Walking boot causing pain
Posted , 4 users are following.
I am about 6 weeks post-op after ORIF surgery, and I am supposed to be wearing my boot most of the time (I think mostly to keep my foot positioned properly, because I still have trouble "flattening" my foot). Have my follow up appointment to see about weight bearing in a week. The problem is, the boot is painful for me to wear! It puts pressure directly on my ankle bone where I have a plate with screws. I also have pretty bad skin discomfort with pressure on the sides and back of my foot--which is worse (sometimes super painful) while wearing the boot. I have tried every possible combination of "pumping air into the boot", and even met with the PT a couple of times to try to figure it out. It is so frustrating, because I want to follow the doctor recommendations and wear the boot all the time, but when I have to take my pain meds BECAUSE OF the boot, that just doesn't seem right. Anyone else? Any solutions or recommendations? Thank you!
0 likes, 5 replies
Toookie76522 kdzachar
Posted
You did not mention but are you wearing a full length sock with the boot? I tried wearing a shorter sock with my boot and it felt like it was grabbing at my skin. Also when they first gave me my boot, it was almost more painful than the post-op splint was in the beginning. Some pain is to be expected because you are asking your ankle area to do something different.
I actually only ended up wearing my boot when I was on my feet/scooter and there was a possibility I could fall. I found I could not sleep with it - too uncomfortable. I had to get a special elevated pillow but well worth the $25 it cost me. I spent a lot of my free time trying to get my ROM back and stretching my foot/ankle enough so the back of my foot could finally sit at the back of my boot. The pain eases after every new stage.
beverly83862 kdzachar
Posted
have you tried taken off the plastic front piece and not using? i have had different surgery ( rod and nails) but like others i am not using my boot and home and i am using lots of ice packs
kaitlyn29919 kdzachar
Posted
I am curious if they gave you extra pads for comfort? I received extra ones with my boot. They are similar material to the soft pads that go inside of helmets. Maybe you can purchase some of those on Amazon and add extra padding when you put it on.
pat21095 kdzachar
Posted
I haven't tried it yet, but I saw a recommendation to use an orthodic insert in the boot. My foot will not go to 90 degrees yet. I put 2 layers of foam under my heel just to be able to wear it.
I am at 5 of 6 NWB weeks. I am working on stretching. Next week I hope to start wearing the boot more because I am walking with at least a little weight.
pat21095
Posted
I did add foam cushions under my heel until I could ease my foot into what they call neutral. (flat on the floor). The orthotic did seem to help stabilize my heel side to side. I am considering moving a foam pad under the ball of my foot because it does not seem to want to move past neutral.