How to Walk in a Walking Boot After Bunion Surgery

Updated on: August 10, 2023

Protecting the foot during the healing process is the most important aspect of the recovery. The walking boot might be irritating, but it can make walking a smooth experience. If you don’t know how to walk in a walking boot after bunion surgery, we’ll provide you instructions on how to walk comfortably and enjoy a more active lifestyle.

What Are the Initial Steps to Walking With a Walking Boot

The slow recovery requires you to be patient. You can’t expect to return to normal within the first week after the procedure. A walking boot is given to the patient four days after the surgery during the follow-up visit.

During this initial stage, you may walk 20 minutes per hour without placing all the weight on the operated foot. Every week you can increase the walking time by 10 minutes each hour.

Follow the Surgeon’s Instructions

Implement every advice of the surgeon. Visit the doctor’s office following the operation for check-ups, and take note of all the precautions you need to take. About two weeks after the bunion surgery, get an X-ray to see whether the foot is healing properly. If the doctor gives the green light, you’ll be allowed to wear loose shoes by the fifth week of the recovery.

First Fit and Adjust the Boot

Talk to the podiatry specialist in charge of your bunionectomy recovery process. During the first fitting, pay attention to how the walking boot is removed and adjusted. Make sure that the boot fits perfectly to maximize the success of the healing process. Moreover, it’s best not to adjust and change the setting of the boot without consulting a specialist.

How to Walk in a Walking Boot After Bunion Surgery – A Step-by-Step Guide

What is the proper way of walking in the orthopedic boot? The main thing is to take each step with caution and not exert yourself too early in the recovery process. Here is the step-by-step guide.

Start With Partial Weight-Bearing

During the first week, keep the foot elevated to reduce the swelling. By the second week, you will feel better, and you will be allowed to walk a short distance in your home with the walking boot. Don’t place all the weight on the foot (try to keep it below 50%), but use crutches to support yourself.

Practice Proper Gait and Foot Placement

Later, the physical therapist will instruct you to practice proper gait and foot placement. This will eliminate improper walking, which causes foot deformities. This exercise can be done while wearing the walking boot, and it will be much easier to get into your routine with the proper gait.

Take it Slowly and Steady

Listen to the signs the body is giving you. Strenuous activities would impede the progress of the recovery. Let the pain signal when you should and when you should stop the exercise and rest. Be patient and take things slowly until you can switch to wearing comfortable wide shoes for bunions.

Watch for Uneven Surfaces

Don’t overestimate your strength and mobility. Attempting to climb up stairs and walk on uneven ground would be detrimental to the foot. Walk in a controlled environment – only in your home and to places where you can sit and rest.

Avoid Excessive Impact and Strenuous Activities

While wearing the orthopedic boot, you’ll have valuable protection and support. This might trick you into thinking you can do more than you can. For a smooth healing process, it’s essential to avoid excessive impact and strenuous activities. In this way, you won’t face any complications.

Discuss the Walking With Your Surgeon in Miami

To get instructions and advice suitable for your case, you need to discuss the recovery process and walking after the surgery with a specialist. The experts in our Miami clinic, Luxe Foot Surgery, would gladly provide you with helpful instructions on overcoming the healing process. But remember, the results of the procedure depend on how well you recover. So, contact us if you have any additional questions, and we’ll schedule an appointment.