An orthopedic boot is used for the treatment of injuries of the foot or ankle. Along with

orthopedic cast An orthopedic cast, commonly referred to simply as a cast, is a form of medical treatment used to immobilize and support bones and soft tissues during the healing process after fractures, surgeries, or severe injuries. By restricting movement, ...

s, leg braces, splints and orthotics, they can immobilize and shift weight bearing to help treat injuries to the foot area. Varieties include the ''controlled ankle motion walking boot'' (or ''controlled ankle movement walking boot'', ''below knee walking boot'', ''CAM boot'', ''CAM walker'', or ''moon boot''), an

orthopedic Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics ( alternative spelling orthopaedics) is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and nonsurgical means to treat musculoskeletal ...

device prescribed for the treatment and stabilization of severe

sprain A sprain is a soft tissue injury of the ligaments within a joint, often caused by a sudden movement abruptly forcing the joint to exceed its functional range of motion. Ligaments are tough, inelastic fibers made of collagen that connect two or ...

fractures Fracture is the appearance of a crack or complete separation of an object or material into two or more pieces under the action of stress (mechanics), stress. The fracture of a solid usually occurs due to the development of certain displacemen ...

, and

tendon A tendon or sinew is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue, dense fibrous connective tissue that connects skeletal muscle, muscle to bone. It sends the mechanical forces of muscle contraction to the skeletal system, while withstanding tensi ...

ligament A ligament is a type of fibrous connective tissue in the body that connects bones to other bones. It also connects flight feathers to bones, in dinosaurs and birds. All 30,000 species of amniotes (land animals with internal bones) have liga ...

tears in the ankle or foot. In situations where ankle motion but not weight is to be limited, it may be used in place of a

cast Cast may refer to: Music * Cast (band), an English alternative rock band * Cast (Mexican band), a progressive Mexican rock band * The Cast, a Scottish musical duo: Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis * ''Cast'', a 2012 album by Trespassers William ...

Description

A walking boot consists of: *An inner lining, usually fabric, with hook and loop fasteners which encloses and cushions the patient's foot and ankle *A rigid frame to restrict motion in the lower leg *A hard plastic shell that provides rigidity and protection to the leg *Adjustable closure system that allows for proper fitting to various leg sizes

Variations

CAM walkers may range in height from mid-calf to nearly knee-length, depending on the condition they are meant to treat. Some contain inflatable compartments that can be adjusted by the patient for maximum support and comfort. For further protection of the injured ankle and leg, CAM walkers may also utilize a more extensive plastic shell that also encloses the back and sides of the walker, with detachable plastic plates for the front.How Does a CAM Walker Work? , LIVESTRONG.COM
/ref>

Comparison to casting

While CAM walkers do not provide the same degree of immobility that an orthopedic cast offers, they have some advantages. Unlike casts, they are adjustable and reusable, and fully removable, permitting the patient to bathe the foot and ankle and remove the walker at night, if they so desire; and a CAM walker requires no special modifications for the patient to bear weight and walk. With some fractures, however, removal may result in worse outcomes and thus this may be a negative; also, with some fractures, the person should be non-weight bearing. Additionally, there is greater cost. For more severe fractures, a traditional cast may still be preferable.

Description

Variations

Comparison to casting

References

Further reading