Dropping that fifty-pound monkey wrench on your foot was not a good idea. Perhaps you fell and landed on your feet only to find out, oops, you’re not a cat. Or maybe you made the mistake of trying to teach an elephant the waltz. Or maybe you got really mad at your pick-up truck one day and kicked it. (That last one actually happened to an uncle of mine.)
Somehow you managed to get to a doctor, (We hope you didn’t try to drive with a broken foot.) got an x-ray, diagnosed with a broken foot and now you have a cast. You don’t want to be sedentary for the six to eight weeks it could take to heal. That isn’t very healthy for the rest of you at all. With a little assistance, you may be able to get around and do your normal routine. You may need to get a different pair of shoes first.
What You SHOULD Wear With a Broken Foot
If you are in the market for a suitable shoe for a broken foot, here is a little checklist to refer to.
- A thick and rigid sole Usually, a flexible sole is desirable but if you are nursing a broken foot, the firm is the way to go. It may be a little awkward at first, walking like Frankenstein’s monster, but your foot needs maximum support.
- Good arch support There are over the counter arch supports and custom arch support. Either one will work very well in giving you the necessary support. Skip this if you are part of the small percentage that can’t stand any arch support.
- A toe box that is wide and soft This is a plus in any shoe at any time. Your feet are already confined. Your foot needs support but your toes need to breathe. Comfort is the number one trait to look for.
- Rearfoot control Here is another thing you must be looking for in any shoe. If the shoe has no support in the back, then the toes have to do all the work. This causes strain on the tendons and can result in injuring the whole foot and even the lower leg.
What NOT to Wear With a Broken Foot
Do not walk around barefoot or wear flip-flops with a broken foot. In fact, this is probably what led to you having a broken foot to start with. Wearing nothing but socks is hardly half a step from being barefoot.
You should not wear anything with a sole that bends too easily. If you want something to wear just around the house Crocs are recommended. Put them on right after drying off from a shower and don’t take them off until bedtime. Anytime you need to get out of bed, put those Crocs on.
The Reviews:
Your doctor may be able to give you some tips on what kind of shoe is best. If you get a prescription your insurance may even be able to cover the costs.
1. United Ortho Short Air Cam Walker Fracture Boot
The United Ortho air short cam walking boot offers premium support and stability after an injury or post-operative procedure. The air short cam walking boot may be utilized for soft tissue injuries, acute ankle sprains, stable lower leg, foot, and ankle fractures as well as post-operative use.
United Ortho has been available to medical professionals and consumers in need of affordable yet high-quality products for the last forty years. They design, construct and distribute a wide range of bracing solutions with a dedication to customer satisfaction.
Features and Benefits:
The plastic molded uprights featuring steel reinforcement for improved durability aids in supporting the limb while offering protection. The rocker sole and shock-absorbing insole aids in the promotion of a natural gait that allows the continuation of everyday activities. The medial and lateral air bladders provide individualized compression to improve comfort. It supports patients up to three hundred pounds.
What We Like:
- This boot is durable enough to support a limb while providing protection.
- The insole encourages a natural gait.
- The air bladder makes the fit adjustable.
- There is a good balance of ample cushioning and optimal support.
What We Don’t:
- The sizing varies from one person to another.
- The air pump does not always work as it should.
2. Ossur Rebound Air Walker Boot
The Ossur Rebound Air Walker is the number one choice for people recovering from a broken foot. If the patient needs support for the Achilles tendon (common in a metatarsal stress fracture) this is the most ideal boot for the situation.
For stability and comfort, this brace will give the patient everything the patient needs. The inflatable technology provides a customizable fit. They give support and compression while still remaining comfortable.
Features and Benefits:
The fully integrated air pump and release valve provide an easy method of inflation and deflation. The rocker bottom encourages a stable and natural gait. The toe bumper offers extra protection. The lining wicks away moisture to keep the foot dry.
What We Like:
- A natural gait is promoted by the rocker bottom.
- The toe bumper is trimmable.
- The foot will stay dry and comfortable.
- The valve is easy to use and requires no tools.
- The boot both cushions and stabilizes the foot.
What We Don’t:
- The air pump does not always work properly.
- The durability is questionable.
3. Vive Post Op Shoe – Lightweight Medical Walking Boot with Adjustable Strap
It looks like a sandal and is even more comfortable. It is adjustable enough to be worn on either foot. It provides stable protection after post-operative procedures and forefoot trauma.
The post-op shoe by Vive is both lightweight and durable. It provides a safe and secure fit with two adjustable straps that let the surgical walking boot accommodate dressings with ease. While it has an open toe design it can still keep your bandages clean and dry.
Features and Benefits:
The adjustable surgical walking boot comes with a rocker sole that supports the arch and lowers pressure on the foot. Two adjustable straps make a custom and secure yet comfortable fit. The non-skid tread of this post-op shoe offers additional stability while walking.
The shoe is lightweight and has a comfortable square toe box that serves as a bumper that protects the toes and offers enough room for bandages. The versatile square toe design can be utilized on either foot.
What We Like:
- The shoe is lightweight.
