slo’s WEDNESDAY 5/21 poll - Orthopedic Walking Boot

[monsterkitty]

I broke my left ankle in college starting the lawn mower. The lawn mower would not start unless you pulled the cord straight up, which I was too short to do. So, I jumped straight up to start the mower and when I landed, I landed in a hole that the dog had dog. I tore everything and broke my tibia. I was in a cast then a boot.

The worst was in 2010 I broke some bone in my left foot at the start of the swim in a triathlon. I got pushed off the boat ramp and my foot got caught between the ramp and a rock, breaking some bones. I did the race anyway, including the run. A week later it still hurt so I went in to have it checked and my doctor said it was just arthritis.

He sent me to PT and the PT said that this is not arthritis but he had to see me 3 times before he could send me to an orthopedic surgeon. By the time I got to the surgeon, the post tibial tendon was stuck in the navicular bones as they were healing. Normal people have one navicular bone but I'm not normal and had two.

I had to have surgery to remove the extra bone and to have the tendon reshaped and reattached. I was in a surgical splint up past my knee for 2 weeks, a hard cast for like 8 weeks, and then a boot for 12 weeks.

Almost a year to the day of my surgery, I slipped on ice at work and the tendon pulled free from the bone again. This time I was only in a boot for 3 months.

 

[evilmommie]

I HATE walking boots and think they are overprescribed.
That said, yes…I’ve worn a boot due to foot surgery but stopped wearing it as soon as I could, as over use hinders the healing process.

 

[unrequited23]

I've had to wear a walking boot 3 times in the past 9 years. I highly recommend a shoe lift insert for the non-boot side--helps relieve lower back/hip pain. Best $10 I ever spent on Amazon.

 

[The Mayor]

Wore one about 20 years ago for 12 weeks when I tore the soleus muscle in my right calf.

 

[soccerdad72]

Been fortunately not to need one in my life. My younger son did have some issues with plantar fasciitis during his soccer playing days, so we did get him a boot to wear at night to try to alleviate some of that pain. I think he used it a couple times and then stuck it in his closet.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Extra hug to each of you who has worn a boot. Indeed, they are no fun at all. I wore one on my left foot when I had two broken toes. Please don't make the same mistake I did by wearing it too long. Have a doctor on board throughout your recovery. God willing one day soon when I am able to walk normally again I sure will never take being able to do so for granted. As best you are able, keep moving friends. Happy Wednesday to all.

 

[lilaurora]

I had posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (lots of micro tears in that tendon). I had to wear the boot for 8 weeks. I also have had plantar fasciitis on that fooot and unfortunately the support needed for that is at odds with the tendon issue. I now am the proud owner of custom orthotics to help. It has been a few years but can’t go without the orthotics for more than a day before I feel discomfort.

 

[robinb]

I didn’t have a boot, but I did have an “air cast”. I broke my ankle on the ice, had surgery to install a plate and then was on crutches for 6 weeks.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I’m sorry for your flare-up @slo. I hope you get better soon.

I have worn a walking boot for plantar fasciitis and a haglund’s deformity on my heel, about 10 years ago. I then wore a boot at night for a short time and custom orthotics for several years afterwards. Thankfully, no surgery was needed.

 

[NC Belle]

I might be needed boots on both and had several falls and possible several broken toes and a hairline fracture in my right lrg that was not noticed on a x-ray 2016. I have a lot of pain and been trying to get a referral for evaluation with ortho and podaitry.

Dad has a boot because his foot has major bone issues (not a diabetic) plus it helps his pressure ulcer that he has been treated for 2 years (next week is a finger crossed appointment to get a final treatment date for that last issue.

 

[John VN]

.............................Have you ever worn a walking boot?
If yes…..which foot?
If yes…..why did you need it?
(multiple choice)....................


View attachment 967036

ever - YES, 2022 July to September

which foot - Left

why - I was doing a Memorial Bicycle Ride for a friend who was hit and killed while cycling 10 years earlier. At 3:04am a Wild Hog ran across the road and T-boned me in my left ankle causing a crash. The impact caused a fracture of my left Tibia. Had the boot BUT my Orthopedic Surgeon did not want me to put ANY PRESSURE on that leg so had to use a knee scooter or crutches until cleared. Took longer to heal than expected.

 

[slo]

Thank you to all that have given your well wishes to me
I sincerely appreciate them and you all.