A walking boot or cast is specifically designed for conditions like plantar fasciitis to enhance mobility in the feet. It is a type of medical shoe that provides protection, reduces tension, and relieves inflammation in the foot tissue.
Of all the conservative treatments available for plantar fasciitis, a boot cast provides non-surgical solutions to individuals who have an inflamed fascia in their foot. If total rest does not fit your exhaustive routine, you can opt for a boot cast that will provide your agitated heel some weeks to calm down the irritated ligament and muscles surrounding it.
There are many divided opinions on the effectiveness of boost cast as a stand-alone treatment for plantar fasciitis. In this case, we will not only throw light into these varying experiences but also help you with stay-at-home therapies that you can accommodate with wearing a boot cast. It will increase your chances of recovering from the debilitating condition of plantar fasciitis and help you keep moving throughout the day.
Before all of that, let’s first quickly understand what plantar fasciitis is and some triggers that can lead to this condition.
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What is Plantar Fasciitis?
A band of tissue connects all the way from the arch of your foot to the toes. This ligament is known as the fascia of your foot. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that develops when there is an inflammation or rupture in this fibrous tissue.
It is a common foot condition, and there are several reasons why you must have developed this. Ranging from standing/walking for prolonged hours to running on concrete surfaces to even dealing with obesity—this stabbing pain in your heel can occur due to a lot of reasons.
What Triggers Plantar Fasciitis?
Understanding the triggers of plantar fasciitis can help you recognize the source of the problem and keep this painful foot condition at bay in the future. We have listed down some of the most common triggers that you should be aware of below:
Obesity or Slight Weight Gain
If you have gained weight through fat accumulation or even built more muscle mass, then you might want to reduce it as excess weight can put a strain on your tissues and heel. It is an unfriendly trigger because even if you have recovered plantar fasciitis once, you can still develop it again in the future if you regain the weight.
If you are pregnant, it is not advisable to opt for weight loss. We suggest you take ample rest, remove unnecessary strain from your feet, and consult a doctor for alternative treatments.
Watch Your Shoes
Switching to better and more supportive shoes does hold not only true in cases of sportswear and workwear but also casual footwear. When you have a pair of shoes that do not fit the measurements of your feet, it can further put more strain on your heel and plantar fascia.
Some of the best shoes for plantar fasciitis online can help you find support, cushioning, stability, and comfort.
Slow Down on Intense Exercise
Exercises or physical activities like athletics, dance, gym-workout, etc., can eventually damage your arch tissues and heel. If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, you might want to slow down vigorous exercise and focus more on stretching and light jogs.
In cases where your plantar fasciitis worsens, we suggest you consult your trainer or physician for further steps. You can even prevent future instances of this foot condition by sharing your history of plantar fasciitis with your trainer so that they can devise a workout regime accordingly.
Spraining Ankle
Avoiding injuries and accidents can be next to impossible. However, you can at least try to watch over your workspaces, stairs, and even when you’re walking or jogging. When you twist or sprain your ankle, you can put a lot of strain on your lower foot muscles, which can act as a contributing factor to a possible diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.
Calf Tightness
One of the main reasons trainers always suggest stretches that focus on calf muscles is that they always behave as a warning before plantar fasciitis. If the tightness in your calf muscles persists, it is advisable to see your doctor immediately.
Reasons To Wear A Walking Boot For Plantar Fasciitis
Walking boot or cast has been acknowledged as a viable treatment for plantar fasciitis. There are several reasons you must wear a plantar fasciitis cast during the course of your treatment:
- If your PF condition has become chronic;
- None of the alternative stay-at-home treatments like resting, icing, therapy, and cushioning are alleviating your condition;
- If you have a tear in your plantar fascia ligament that needs professional opinion;
- If your heel needs surgery;
- In cases of a rupture.
The above circumstances are your wake-up call to using a walking boot. It will help relieve the built-up stress in your heel and reduce pain. There are some types of boots or casts that your certified doctor might prescribe you, one of which is CAM or Controlled Ankle Motion walker.
However, it is essential to remember that a cast or walker is not the be-all and end-all for plantar fasciitis treatment. It is simply a supportive measure for your foot condition, which provides time for your foot to heal and rest. You may experience a recurrence of pain within a few days after you remove the cast as well.
Is It Necessary To Wear A Boot For Plantar Fasciitis?
By all means, a walker or a cast for your plantar fasciitis is but a treatment measure. It is not obligatory to wear it if you have developed this condition. There are some cases where individuals suffering from PF can only relieve their inflammation through hot or cold compresses or are unable to find improvement through other mild treatments.
How Long To Wear A Boot For Plantar Fasciitis?
The duration of how long you will have to wear a walking boot or cast will depend on your doctor’s prescription. While you might have to wear it for at least one to two weeks for 24 hours a day, the duration can extend according to how you are responding to the treatment. Some case reports suggest the average time to wear a walking cast or boot for plantar fasciitis treatment can range between three to six weeks.
If you see improvement in your foot condition within a certain period, you can discuss it with your doctor and work on removing the cast before the prior fixed time limit.
Dr Kristine has a Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from New York College of Podiatric Medicine, and currently assists our team of shoe experts by fact-checking and confirming the information presented to the readers. As a podiatrist, she has previously worked with numerous athletes, working professionals, and high to low activity individuals on the impacts of a lifestyle on their feet. She has submitted many research papers on the role of the correct footwear in foot health and how to take adequate care of your feet.
Previously, she worked in a foot clinic attached to a hospital, before she decided to have a private practice in 2012. She has more than 15 years of experience in foot health and has been incredibly gracious in providing her expertise to the Wearsty team! Her patients have ranged from ordinary people ailing with foot problems regarding obesity, old age, and foot stress—to athletes, runners, and workers who have demanding routines.
