This week alone, we’ve already seen a high number of injuries that required a moon boot to achieve optimal healing outcomes in a relatively short time frame. So naturally, we thought we’d write about it in case this may help you too! We’ve treated:

• An Achilles tendon rupture
• Ankle fracture
• 4th metatarsal fracture
• 5th metatarsal styloid fracture

 

All of these patients were very keen to get back on their feet and back to staying active and on-the-go, so a big part of their treatment involved offloading with a moon boot combined with laser treatment to speed up the healing and repair potential.

Because many people are initially uncertain as to whether a moon boot is right for them, is necessary for them, or if the inconvenience of wearing a boot is worth their while, we thought we’d shed some light on the what-when’s-and-why’s of moon boots with these moon boot FAQ’s!

 

What exactly is a moon boot?

A moon boot is a device that straps around your foot and lower leg – similar to the length of a below-the-knee boot. It replaces your shoe. Moon boots come in many different varieties – some with open toes, some that finish lower on the leg and some that finish right below the knee. The one you get depends completely on your injury and what is going to get the best results for you, so should be prescribed by your Podiatrist.

The function of a moon boot is to offload the injured area, whether that be a bone, a tissue, a muscle or anything else. It is indicated as a gold standard part of clinical treatment for a number of injuries.

 

Do I really need a moon boot? Can I just wear comfy shoes or joggers instead?

If you’ve been prescribed a moon boot, then your injury is serious. It means that we need to be very careful with the way your injury heals to get the best outcomes and reduce the risk for any long-term complications. We highly recommend that if you’ve been prescribed a moon boot, to keep it on as per your practitioner’s instructions until they say it’s safe to take it off (when sufficient healing has occurred).

 

So should I just stop walking as much as possible while I’m wearing the moon boot?

Surprisingly, no. While we want to offload in the injured area, we also want to maintain good blood flow to the feet and legs to maintain optimum recovery conditions.

 

How long do I have to wear the moon boot for?

Your Podiatrist will tell you exactly how long you should keep the boot on for as it truly depends on the extent of your injury which will most likely be confirmed by x-ray or ultrasound. We’ve had patients in moon boots for anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. Once an adequate amount of healing and repair have occurred, we can switch to an alternative offloading method, like through orthotics and footwear.

 

Do I have to take time off work when I’m in the boot?

If you’re a postie and spend all day on your feet, most likely. If you work in an office where you’re able to sit throughout the majority of the day, likely not. It truly depends on what you do, what your work will allow, and how much pain you’re experiencing – and whether that pain will compromise your ability to work.

 

Will I walk differently in a moon boot?

Simply put, yes. Moon boots will take a little getting used to, and they will feel very different, but this is exactly what we’d expect with any device that offers significant offloading to one foot. Your other foot and leg will be taking on more weight/pressure, but it’s only for a certain period of time, and it’s essential for your recovery.

 

Which conditions can moon boots help with?

Any condition where a tissue, muscle or bone has been injured can benefit from a moon boot, but due to the impact that a moon boot can have on your ability to complete daily activities, it may not always be necessary if your injury is only minor. We prescribe moon boots many conditions, including:

• Plantar fascia tears
• Achilles tendon tears
• Muscular tears
• Tendon ruptures
• Bone breaks
• Stress fractures
• Freiberg’s

 

We may also prescribe a moon boot if your injury is not responding to standard care and you are not experiencing the pain relief you need, or the pain is so severe that you are unable to walk.

What can I be doing to maximise the effect of a moon boot?

We often pair moon boots with:

• Laser treatment to speed up repair
• Heat application to facilitate healing at home
• Elevation to help control swelling
• Toe movements or ankle movements (where not contraindicated to the injury) including scrunching and splaying of the toes, rolling the ankles, stretching the tissues at the bottom of the foot

 

These complementary treatments must be prescribed by your Podiatrist so that you can be confident that they are helping and not hindering your injury. Helping our patients get the best recovery result so they can get back to doing the things they love is something that we love and specialise in here at Sole Motion Podiatry.

 

If you’ve sustained an injury and are wondering if a moon boot is right for you, come in and get assessed by one of our Podiatrists. We’ll create a treatment plan to help you achieve the best treatment outcomes effectively and efficiently. You can book in by calling 1300-FX-FEET or booking online here.