Do You Need Crutches With a Walking Boot? - Brace Direct

Do You Need Crutches With a Walking Boot?

Did you recently break your leg or foot? Was the break severe enough for you to get a walking boot? If so, you may need to learn how to get around with a walking boot. You might think crutches are essential. Yet, do you need crutches with a walking boot?

Here, you will find out that crutches are not essential for moving with a walking boot, but you will likely need some sort of assistive device. You may prefer using a cane or a walker instead of crutches. If your leg hurts and you want to avoid putting pressure on the joint, you may want to choose a wheelchair instead.

However, we will also outline how you can use crutches and walking boots together. We also cover the different types of crutches available. Ready to learn all about it? Then, keep reading!

Why You May Not Want To Use Crutches With a Walking Boot

walking boot with cane

The simple answer to whether you need crutches with a walking boot is a quick no. However, you should still not put weight onto the walking boot, as it may further harm your foot.

Yet, you can use other types of mobility aids instead of crutches. For example, you might not want to use crutches because it can get awkward to walk around with them. In addition, you may find that the crutches worsen your posture and even hurt your back.

You may end up with blisters on your hands and pain in your armpits if you use crutches for too long. In addition, you may feel inconvenienced by holding crutches. However, you can consider using other mobility devices to help you walk with a walking boot.

Other Assistive Devices Besides Crutches You Can Use

You will find that there are numerous other assistive devices besides crutches you may want to use with your walking boot, which include:

  • Canes
  • Hands-free knee crutches
  • Wheelchairs
  • Walkers
  • Freedom Leg brace
assisted walking with a cane

Cane

Leaning on a cane when on your feet with a walking boot is a practical option. The design of canes is meant to make the user as comfortable as possible. Quality canes will provide you with plenty of stability and strength when moving with a walking boot.

The best canes also have a good grip, traction, and a way to balance. Generally, canes are lightweight when compared to crutches and have better handles. 

Walker or Wheelchair

If you’re truly having trouble walking with the boot, you may want to consider getting a wheelchair until your foot heals completely. You can also use a walker as your mobility tool. The walker is relatively lightweight and slightly wider than the user, which makes it easier to employ.

Leaning on a walker may end up simpler than crutches, as it won’t pinch you in the armpits.

Hands-Free Knee Crutches and Braces

You may also benefit from getting the Freedom Leg brace, which allows you to walk more freely. With the brace, you won’t need crutches while also not leaning too much on your walking boot. The Freedom Leg brace comes in multiple sizes and aligns with both a cast and a walking boot.

Another option is the hands-free knee crutches. You would put the crutches around your injured leg while keeping your hands available for other uses. The knee crutches allow you to put your weight on the knee instead of the injured foot. 

How To Move in a Walking Boot Without Crutches

walking boot for broken foot

You can move your legs in a walking boot without using regular crutches, but you’ll likely need another mobility aid. Traditional crutches make it difficult to walk around, especially if you need to go up or down the stairs. However, you can use a hands-free knee crutch or a leg brace that allows you to move around more easily. 

Why You Might Want to Use Crutches With Walking Boots

If you cannot afford the more impressive mobility tools like wheelchairs, the Freedom Leg brace, or hands-free knee crutches, you may still benefit from using traditional crutches with your walking boot.

After all, the crutch will transfer the weight of the leg to the upper body and ensure your foot won’t hurt. You can also pick customized crutches based on your height. 

The Different Types of Crutches Available

Four types of traditional crutches exist, which include:

  • Triceps crutches
  • Forearm or elbow crutches
  • Axillary or underarm crutches
  • Platform crutches
crutches under arm

Using Crutches With a Walking Boot

When using crutches with your walking boots, you will need to take short steps until you regain your normal gait. The walking boot is usually made with a customized fit and optimal comfort for your foot. Walking merely on the boot itself without crutches can cause pain, so you’ll benefit from the mobility aid. 

Before You Go

Are you still wondering, “Do you need crutches with a walking boot?” Essentially, you will need some type of assistive device to walk around on a walking boot, but it does not have to be crutches. If you don’t like crutches, you may find a wheelchair, walker, or cane more comfortable.

