Fractures, Walking Boots and Exercise

MSeel1984
MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I broke my foot this past Monday. I got to an orthopedic doctor (who was terrible) and he put me in a walking boot. I have an appointment to get a second opinion this week, but in the meantime, I'm kind of stuck. I've been doing Pilates and Cycling because the doc said those things are ok, but I had a question more in relation to the walking boot itself.

If anyone here has ever had to wear one, did you sleep with it on? It's keeping me up at night. It's uncomfortable and actually making the pain worse. I'm exhausted. I was up again...early...5:30 this morning. I'm cranky and so tired. I ended up taking the boot off last night because I couldn't sleep.

Any advice would be helpful. I'm miserable enough not being able to do ballet or run, but not being able to sleep is making me so miserable. :(

Replies

  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
    The point of the walking boot (I've asked) is to distribute your weight across a larger area, i.e. less force per inch/less force on the break, when you weight-bear. There is 100% no medical reason to wear it when you are horizontal. Unless you're, like, using the leg press machine, I guess.

    I don't like them, either. I've used a splint and crutches instead of the moon boot before when it gets too annoying. Wearing a shoe on the other foot with a sole the same thickness as the boot helps a little.
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    I know-that's the other problem. My hip is starting to hurt on the OTHER side of my body because my legs are uneven. I've been using crutches and not walking on the boot if I'm going long distances...Ugh. Trying to do physical activity to stay in shape...(Pilates and stationary bike) but I really miss dancing.
  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
    I know, hon. My heart aches for you. You made it through the ankle sprain this winter; you got this, too.

    I think half of the point of the moon boot is that it sucks so much you just end up sitting all the time. :(
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    It is true, though yesterday I got into the yard and did some weeding/gardening...today I made a point of not taking the shuttle and using my crutches to get from the parking garage to work. I'll do that on the way back too, just because the lack of activity is starting to get to me mentally. I wanted to get up and do Pilates this morning, but Saturday night I had a horrible night of sleep (woke up multiple times my foot was hurting) so last night I took some of the pain medicine that was prescribed to me. I've been hesitating to take it because the stuff is a narcotic, but I wanted to sleep last night so badly. I didn't wear the walking boot to bed and that helped a lot because the walking boot is super uncomfortable to sleep in.

    I feel bad for my husband too because I've been such a "Debbie Downer" since it happened. He tries to cheer me up but without ballet I'm a major grouch :(

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