Any tips for getting heel all the way back into the boot

Foot care
1

Hi everyone,

 I graduated to the boot today!!  I feel like progress can now begin. I'm having a hard time getting my heel all the way down into the boot. Any tips? I think partly its because I have to overcome my fear of putting any pressure on it.

2

Hi Machelle,

That's great news!  Like they told me at the hospital a few weeks ago when I got my air cast, "gravity will bring your heel down".

What I did is put my foot in, then slowly close the flap over the toes. Your heel will not be down in the boot right away, but if you ease it slowly, over a few minutes, you will see it will go down.  Yes, it will be sore and uncomfortable and it may take you a week or so, but your foot will cooperate and it gets easier pretty quickly.

Persevere, it will happen in a short period of time and it will be comfortable to wear.

Just be patient, this is progress!

3

Thanks Deb

I'll try closing the toe flap first. I'm so glad too be out of the cast I was so miserable with it. 

Thanks for the help and encouragement. 

4

Hello Machelle

Congratulations🎉

I found that by putting my leg straight on the bed/sofa was the best way then put the boot on then put my leg back on the floor..if i put it on whilst my bad leg was on the floor i could never get it in properly good luck😊

5

Do you have Even Up Shoe  

6

Great news...go you. IT will become easier as time goes by. but i used to put heel in first with the boot flap wide open, then fasten the foot flap first. the heel will find its own way to the correct place.  I did find it quite painful for a time but the eased after a short while.  Next.....aids free!!!  whoop whoop.  goo luck  sx

7

Awesome! THIN socks!! (Wink wink)

8

Thanks Maria

I think I need to get over the fear of putting any pressure on my ankle. I will try this next time I put it on. I think I need practice. smile

9

Yes, I have an even up shoe. Did you use it immediately or after you could bear more weight? I plan on taking it to Physical Therapy.

10

Thanks Sandra,

I am so excited to be making progress!!! Hope your recovery is going well!

11

Onwards and upwards for you now.  Im not doing to good at the moment, seem to of hit a wall.  But its not the ankle thats giving me too many probs. Ive been waiting for an operation on my knee, this is the reason for my fall in the first place. But because of the operation i had to have on broken ankle I couldnt get the knee sorted. Its now stopping me from walking without a very bad limp.  My physio has referred be back to the knee surgeon so I can get the operation done, hopefully then the recovery will go well. Just the thought of going under the knife again and having to use crutches, makes my anxiety levels bad.  But it has to be done.  sx

12

Wow Sandra,  I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I hope you get your knee surgery done asap so you can begin to recover fully. The idea of another surgery must be daunting. I hope you have lots of help and support at home.

Will be thinking of you, especially when i'm feeling sorry for myself. smile

13

I fitted my heel by wearing it while I sit and gradually setting it. Don’t hurry, It took me 2-3 days to figure it out after I got the boot.

14

As soon as any weight goes on you need to walk straight upright and level. Avoid secondary injury at all cost. 

15

Thanks I have no idea if my heel is in the right place. I start PT tomorrow hopefully they can help!

16

Hi Machelle,

I too had a difficult time getting my heel placed correctly. One of the nurses in my Ortho's office showed me. I hated the feeling of the plate in my ankle touching the boot. One I became used to the sensation I was ok. 

She backed it into the boot and tightened the first strap then the rest. My foot was sore for about two days. 

Good luck! 

17

Hey Good Luck 😊 ... I am in my 3rd post op week, it’s 3 more weeks I guess and than I will start my PT.  How many weeks did you take to start PT? 

18

Thanks,

How often do you take off your boot? It's so hot here in California I have been taking it off 4 times a day.

 

19

Hi Nidaa,

I start PT today, 6 weeks post op. I'm assuming you are in a cast. They removed my cast 6 weeks in took xrays, gave me the cam boot. I think 6 weeks is about average.

Good luck, This process is sooo slow!

20

No, my surgeon didn’t put me in cast after operation. He gave me the boot to wear it when I want to move on walker. My stitches are cut, and the wound is healing nicely as well the bone, according to the last X-ray. I do have 2 plates and screws in my bone, I hope the PT process is not painful. Wish you a speedy recovery