28 Oct Moon Boots: What To Expect When You Need To Wear A Moon Boot
Need to get a moon boot? Most of us are on our feet all day, so when your foot gets injured, unfortunately, there’s not much time to put your feet up and recover as needed. But you still need to be able to protect it and allow it to heal, but how? Well, the good news is that you probably won’t have to wear an annoying and itchy cast, but instead, we have the moon boot.
Overall, using a moon boot is pretty simple, but it can take some getting used to. So, in this article, you’ll find a quick guide to understanding what you need to know about wearing a moon boot.
What is a moon boot, exactly?
In most cases where people have hurt their feet, you will need to wear a moon boot. A moon boot is a type of device that straps around your foot and the lower part of your leg. They come in a huge range of different types like open-toed, knee-high and ankle moon boots, but ultimately, this device is designed to replace your shoe with a supportive structure that will alleviate pressure from the injured area, regardless of whether it’s a muscle, bone, tissue or another issue. The type of moon boot you get will depend on the type of injury you have and your Podiatrist or Orthopedist’s prescription.
Who should wear a moon boot?
Simply put, if your doctor prescribes you a moon boot, you need to wear it. There are many conditions that may require you to wear a moon boot, but if you only have a minor injury, it may not be necessary to wear one. Conditions that moon boots may be prescribed for include:
- Achilles tendon tears
- Bone breaks
- Freiberg’s
- Muscular tears
- Plantar fascia tears
- Stress fractures
- Tendon ruptures
How long can you expect to wear a moon boot for?
Generally, patients can expect to be in a moon boot anywhere from two weeks to two months. When your doctor or podiatrist prescribes you your moon boot, they will tell you exactly how long you’ll need to wear it. The extent of your injury will generally confirmed when your doctor performs an X-ray or ultrasound.
For the best results and to help your foot heal properly, it’s important to wear it as much as possible during the prescribed period. Once your doctor is satisfied with how your foot is healing, they may recommend you switch to an alternative offloading device like orthotics, or you can start to use your regular shoes again.
How do you fit your moon boot correctly?
Your podiatrist will generally be the person who helps you when getting a moon boot fitted. However, in the case where you were not assisted, here are some steps you should follow to ensure your moon boot fits correctly, as the fit will impact your recovery.
- Measure your foot against the bottom of the boot to check that it is the correct size
- Ensure your heel is positioned comfortably towards the back of your moon boot
- First, tighten the strap that crosses over the ankle so that it fits tightly but comfortably
- The next strap to tighten will be the one at the top, also ensuring that it is tight but not too tight
- Next, fasten the remaining straps on the moon boot so that your foot feels snug but not too tight to avoid unnecessary pressure on the skin
It may take a while to get used to how the moon boot feels, and you may walk a little differently, but most people adjust quite quickly. The device’s purpose is to relieve the pressure on the injured foot, which means your other foot and leg will temporarily support more weight and pressure until you’ve recovered.
Is it possible to maximise the moon boot’s effect?
There are a few things that doctors and podiatrists may recommend to help maximise the effectiveness of the moon boot and speed up recovery. These will vary depending on your injury, and it’s important not to do ones that contradict the effects of the moon boot, so always ask your doctor and not just assume that certain methods will aid with recovery.
Some doctors and podiatrists may recommend:
- Elevating your foot as much as possible to alleviate pressure and minimise swelling
- Doing toe and ankle movements like stretches, scrunching and splaying the toes, and rolling the ankle
- Laser treatment to speed up repair and recovery
Final Thoughts
For anyone who has been prescribed a moon boot, it’s important to wear it consistently and ensure that it is fitted correctly to optimise healing and recovery. The more you stick to wearing your moon boot, the faster you should be to walking around as normal.
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Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD