An ankle sprain is something that almost everyone experiences at some point in their lives, especially if they participate in sports. Do you know that 40% of athletes suffer from this injury at least once? We’ll get into more depth about this condition later. When a person is diagnosed with this ailment, they must wonder if they can wear boots over a sprained ankle. In the next paragraph, I’ll summarize this curiosity:
For a sprained ankle, may I wear a boot? No, you should not wear boots for sprained ankle because they may break ligaments (which we shall discuss later) that have already been stretched, worsening the condition. There are medically made shoes for sprained ankles that should be worn only if your doctor recommends it.
You could also wear ankle support or elevate your shoes (again, according to your doctor’s advice).
What Is An Ankle Sprain?
If you are a teenager who enjoys running and playing, and you suddenly develop acute pain in your ankle, you will find yourself sitting in discomfort. Don’t be alarmed; this is a common ailment. However, the length of time it takes to mend and the severity of the pain will be determined by how badly you sprained your ankle.
Three ligaments connect the bones in your foot to the bones in your ankle. When you apply tremendous pressure on these bones when playing or running, you put even more pressure on the ligaments. Depending on the severity of your pain, the inferior ligaments may be strained or entirely ripped in this scenario.
- Stage 1: This is a typical adolescent stage. Because the ligaments may be somewhat strained, it will cause minor discomfort. In this situation, you can wrap an ankle brace around your ankle, avoid running, and maintain your ankle under minimal pressure. Apply some oil and give yourself a massage, and you’ll be in shape in no time.
- Stage 2: This is a common stage among teenagers, however it has slightly more consequences. Bed rest is advised, as is the usage of ankle support once more. You should take pain medication (if necessary) and avoid putting too much pressure on your ankle if you don’t want to progress to stage three. Also, if necessary, contact your doctor.
- Stage 3: At this point, the ligaments may be completely ripped, producing significant pain and other complications. You should seek medical attention right away (because you won’t be able to move your ankle at this point). If necessary, get an MRI and X-rays.
I don’t recommend wearing boots throughout any of the periods listed above; instead, wear ankle support in your Sandal. We’ll talk about essential boots if you have to wear them because of certain situations, such as snow in your location, but first, let’s look at the symptoms to see if it’s ankle pain or something else.
Can I Wear A Boot For A Sprained Ankle?
Order a pair of medical walking boots that are one size larger than your foot size. When you acquire it, tighten the straps to give sturdy ankle support. These shoes are designed to fit up to your knee size, so your ankle should feel secure while walking. Begin by taking small steps and without bending your feet (though the boots’ grip will prevent you from doing so). It is recommended that you only use these for walking and not for sitting or lying down.
How Is Ankle Sprain Caused?
If you forget to drink that glass of milk every day, which provides calcium to your bones, or if you don’t drink milk at all, your bones will be weak, and you will be more prone to sprain your ankle. Spraining an ankle is most commonly caused by weakness, so be healthy and hydrated to avoid it.
Another reason might be if you’re running and quickly turn around.
It would put a lot of pressure on your ankle, causing it to sprain; instead, getting a slip would be a better solution. Falling when jogging or descending stairs can sprain your ankle, and if you’re having a bad day, you could sprain your ankle while peacefully walking.
Benefits of a Walking Boot
The only reason you’ll need to wear a walking boot for this long is to protect your ankle. The body can knit back together by keeping the foot in the same position and not moving it. Because of the body’s movement, the bones, ligaments, and tendons can mend without stretching or compressing.
In addition, the walking boot’s design keeps the ankle at the proper position to allow the foot to heal. This will happen without generating any scarring or other issues.
As a result, you won’t be able to put on and take off the walking boot on a regular basis. To allow your body to heal, you should try to keep it on at all times. If you do not, you may experience problems in the future, such as increased discomfort or muscular tightness.
It may seem like a long time to be restricted in what you can do with your leg for twelve weeks, but it is the best thing you can do for your body while you recuperate.
How long do I need to wear a walking boot for an ankle sprain?
An ankle sprain is divided into three categories.
- The ankle ligaments are stretched in a grade 1 ankle sprain.
The initial soreness will fade away in around 1-2 days on average.
It’s probably a good idea to wear an ankle brace or an ankle protection boot for at least 5-7 days to protect it.
- A grade 2 ankle sprain occurs when the ankle ligaments are partially torn or stretched.
The pain and soreness may take up to two weeks to go away on average.
The ankle will be unstable for up to four weeks before it becomes safe to walk on again.
We advocate wearing a walking boot to speed up the healing process.
As you move away from the walking boot, you’ll need to switch to an ankle brace.
- A grade 3 ankle sprain is a serious condition that necessitates a consultation to your podiatrist.
It’s possible that this is a full rupture, and it’s also possible that a shattered bone is involved. This sort of injury might sometimes necessitate surgery.
A grade 3 ankle sprain necessitates the use of a walking boot, medical boot, or Aircast for at least 4-6 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy a boot for a sprained ankle?
- If you have a prescription and are at your podiatrist’s office or a medical supply store, your insurance may pay the cost.
- A medical walking boot or an Aircast walking boot is usually covered by most insurance policies. This is arguably the most effective approach to ensure a correct fit.
- It is less expensive to buy a boot online, and for some people, this may be a better option if they have insurance concerns.
- The caveat is that you should always check with your doctor to ensure that you’ve been correctly diagnosed and that you’re wearing the right shoes.
Can I wear a boot for a sprained ankle?
- Wearing the medical walking boot for a more severely damaged ankle is, in our opinion, an excellent option.
- Early protection with a walking boot, followed by early physical therapy and transition into a walking ankle brace, has been shown to be effective in studies.
- For appropriate diagnosis, we always advocate consulting with your podiatrist and maybe receiving physical therapy following.
How long do I need to wear a walking boot for sprained ankle?
- It may only be essential for a few days in the case of a grade 1 ankle sprain.
- It would most likely take at least 1-2 weeks to recover from a grade 2 ankle sprain.
- In the case of a grade 3 ankle sprain, it may be necessary to wear for up to 4-6 weeks.
- Just make sure to schedule an appointment with your podiatrist or foot and ankle expert for a thorough examination and diagnosis.
Is a boot good for sprained ankle?
- A medical walking boot, in our opinion, is a wonderful solution for a damaged ankle, especially if the injury is more serious.
- The foot will be protected with a medical walking boot, which will avoid any severe or serious damage.
- According to recent research, starting with a medical walking boot or orthopedic boot for a sprained ankle is a recommended choice.
Do I need foot boot for a sprained ankle?
- A medical walking boot is another name for the foot boot.
- Yes, this can be quite helpful, and studies show that it is the safer first option in an unstable ankle sprain.
Further Advice
Overall, you should expect to be wearing a walking boot for six to twelve weeks. This is dependent on the type of injury. As previously stated, you should do all possible to guarantee that your body can carry out its natural functions. Allow your body to heal without aggravating the damage.
If you have a sprain yourself, you may be in need of ankle support. We can offer a variety of options to ensure you don’t lose your competitive advantage. Check out our selection of braces and supports to maintain your body in great condition.