Tips for walking in a walking boot

Hi Briann,

Once my doctor released me to weight bear at 6 weeks,  I must say I was very happy with how fast I started improving.  Almost overnight, my swelling was going down and I was getting mobility back.   I had weeks 6-8 in the boot, and then nothing after that.  I went back to work week 7 and was very worried, but the improvement between 6 and 7 was great.   I was able to walk in my boot pretty much problem free.  I am able to sit at times in my job, though, so when I could I would elevate my foot on a stool. At week 8 I was taking stairs easily.  

I had a fairly uncomplicated break and surgery though (spiral fracture if fibula).  Some recoveries definitely take longer and if you find it is hard walking, I strongly suggest renting a knee scooter.  That's what I used to zip around my house or to places like the mall in weeks 4-6 and I loved it.  It frees up your hands and depending on your workplace, could be super helpful.

Good luck!

I suggest ordering a shoe leveler from Amazon. It’s a rubber pad that attaches to your non boot shoes and raises the height so you can walk normally. Not only will your balance approve but you will save yourself from back, hip, and knee pain.

The shoe leveler is called Even Up. It slips onto the shoe of the undamaged foot to even up your leg length so youre not walking off balance and give yourself back and hip pain. Its a godsend.

?Try concentrating on walking heel to toe and drive with your hip. Your leg is weak from weeks of non weightbearing. Do the exercises your pt gives you for strengthening it. You'll get used to boot walking pretty fast I bet.