No air boot after cast off?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi, I slipped and broke my ankle two weeks ago, I have Spinabifida and nerve damage so can't feel my legs or feet which means I didn't realise I'd broken it till the next morning when it was really swollen and I went to A+E!

The nurse at A+E put me in a plastic brace boot but when I got home the heel kept slipping up and out of the plastic part of the boot. Not sure that makes sense but basically my foot was moving which I figured wasn't great for a break.

So a few days after I went back and they put my in a normal plaster cast. So I went back yesterday two weeks on and they x-rayed again, said it was aligned nicely and to keep NWB and elevating for four more weeks then the cast can come off and that's that!

I explained my mobility was a bit wobbly before the break and I used to use a walking stick when out and about so he said I'd just need two crutches at first.

So my question is has anyone ever had a break and come straight out of the cast and not had an air boot?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    I tried moon boot but could not wear it due to nerve damage. Was agony. I tried for just over a week and have nothing on it since. I couldn't even have a bandage over wound. I'm week 10 1/2 am healing well. Still have pain some good days some bad. Am full weight bearing most of the time but still occasionally need cruches. I had plaster over staples for 2 weeks. Staples rubbed on plaster and was so very painful. If you can't feel your leg how will you know that all is good under plaster. If it gets loose go back and get a new one put on. That way they can monitor your wound. 

    • Posted

      Thanks Jenni, I didn't need surgery luckily, so no wound. Am concerned that this cast will get loose as swelling goes down. Guess I'll just have to monitor it and see.

  • Posted

    It has been interesting to read posts on this site. Everyone is treated differently. I had cast on at ER, and after surgery was put in walking boot, but not to be weight bearing. I have seen posts about people in casts after surgery for 6 weeks with replacement casts over that time. A common thread for them was how loose the cast would get as swelling went down. So that part may be the same for u for awhile. Cast loosens as ur swelling goes down. Hopefully u will be on regular schedule with ur doc for xrays to monitor healing. Other posts do seem to indicate that non cast supports come when you've been released to begin putting weight on your leg again. Best wishes in ur recovery! Lisa-

  • Posted

    Did they take X-Rays to make sure the ankle was in the proper alignmentand reset if necessary?  This is critical.  I've only heard of going from a cast to a boot but I'm not a doctor.  You may need a second opinion.  I certainly went from a cast to a boot which is usually done after week 4 post op.

    • Posted

      Besides protection, the purpose of the boot is to get your foot to 90 degrees so that it will be much easier when you start PT to learn how to walk again.

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