- The fit is adjustable.
- The shoe is breathable.
- There is plenty of arch support.
- The wide square toe box provides room.
What We Don’t:
- Needs more support in the ankle area.
- There is not enough lining.
4. Aircast FP (Foam Pneumatic) Walker Brace/Walking Boot
Here is one of the best walking cast boots that can be used for a broken foot. These boots were created with the purpose of providing the patient with maximum support, protection, and ease of mobility. The Aircast FP (Foam Pneumatic) Walker Brace/Walking Boot is useful for recovering from injury while still going through everyday activities.
They come with plenty of room for dressings and will provide support without compromising on comfort. Between the air bladders and the foam, this boot has what it takes to provide a comfortable and adjustable fit.
Features and Benefits:
The low rocker sole promotes a natural method of walking. The two adjustable distal aircells offer both support and compression. It is a universally fitting shoe that can be worn by either gender on either leg.
It comes with a padded liner for extra comfort. Two straps over the shin and one strap over the instep make a shoe that stays on securely. While plastic should prove to be cooler in the summer.
What We Like:
- The shoe is comfortable and stable.
- There is ample room for dressings.
- The distal aircells are adjustable and offer support and compression.
- The upper portion can fit inside the leg of boot cut jeans, allowing you to look almost normal when outside.
- The rocker sole makes walking easier.
What We Don’t:
- The Velcro wears thin quickly.
- It’s a bit bulky, suited better for people on crutches.
5. Aircast AirSelect Walker Brace/Walking Boot
The Aircast AirSelect Walker Brace / Walking Boot is one of the most-advanced of walking boots. It is engineered to offer a premium experience in protection, comfort, and control of swelling.
It features a streamlined and open-frame design that offers ventilation. The skid-resistant, non-marking rubber tread makes for improved traction and longer wear.
Features and Benefits:
A semi-rigid, durable shell aids in support of the limb while offering full-shell protection. Overlapping Duplex air cells line the shell offering isolated pneumatic compression for three times faster reduction of edema.
The front panel is already inflated and integrated with the overlapping air cells which supply a complete contact fit. SoftStrike technology dissipates and absorbs shock as the lightweight and lab-tested rocker sole encourages natural mobility and a continuation of daily activities.
What We Like:
- The durable and semi-rigid shell aids in support.
- The shoe is lightweight.
- The rocker sole promotes a natural gait.
- The open frame offers ventilation.
- The traction is great.
What We Don’t:
- Not all people find it comfortable.
- There isn’t enough arch support.
How To Tell If a Foot is Broken
If the break is not so bad bones are puncturing the skin it can be a little hard to tell. Bones do not have nerve endings, after all. If you are unable to bear your weight on a foot without intense pain you may have to see a doctor. Your doctor may look at and palpate the foot to determine if an x-ray is necessary. If any pressure on the foot causes pain, you likely will be off to radiology.
A bone scan, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound might be used but usually, a simple x-ray will do the job. You’ll be injected with a local sedative so you won’t feel a thing when the bone is set. Biting the bullet went the way of the cowboy. Once the bone is placed so that it will knit properly, plaster bandages will be wrapped around it to keep it immobilized to allow for healing.
First Aid for a Broken Foot
Remember that first aid is just that. It is what has to be done initially to keep the bone stabilized and elevated until you can get an expert to look at it. Follow these steps if you or someone else may have a broken foot.
- Start by making a splint. Anything that prevents the injured foot from moving will be effective. A commonly accepted method is a pillow wrapped around the foot like a stirrup. It should then be taped or tied with a bandage.
- Do not wrap up the foot so tightly that the blood supply to the foot is cut off. Any splint that results in the foot being in even worse pain, turning blue, or just makes it hard to wiggle the toes should be taken off right away.
- Elevating the injured foot can aid in easing the swelling and pain. The foot must be at a higher level than the rest of the body. The patient should be lying flat with the foot propped up by several pillows.
- Wrap ice in a thick cloth and apply it to the hurt foot to ease swelling and pain for the first few hours after an injury. Apply the ice pack for twenty minutes at a time every waking hour after the injury for twenty-four hours.
- Do not try to walk on an injured foot.
- Over the counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for pain.
Conclusion
Getting around on a broken foot is difficult. Here are a few tips on using crutches. Keep the crutches straight and close to you. The tips should be in line with your shoulders and your elbows straight. The pads should be three finger lengths below the armpits.
If your injured foot cannot bear weight, bend the leg to keep it off the ground. Place the crutches forward and let your legs swing between them. The gait may feel a bit apelike at first but it’s preferable to moving like an ATAT from the Star Wars movies. Keep this and the shoe tips in mind and you can tolerate your broken foot until it finishes healing.
References:
- https://topfootwears.com/best-shoes-after-broken-foot
- https://footwearboss.com/best-shoes-for-broken-foot-recovery
- http://podiatryshoereview.blogspot.com/2012/04/podiatrist-shoe-recommendations-for.html
- https://www.emedicinehealth.com/broken_foot/article_em.htm
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/broken-foot#1