Walking Boot FAQs - What You Need to Know
Walking Boot FAQs - What You Need to Know
Walking Boot
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 4, .
What is a walking boot?
A walking boot is a type of medical shoe used to protect the foot and ankle after an injury or surgery. The boot can be used for broken bones, tendon injuries, severe sprains, or shin splints. A walking boot helps keep the foot stable so it can heal. It can keep your weight off an area, such as your toe, as it heals. Most boots have between 2 and 5 adjustable straps and go mid-way up your calf.
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.
When should I call my doctor?
- You have pain or discomfort that does not go away when you deflate the air chamber.
- You cannot seem to get the boot to fit correctly.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Care Agreement
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medical Disclaimer
Walking boot
This article is about the orthopedic device. For the outdoor activity footwear, see Hiking boot
Walking bootA walking boot being used to aid weight bearing after an ankle fracture.
edit on Wikidata]A controlled ankle motion walking boot, also referred to as a controlled ankle movement walking boot, below knee walking boot, CAM boot, CAM walker, or moon boot, is an orthopedic device prescribed for the treatment and stabilization of severe sprains,[1] fractures, and tendon or ligament tears in the ankle or foot. In situations where ankle motion but not weight is to be limited, it may be used in place of a cast.[2]
Description
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A walking boot consists of:
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- An inner lining, usually fabric, with hook and loop fasteners which encloses and cushions the patient's foot and ankle
- A rigid frame to restrict motion in the lower leg
- A hard plastic shell that provides rigidity and protection to the leg
- Adjustable closure system that allows for proper fitting to various leg sizes
Variations
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A boot being worn in place of a cast to support a broken ankle. The air pump system can be seen on the side of the boot to inflate/deflate the boot which provides added support to the user
CAM walkers may range in height from mid-calf to nearly knee-length, depending on the condition they are meant to treat. Some contain inflatable compartments that can be adjusted by the patient for maximum support and comfort. For further protection of the injured ankle and leg, CAM walkers may also utilize a more extensive plastic shell that also encloses the back and sides of the walker, with detachable plastic plates for the front.[3]
Comparison to casting
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While CAM walkers do not provide the same degree of immobility that an orthopedic cast offers, they have some advantages.[4] Unlike casts, they are adjustable and reusable, and fully removable, permitting the patient to bathe the foot and ankle and remove the walker at night, if they so desire;[5] and a CAM walker requires no special modifications for the patient to bear weight and walk. With some fractures, however, removal may result in worse outcomes and thus this may be a negative; also, with some fractures, the person should be non-weight bearing. Additionally, there is greater cost.
For more severe fractures, a traditional cast may still be preferable.
References
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Further reading
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