What to know about walking boots for injured ankles
If you’ve ever had a foot or ankle injury, chances are you’re familiar with the walking boot. Also known as walkers, cast boots, Aircast boots, medical boots, walking casts, and fracture boots, these medical devices are often prescribed to help you recover. They are designed to support and protect your foot and ankle after an injury.
While often associated with fractures, a walking boot for an injured ankle can also treat a wide range of conditions, including sprains, heel pain, ball of foot pain, and tendonitis.
This article will guide you through everything you need to know about walking boots, including the different types available, their uses, and tips for wearing them comfortably.
What is a walking boot?
A walking boot is a medical device designed to protect your foot and ankle after an injury or surgery. You might wear one after a fracture, sprain, or tendon rupture.
Unlike a traditional cast, which completely immobilizes the foot, a walking boot allows for a limited range of motion. The boot gives your ankle the support it needs while still letting you move around, which can speed up the healing process.
Many people wear walking boots after surgery to support the bones and tissues as they heal.
Types of walking boots
If your doctor or physical therapist has recommended a walking boot, you might wonder which type is right for you. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most common types.
High-top walking cast
As the name suggests, high-top walking boots come up higher on the leg than other types. The higher design gives you more stability and keeps your ankle from moving.
High-top boots are typically used for more serious injuries, such as severe ankle sprains, fractures, and for postsurgical recovery.
Low-top walking cast
Low-top boots don’t come up as high on the leg, so they offer less support and allow the ankle to move more freely.
They’re often used for less severe injuries like plantar fasciitis and mild sprains.
Air cast boots (pneumatic walking boots)
Air cast boots have inflatable air cells that give you cushioning and support that’s customized for your injury.
They can also help you transition more smoothly from a plaster cast to walking without a cast.
One good option is the DonJoy MaxTrax Walker Brace, especially if you have wider calves.
Walking Boots for Specific Injuries and Conditions
Different foot and ankle injuries require different levels of support and immobilization. Here’s a look at how walking boots are used to treat some common conditions.
Walking Boot for Plantar Fasciitis
The point of wearing a walking boot for plantar fasciitis or heel pain is to take some of the tension off the plantar fascia. This gives the irritated fascia a chance to rest and heal.
Generally, you’ll wear the boot for 7 to 14 days.
Walking Boot for Ball of Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia, Neuroma, Sesamoiditis)
If you have pain in the ball of your foot, walking boots can help reduce pressure and movement in your forefoot. This will help the area heal.
In most cases, you’ll wear the boot for about a week.
Walking Boot for Sprained Ankle
Immobilizing your ankle in a walking boot for the first couple of weeks after a sprain will allow the injured ligaments to begin healing properly.
Typically, ankle sprains are immobilized for about 2 weeks.
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.
Expect to wear a walking boot for 2 to 4 weeks if you have a metatarsal stress fracture.
Walking Boot for Toe Fractures
It’s important to keep toe fractures immobilized.
Like all fractures, toe fractures will heal faster and better when they are immobilized.
Toe fractures usually need to be immobilized for 2 to 6 weeks.
Walking Boot for Foot Fracture / Broken Foot
Walking boots provide support and stability to the fractured foot, allowing it to heal properly.
You may need to wear a walking boot for anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks (or even longer) for a foot fracture.
Walking Boot for Ankle Fractures
Walking boots provide support and stability to a fractured ankle, which helps it to heal properly.
Fractures should always be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
Walking Boot for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis and Peroneal Tendonitis
Walking boots immobilize the ankle, reducing stress on the tendons and promoting healing.
Plan on wearing the boot for 10 to 14 days if you have posterior tibial tendonitis.
Walking Boot for Children’s Heel Pain (Sever’s Disease)
Walking boots immobilize the heel, reducing stress on the growth plate and promoting healing.
With Sever’s Disease, you’ll probably wear the boot for around a week.
How to Wear Walking Boots Comfortably
Wearing a walking boot can be a bit of an adjustment. Here are some tips to make the experience as comfortable as possible:
Maintaining Leg Length Evenness
It’s super important that your legs are the same length when you’re walking. If one leg is longer than the other, it can throw off your gait and lead to pain in your back, hips, and knees. Since the boot adds height to your injured leg, you need to make sure your other shoe is built up to the same height.
One easy solution is to use an “Even-up” shoe leveler on your uninjured foot. This will help keep your body aligned and reduce strain.
Arch Support
Don’t forget about arch support! A good arch support inside the boot will help stabilize your foot and prevent further injury. It will also help to keep you comfortable.
Additional Comfort Tips
- Use a sock liner. A thin sock liner under your regular sock can help prevent blisters and keep your foot dry.
- Use a walking boot weather cover. This can protect your boot from rain, snow, and mud, keeping your foot dry and comfortable.
- Use a cane in the opposite hand for injury support. A cane can significantly reduce the load on the injured limb, by as much as 30-40%.
Proper Fitting
Make sure your boot fits snugly, but not too tight. You want it to be secure enough to provide support, but not so tight that it causes skin irritation or restricts circulation.
Exercising While Wearing a Walking Boot
Just because you’re wearing a walking boot doesn’t mean you have to become completely sedentary. You can still find ways to exercise, but you’ll need to make some adjustments.
The best approach is to focus on upper body and core exercises. These allow you to maintain your strength and fitness without putting stress on your injured foot or ankle. Think about exercises like:
- Bicep curls
- Overhead presses
- Lat pulldowns
- Crunches
- Planks
Before starting any exercise program while wearing a walking boot, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor or a physical therapist. They can assess your specific injury, provide guidance on what exercises are safe for you, and help you modify exercises to avoid putting too much stress on your recovering ankle.
In Closing
If you’ve injured your ankle or foot, a walking boot can provide support, immobilization, and protection. By limiting movement, a walking boot can help your injury heal faster.
But it’s important to see a podiatrist, orthopedist, or another healthcare professional for a diagnosis. They can tell you whether you have a sprain, strain, or fracture. They can also advise you on the best treatment options for your injury.
With proper medical care and the right walking boot, you can protect your injured ankle or foot, improve your mobility, and get back on your feet sooner.