“Walking boot?”
I have sprained my ankle again for the second time in like 3-4 months. I already have a walking boot from previous injury-is it always helpful to wear one with a sprain and how long should i wear it?
Female | 41 years old
Complaint duration: 3 days
Conditions: high cholesterol , blood pressure
5 Answers
OrthopedistOrthopaedicSurgeon
Discard the boot
Strengthen the muscles and tendons around the ankle
Strengthen the muscles and tendons around the ankle
Walking boots are always helpful to treat ankle sprains. The length needed depends on the severity of the ankle sprain. Somewhere 2-6 weeks is reasonable. If there is minor swelling and minor pain then it should recover fairly rapidly. However if there is a lot of swelling, black and blue and significant pain you should obtain an x-ray to make sure you do not have a fracture or other serious injury.
Depends on the degree of sprain. Bad ones are 2-6 weeks.
Thank you for sharing your ankle issue with the FATD community. I am happy to share my thoughts, tips and suggestions regarding this issue.
Ankle sprains can be frustrating. If it was a severe sprain then at times a bolt is worn for 2 weeks or so. However, the boot should also be worn with an elastic bandage around the ankle. I suggest this because when one is applied correctly it can greatly help get the swelling to go away and provide some support. Then the boot will offer more support and make it easier to walk.
However, beginning active (allowing your own ankle muscles to move the ankle, toes and foot around) motion with 2 days or so of the injury is very important. What is more important is regaining the strength in the muscles around the ankle and affected leg.
The number one reason why people suffer a second ankle sprain is because they inadequately rehabilitated the first ankle sprain. Getting motion, balance, flexibility and strength in your ankle can help minimize your pain, restore your function and prevent another sprain. Therefore, the boot should come off within 2-3 days of putting it on. An elastic bandage, however, can be worn for 7-10 days (and removed daily for motion and strengthening activities, and to cleanse). It does not need to be worn while sleeping.
I hope this helps.
Ankle sprains can be frustrating. If it was a severe sprain then at times a bolt is worn for 2 weeks or so. However, the boot should also be worn with an elastic bandage around the ankle. I suggest this because when one is applied correctly it can greatly help get the swelling to go away and provide some support. Then the boot will offer more support and make it easier to walk.
However, beginning active (allowing your own ankle muscles to move the ankle, toes and foot around) motion with 2 days or so of the injury is very important. What is more important is regaining the strength in the muscles around the ankle and affected leg.
The number one reason why people suffer a second ankle sprain is because they inadequately rehabilitated the first ankle sprain. Getting motion, balance, flexibility and strength in your ankle can help minimize your pain, restore your function and prevent another sprain. Therefore, the boot should come off within 2-3 days of putting it on. An elastic bandage, however, can be worn for 7-10 days (and removed daily for motion and strengthening activities, and to cleanse). It does not need to be worn while sleeping.
I hope this helps.
Until pain and swelling are gone. With a second episode, the whole leg up to the hip maybe weak. Strengthening the whole leg is generally a good idea.
