture is suspected you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
How long to wear it? Depending on the type of fracture, most of our patients are in a boot 2 4 weeks. Wear the boot until you can get an x-ray and a doctor can tell you if are ready to come out of the boot.
Tall Boot or Short Boot? Always use a tall boot for metatarsal fractures. This is necessary because many of the muscles that attach into the metatarsal region start in the leg. If you have a stress fracture you want to limit motion of the foot by immobilizing those muscles.
Regular or Pneumatic Boot? The less expensive regular tall boot should work fine for metatarsal stress fractures.