United Ortho Short Air Cam Walker Fracture Boot, Extra Large, Black

No, just good design.I had a severe sprain and ankle break, followed by surgery 4 weeks ago. The plaster splint was comfortable, but the very expensive boot they gave me was so painful that I wound up taking most of it apart before I could get replacement cushioning in it. The heel was far too tight and the straps rubbed my newly-healing incision. The boot hurt much more than the surgery! I finally said , "Enough is Enough!!!" and started looking for something else so I could sleep at night. I just slipped right into this and it feels like a cloud surrounding my ankle. I've got at least another 2-3 weeks of this, so I'm incredibly grateful that rolling the dice actually worked. I like that the inflation pump is relatively soft and sits towards the front of the boot instead of being super hard and jutting out directly into my right knee. I also appreciate the extra foam pads that are included with this boot. It's also soft on the back, so that when elevating the foot, it doesn't affect my knee, making it ache from the uncomfortable position. Wow! I don't know how I lasted so long!In reading more specs, this boot is clearly wider, and its straps accommodate my very high arch without any tightness. The ankle area is nicely padded. I'm sure if I had flat feet (no judgement) and my calves were attached further up my lower leg bones, the other model would've fit much better. I'll be letting my surgeon and the other manufacturer know all the other problems I had with that boot, and that they need to offer more options since few patients have the exact same leg dimensions and ratios. I think it must have been designed for a teen-aged boy's frame. Truly looking forward to a comfortable, pain-free evening......An additional note, the buckles on the boot are directly molded into the sides and stick straight up. They are not attached with rivets & sharp-edged velcro, they aren't loose and don't sit on top of the leg & ankle. This was another source of pain for me in the other boot's design, I couldn't get enough padding under the buckles to stop them from rubbing and digging into the top & side of my ankle; right where my incisions were. The loose buckles would provide more leverage to tighten the boot, but in my case I didn't need the extra pressure. If you look at the photos of the boot you can better see what I'm referring to.

I suffered this gradually increasing pain as a result of straining a tendon or ligament, from my heel to the bottom of my foot. I was hoping it would get better over time. WRONG! The pain intensified, to the point that I was barely mobile. 3 days into this. I went to Dr. and he told me what had happened and to get a CAM boot. I ordered this boot for same day delivery! Read the included instructions and viewed videos. They do not agree, on how to put the boot and cushions on.I chose to assemble the boot and cushion as an assembly; and then push my foot in, from the top. Make sure the insert and your heel are completely down and back in the boot. After tightening the straps; I was just amazed, at the immediate relief and ability to walk, without pain.I only needed mine for about 3 days. Do try and figure out a way, to raise your other foot-height or you will start having hip issues and lower back discomfort. I have had the boot off for 3 days now: and only have a light wrap on my ankle. I am back on gym working on upper body. I am still afraid to push or pull the sled.But tomorrow w will test it out with a reduced weight. I pray this was just an inflamed injury and not a partial tear. If I overdo it:I STILL HAVE THE BOOT!

Well this boot is not fancy but it does the job very well. I live in Florida and never expected to wear a boot down here but here I am with a non-displaced fracture of my right ankle. No surgery needed just a boot which gives the support needed for the ankle to heal. Very grateful not to need surgery and have an appliance that is pretty easy to use; bulky but easy enough. It feels a bit heavy by day's end. I am careful to keep my foot clean and dry and use an anti-fungal deodorant foot spray and sock to help keep the liner and boot as clean and sweet smelling as possible. It's been a week so far and this procedure is working well. The only thing I have been working on is that the boot's sole is about a couple inches thick and finding a shoe in my closet for the left foot to even my stride has been challenging. Won't drive with my right foot encased in an oversized boot on my right foot so shopping is out. Finding a proper shoe on Amazon is my next stop My athletic shoe sole is only an inch high which would be the safest. I am on my third left shoe and finally found a sandal which has a bit of a platform so it feels a lot more normal when walking so I am settling into the process of healing.

I first ordered these medium based on the size guide but it was way too big. I wear a size 9 in women’s but having 2inches of extra space in front of toe was dangerous for potential tripping and also my heel wouldn’t stay put in the back of the boot. For reference, the pic with the coin is the medium and this is me putting weight on the boot so you can see how big it is. I then ordered the size small instead and it’s a better fit. This is not as good as the boot I got from the hospital a decade ago but it’s helping me get around as I recover from a sprained ankle now. Other reasons why I’m not giving 5 stars: the bottom of the boot can easily lead to your foot rotating sideways when stepping since it’s rounded to allow for easy walking. It also could have just put the 3 extra cushion pads in places that need more padding so that you don’t have to place them in yourself each time. I also feel like there’s a bit too much of freedom at the point where your foot bends - I’ve put the little padding there but unless you fill it with lots of air, it can be a bit loosey goosey there.