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Aircast boot uncomfortable

Posted , 22 users are following.

ktcoon
ktcoon

Hi - I am now coming into 4th week of aircast boot after plaster cast for orif surgery.

I am finding the boot uncomfortable and digs in - find i am more comfortable out of the boot at home - but very cautious as only partial weight bearing!

As ankle is still swollen - i find the boot digs in and when I take off when sitting down am left with quite a lot of uncomfortable in-dents in various places that take a long while to go down.

Anyone experience this and any advice pls.

Thanks katy

1 like, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • Gracehopper
    Gracehopper ktcoon

    Posted

    Hi KT,

    If you've had x-rays showing that your bones have knit together I don't think you'd have any worries taking the boot off for most of the time. ( My ankle was broken in 3 places and I have 2 plates and screws.) my Dr encouraged moving /flexing the ankle at that time and I only wore the boot if leaving the house. But give your Dr a call to find out about weight bearing- he'll have to give you the okay there! Good luck and let that leg breath again! 😉

    Ps. I have also found Solomon's seal and comfrey cream very helpful in the healing process. (Google them)

    • ktcoon
      ktcoon Gracehopper

      Posted

      Thank you for yr reply. Hospital have discharged me other than physio now so guessing all good in the healing department! Think will do the same - boot off at home unless out and about!!! Thanku
  • jannie26408
    jannie26408 ktcoon

    Posted

    Hi

    bones typically take 6 weeks to heal, so check with your Dr.  I bought sheepskin insoles that were super comfortable. Wishing you well 👣

    • Gracehopper
      Gracehopper jannie26408

      Posted

      Sheepskin insoles sound wonderful!   Will have to find some of those! Thanks for the tip!
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Gracehopper

      Posted

      Most medical or drug stores carry them......keeping our feet happy.....👣take good care...
  • erica101
    erica101 ktcoon

    Posted

    I am also in the air cast boot 4 weeks now It is extremely heavy and uncomfortable and painful . since my ankle surgery I've lost all muscle mass in my calf . not sure if thats normal at all . and I'm still having trouble moving my ankle forward and backward
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 erica101

      Posted

      I'd say totally normal, each is different but in best case your on target. Once you start PT they'll give you leg strength exercises. I took my boot off each day from 2 weeks just to gently massage my calf. Check first,  just my situation to relax my leg. Wishing you well 👣
    • erica101
      erica101 jannie26408

      Posted

      At my last visit 3 weeks ago he told me to slowly start weight bearing at 25% the first week 50% the second and 75% the third and 100% the forth week I'm just up to 65% weight bearing and that's a stretch for me i don't know if i walking on it right with the crutches at all in the first place. I'm back at work now i sit at a desk all day by the time i get home and take off my boot my ankle is HUGE !!! I take a shower sitting down when I get out i try to move my foot forward and backwards with the resistance band it's still not moving much. And my skin on my ankle and foot is still so dry and flaky it is unbelievable! My sterile strips from the stitches are still in my ankle on both sides they said they would come off by themselves but none have came off yet and my surgery was on 3/4/16. Hopefully when i go back to see the Dr in a week i start physical therapy
    • patti123
      patti123 erica101

      Posted

      Try a warm bath. Mine came off the first or second day while soaking in a bath and rubbing a little soap on the steri-strips. These boots are heavy that's for sure!
    • patti123
      patti123 erica101

      Posted

      Erica- I am right with you Erica. I found going from NWB to 75% much easier than the last 25% of going from 75-100% (which I haven't accomplished yet). I wonder what other people's experiences have been. I did up to 75% in less two weeks and have spent a week and a half at 75% without moving forward at all really (was able to go to one crutch, but it's pretty awkward walking for the body, so I prefer two crutches), but that last 25% just isn't coming yet. I think it may take a bit more time. Curious about it too. Boy, this whips your butt, doesn't it! Physically exhausting and the more you do, the more pain you feel at night. The pain is par for the course I think from reading posts and talking to Ron who is also going through it now too. I am looking forward to starting PT, and hope my doctor tells me today I can start that, as I have an appt. this afternoon.  I think maybe that will help us move forward! Keep letting us know how you are doing with it and anything that helps to get you over the hump.
    • erica101
      erica101 patti123

      Posted

      Are you trying to move your foot forward and backward yet with the resistance band ? If so how is that working for you.... I don't feel like my ankle moves at all and I've been at it a month
    • patti123
      patti123 erica101

      Posted

      I just ordered one and it got delivered yesterday. I hear we start with the yellow one, with least resistance. I just did a little flexing with it on my foot last night for starters. I am going to try it out more today and will let you know. I hope to get the okay to start with a PT today, at my doctor's appt, as I know I am ready. Until then, I have to look online to see how to work these things and see about the beginning exercises. I'm sure it probably goes slowly...the important thing is to be moving it, if you can, I think. It's probably a bit frozen from not being used. Btw, re. the muscle loss, I lost about a third of the muscle on my calf, but I hear it will come back. Weird to look at though! I don't like it one bit. 
  • ktcoon
    ktcoon

    Posted

    Thanks for all yr replies -will see how it goes at physio on tues!! Cant believe is such a long process - cant wait to get back to driving - kids have so many clubs after school - am gonna owe so many people favours haha xxx
  • kenneth_m
    kenneth_m ktcoon

    Posted

    Hi I have been taking a course of Nelson's arnica it's bought out my bruising and swelling great each day is better it's great in the morning as my foot is always up even in bed 30c the size of the dose Google it its highly recommend it's definitely helped me good luck x
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