Using crutches with a walking boot is common after lower limb injuries or surgeries. The decision to use both devices is not always straightforward, as it depends on the injury’s nature and severity, and medical guidance. Understanding each device’s role clarifies why they are often prescribed together.
Understanding the Purpose of Each
A walking boot immobilizes, supports, and protects an injured lower leg, ankle, or foot. These boots are used for conditions like broken bones, severe sprains, tendon injuries, and post-surgical recovery. They stabilize the injured area, allowing it to heal by restricting movement and reducing further damage. The boot’s rigid structure helps distribute body weight and alleviate pressure on healing tissues.
Crutches serve as mobility aids. Their purpose is to transfer weight from the lower body to the upper body, reducing the load on an injured limb. This offloading allows the injured area to rest and heal without undue stress. Crutches are prescribed when a person needs balance assistance or cannot safely bear full weight on their injured leg.
When to Use Both Crutches and a Walking Boot
The combined use of a walking boot and crutches is necessary for non-weight bearing (NWB) or partial weight bearing (PWB). Non-weight bearing means putting no weight on the injured foot or leg, which is crucial in initial phases of severe injuries or after complex surgeries. The walking boot protects and stabilizes the injury, while crutches ensure no stress is placed on healing tissues by preventing ground contact.
Partial weight bearing allows limited weight on the injured limb, as determined by a healthcare provider, typically ranging from a light touch to a certain percentage of body weight. The boot provides protection and support, while crutches help manage the load, preventing excessive pressure that could hinder healing. This gradual reintroduction of weight is a controlled process, guided by medical professionals, to ensure proper healing without setback. Situations like severe sprains, certain tendon injuries, or transitioning from a non-weight bearing phase often require this combined approach.
Gradual Transition and Safe Mobility
Moving safely with crutches and a walking boot is important for recovery. When walking, move both crutches forward with the injured leg, then step through with the uninjured leg, bearing weight through the hands. For stairs, the guideline “good to heaven, bad to hell” means the uninjured leg leads going up, and the injured leg leads going down, always followed by crutches. A handrail, if available, provides additional stability.
As healing progresses, a healthcare provider guides the transition from non-weight bearing to partial, and eventually full weight bearing. This involves gradually reducing crutch reliance, perhaps moving from two crutches to one, then walking solely with the boot. Physical therapy helps restore strength, balance, and normal walking patterns. For comfort and proper body alignment, some use a shoe leveler on their uninjured foot to compensate for the boot’s height.
Important Considerations for Recovery
Adhering strictly to medical advice is important throughout recovery. Boot and crutch use varies significantly, typically from weeks to months, depending on injury severity and individual healing rates. Regular follow-up appointments allow your doctor to assess progress and adjust weight-bearing status.
Be vigilant for signs indicating a complication requiring medical attention. These include severe or increasing pain, persistent numbness or tingling, or worsening swelling and discoloration. Skin irritation or sores beneath the boot, or symptoms of a blood clot (e.g., throbbing calf pain, redness), also require prompt doctor consultation. Proper use of the boot and crutches, as prescribed, is important for optimal healing and minimizing re-injury risk.