tips for wearing a walking boot

 

Many people choose to wear walking boots after an injury or surgery. However, wearing a boot can be tricky and uncomfortable at times, especially if you're not used to it. Here's a list of things you should know before buying a walking boot:

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1. A walking boot is worn on the ankle to stabilize an injured foot

 

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2. Wearing a walking boot allows the doctor/patient to see what’s going on underneath it 3. They can give better instructions for their care 4. They help with mobility 5. They help prevent further damage to the foot

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6. Some doctors suggest wearing a walking boot for 2-4 weeks at first and then gradually increasing time in each week until your doctor tells you to take it off. Others suggest wearing the boot for up to 6 weeks, before taking it off.

 

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7. Walking boots are not comfortable 6 out of 10 people can’t stand them (a worse experience than a pair of shoes) 7 out of 10 people feel they need to wear the boot all the time because their foot hurts 8 out of 10 people feel guilty about wearing them 9 out of 10 people think they’re ugly'

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8. Walking boots come in 3 sizes. They can be worn on the left or right foot, but sometimes a boot may be made for one foot but not the other. Do not buy a boot, if it does not fit the ankle you’re trying to fix, even if it fits your other one perfectly.

 

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8) When putting on a walking boot, put it on and stand up immediately. That way, you’ll prevent yourself from having to sit on the floor while putting it on; this is less comfortable than just standing up.

 

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9. Walking boots have a hard plastic sole that feels like rubber or vinyl to the touch. This is called a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU, pronounced "tep-u-ruh-reth-ee" or "tee-poo"), but either way it's not especially comfortable when you're wearing it for an extended period of time and, 

 

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depending on the way you walk, may not be all that comfortable when actually walking. A more comfortable boot would try to use something more like carpet material - this is what's used on the bottom of your sofa and chair.

10. You can choose from two different types of walking boots:

 

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a) A boot with a hard plastic sole, which will not bend and will help with the stability of your foot, but is less comfortable than a boot with a foam sole.

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b) A boot with a soft rubber foam sole that are more comfortable than the hard plastic ones

 

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11. Walking boots are usually made by three different companies: Nike, Reebok and Under Armour. If you're having trouble finding a shoe you like, ask to try on shoes from all three of these companies before making your decision.

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12. Your doctor may want you to wear this boot for walking, but most people choose to take them off when they're at home. While some find them comfortable and like how they look, most don't. They're mostly worn because doctors tell their patients to. Also,

 

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 hurt does not always look as bad as it feels so a walking boot may be able to help support and protect you from further injury while your foot heals

 

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13. Some walking boots are stiffer than others and some have extra support in strategic places such as the heel, ankle or inside of the foot (called an arch). A stiffer boot has more support than a soft one.