Orthopedic walking boots are recommended when one has a foot injury or surgery, as it helps in quick recovery. They are in a design that takes care and helps rejuvenate broken tendons and bones, and also intense foot sprain. They are thick and less flexible for better functionality.
Nevertheless, most people have occasionally complained of foot and joint aches associated with the boots. This is because a walking boot is not everyday footwear that anyone has experience in.
For this reason, we have a few tips for wearing a walking boot that will go a long way into ensuring that your walking recovery never turns sour. Rather, they should aid you in having the safest and most comfortable walking experience you deserve.
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Tips for Wearing a Walking Boot (Orthopedic Walking Boots Techniques)
If you have an orthopedic boot, you are most likely having it on one foot. This makes wearing and walking more difficult, but not with the tips below:
1. Follow the doctor’s advice
Ensure that all the instructions from your physical therapists are put to action. If he says that you need to rest more and walk less, then so be it. If you need to practice only until you feel a tinge of pain, then don’t ignore.
If your feet swell after the recommended walking duration, you should try to sit and relax. Elevate your foot and probably treat it with some ice cubes. If the swelling persists, or is accompanied by intense pain, you should see a doctor.
2. Care when Wearing the boot:
Your foot may have an injury at your toes or at the heel. If this is the case, you should always take care when wearing it. Finish with the injured part when wearing the socks. This will prevent stress on the area. When wearing the boot, ensure that the injured area is secure as you put it on. Avoid further injuries and opening up healing wounds.
Loosen the straps and buckle whenever you are removing the boots. Let your foot have all the space it needs for a stress-free removal.
3. Avoid walking in a wet boot at all costs
Walking in a wet orthopedic boot will add to the infection of your feet, causing you pain. This will further reduce your chances of a quicker recovery.
During a shower, if you must be in your walking boot, then keep it dry. You can do this by wrapping a plastic bag around the boot, which is water proof. This should also come in handy whenever you want to walk in the rain.
Wearing thick moisture-wicking socks during walking is a great idea. This will prevent sweaty feet from keeping the boots wet, while absorbing the sweat and keeping the feet dry as well.
4. Try to walk straight from the knee
Bending your knee while walking may cause a strain on your foot, hence pain. Roll your feet to reduce the stress of walking if possible.
5. Reduce stressing on the affected leg during walking.
This will reduce the weight on the leg, aiding in fast recovery.
6. Use a shoe balancer
This is a footwear that you insert on the shoe of your good foot. Hence, your feet will be on the same level, and walking will be easier.
Whether in an orthopedic walking boot or a normal walking boot after recovery, these tips for wearing a walking boot will always come in handy;
Read also: 5 best shoe levelers for walking boot
7. Wear a sock liner/ Superfeet in your boots
A sock liner is a thin sock-like material that you insert and wear in your boots. They cushion your feet from the impact of contact between the boot and the foot.
You can purchase Superfeet insoles for your boots when you are almost fully recovered. For boots, which are obviously high-profile, you will require high-profile Superfeet.
Superfeet will provide your feet with the required shape and structure, preparing your foot for normal walking. Moreover, they are designed to absorb shock during walking. Most of the Superfeet meant for walking have perforations, which provide your feet with breathability.
Sock liners and Superfeet ensure your feet are cushioned against blisters, hot spots and other walking boot pains. Moreover, Superfeet protect the joints affected by an uncomfortable boot. These include heels, ankles and knees, not to mention the spine. This is through providing your feet with arch support.
Get the Exact Fitting of a Walking Boot
A smaller boot than your feet, or one that is too tight, will obviously cause you pain from blisters and hot spots. During walks, feet are bound to swell. With boots that are tight, then the feet will not have enough space. The injuries caused in the process may cause further infections to your feet.
A larger boot, for instance, where the ball of the boot lines with your toes instead of the ball of your feet is detrimental. The ball of your feet is the protruding part that is beside your big toe. The ball of the boot is the wide part of the boot, which is at the front of the boot. As you walk, your feet will keep sliding inside the shoe. In addition, the strain of the foot, since it does not match the boot length, will cause you toe, foot and heel pain.
Therefore, getting snug boots not only offer sufficient room to your feet, but also eliminate boot pain.
Consulting your doctor through the boot purchase process is the best option in getting yourself the most favorable.
Clean your sock liners Frequently
The sock liner will get wet and dirty from feet sweat. It is advisable to clean it often. This will prevent your feet from getting an infection. Besides, washing the sock liner saves you from feet odor.
Final Verdict
An orthopedic walking boot is your best shot at putting down your crutches. If you want to maintain this new healing mechanism, following rules and instructions will grant you faster recovery. The above tips for wearing a walking boot should give you a starting point in your new experience. Healing is on the way.
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