Did you recently break your leg or foot? Was the break severe enough for you to get a walking boot? If so, you may need to learn how to get around with a walking boot. You might think crutches are essential. Yet, do you need crutches with a walking boot?

Here, you will find out that crutches are not essential for moving with a walking boot, but you will likely need some sort of assistive device. You may prefer using a cane or a walker instead of crutches. If your leg hurts and you want to avoid putting pressure on the joint, you may want to choose a wheelchair instead.

However, we will also outline how you can use crutches and walking boots together. We also cover the different types of crutches available. Ready to learn all about it? Then, keep reading!

Why You May Not Want To Use Crutches With a Walking Boot

walking boot with cane

The simple answer to whether you need crutches with a walking boot is a quick no. However, you should still not put weight onto the walking boot, as it may further harm your foot.

Yet, you can use other types of mobility aids instead of crutches. For example, you might not want to use crutches because it can get awkward to walk around with them. In addition, you may find that the crutches worsen your posture and even hurt your back.

You may end up with blisters on your hands and pain in your armpits if you use crutches for too long. In addition, you may feel inconvenienced by holding crutches. However, you can consider using other mobility devices to help you walk with a walking boot.

Other Assistive Devices Besides Crutches You Can Use

You will find that there are numerous other assistive devices besides crutches you may want to use with your walking boot, which include:

  • Canes
  • Hands-free knee crutches
  • Wheelchairs
  • Walkers
  • Freedom Leg brace
assisted walking with a cane

Cane

Leaning on a cane when on your feet with a walking boot is a practical option. The design of canes is meant to make the user as comfortable as possible. Quality canes will provide you with plenty of stability and strength when moving with a walking boot.

The best canes also have a good grip, traction, and a way to balance. Generally, canes are lightweight when compared to crutches and have better handles. 

Walker or Wheelchair

If you’re truly having trouble walking with the boot, you may want to consider getting a wheelchair until your foot heals completely. You can also use a walker as your mobility tool. The walker is relatively lightweight and slightly wider than the user, which makes it easier to employ.

Leaning on a walker may end up simpler than crutches, as it won’t pinch you in the armpits.

Hands-Free Knee Crutches and Braces

You may also benefit from getting the Freedom Leg brace, which allows you to walk more freely. With the brace, you won’t need crutches while also not leaning too much on your walking boot. The Freedom Leg brace comes in multiple sizes and aligns with both a cast and a walking boot.

Another option is the hands-free knee crutches. You would put the crutches around your injured leg while keeping your hands available for other uses. The knee crutches allow you to put your weight on the knee instead of the injured foot. 

How To Move in a Walking Boot Without Crutches

walking boot for broken foot

You can move your legs in a walking boot without using regular crutches, but you’ll likely need another mobility aid. Traditional crutches make it difficult to walk around, especially if you need to go up or down the stairs. However, you can use a hands-free knee crutch or a leg brace that allows you to move around more easily. 

Why You Might Want to Use Crutches With Walking Boots

If you cannot afford the more impressive mobility tools like wheelchairs, the Freedom Leg brace, or hands-free knee crutches, you may still benefit from using traditional crutches with your walking boot.

After all, the crutch will transfer the weight of the leg to the upper body and ensure your foot won’t hurt. You can also pick customized crutches based on your height. 

The Different Types of Crutches Available

Four types of traditional crutches exist, which include:

  • Triceps crutches
  • Forearm or elbow crutches
  • Axillary or underarm crutches
  • Platform crutches
crutches under arm

Using Crutches With a Walking Boot

When using crutches with your walking boots, you will need to take short steps until you regain your normal gait. The walking boot is usually made with a customized fit and optimal comfort for your foot. Walking merely on the boot itself without crutches can cause pain, so you’ll benefit from the mobility aid. 

Before You Go

Are you still wondering, “Do you need crutches with a walking boot?” Essentially, you will need some type of assistive device to walk around on a walking boot, but it does not have to be crutches. If you don’t like crutches, you may find a wheelchair, walker, or cane more comfortable.

Brace Direct believes that all patients should have access to high quality medical braces to help them get out of pain.

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