What are Walking Braces and Do You Need One?

Doctors nowadays tend to treat small feet fractures with walking braces and boots instead of heavy casts. Walking boots are lighter and more comfortable to wear for someone with a small foot or tibia fracture. They are easier to walk with, as you do not need to twist your leg to walk, like with old fashioned casts that had rubber heels inserted. Now a person with a walking boot can heal much better without straining other muscles.

There is a wide variety of walking braces and supports available on the market, each designed for different ailments and different treatments. For instance, someone suffering from a foot trauma can wear a walking brace after the operation to help it heal. There are also walking supports designed to provide stability to ankles damaged by acute sprains.

Depending on which part of the leg, ankle or foot that needs to be stabilized or immobilized, there is a walking brace out there to help it. Some braces are fitted with range of motion (ROM) increments to provide stability while adjustable air cells decrease pain and swelling after surgery. Some are also fitted with low profile rocker bottoms for ease of movement. These braces are mostly indicated for Achilles tendon repair or fractures of the lower leg. If someone needs stronger stability, some walking boots have wider foot beds, either for weak ankles or legs. You can also find ankle walking braces that are available in pediatric sizes as well as adults.

When shopping for a walking boot keep in mind the soles should be cushioned to absorb shock upon heel strike for better comfort and healing of the ankle injury. The padding in these braces help recovery when worn following surgery. Forefoot and midfoot sprains and strains and stable fractures of the foot can be protected and healed with a walker boot designed just for that. To properly heel these ailments, you should find a walking brace that has a wide foot plate to accommodate bandages and increase stability.

With as many foot, ankle, and leg injuries that occur, there need to be just as many walking braces to help patients recover. Some have straps for different purposes, some have liners that can be inflated with integrated pumps for better stabilization and support, some are shorter than others for people where limb length or calf circumference prohibits them from using a standard height walker.

Look for strong, well-built walking boots or braces when you have an injured foot, ankle or lower leg. Your healing will be completed much faster and you can find other protective gear to reduce risks of reoccurring injuries.