Cam boot

A CAM boot (controlled ankle motion boot), also known as a walking boot, is a specifically designed medical tool used to assess and protect the injured foot and ankle by restricting motion in joints and muscles. It is an essential orthopedic treatment, normally used in fractures, sprains, and post-operative recoveries.

Types of CAM boots

There are different types of cam boots, and each is manufactured according to the medical needs of the patients. The posterior leaf-string CAM boot is a type of boot that is often used to treat weakness in the ankle muscles. It works by providing enhanced propulsions during the gait cycle. The pediatric CAM boot is smaller as compared to the standard CAM boot and is designed especially for children and young adults. They are unique and versatile, as they provide adjustable features and straps for growing children. The pneumatic CAM boot usually has padded air chambers that provide comfort and stability. On the other hand, the non-inflatable boots do not have these chambers, but they still provide support to the patients. A tall CAM boot not only covers and protects the ankle but also extends up to the calves. It is used in specific conditions where immobility of the lower leg is required for quick recovery. On the contrary, the short CAM boot is only limited to the ankle, yet it provides enough support and stability to achieve quick recovery. Lastly, to specifically target and heal the fractures on the foot and ankle, walker fracture boots are used.

Uses of CAM boots

There are multiple usage scenarios for these boots. They are primarily used in orthopedic and medical care centers as a part of foot and ankle injury treatments. Similarly, they are also used in rehabilitation and physical therapy centers. Certain corporate wellness programs and offices incorporate such boots as a bonus point for their employees, giving them health benefits instead of financial rewards. The boots can be used as an obstacle in different athletic races and competitions to create an interesting and thrilling game where players have to wear boots while running. Many health insurance companies may provide the facility of boots to their customers by covering its cost to provide better health opportunities. Lastly, the medical equipment rental centers also have such boots to give on rent to various hospitals and healthcare centers to ensure timely patient recovery.

Benefits of CAM boots

The common use of the ankle CAM boot is to treat sprains and fractures by providing stability and strength to bones while minimizing excessive movement. On the other hand, people who have gone through foot or ankle surgeries also use this boot to protect their stitches and operation sites. Females who have inflamed bones also find this boot beneficial in terms of minimizing pain and reducing inflammation. Not only fractures and sprains but ligament tears and tendon injuries are also treated using boots, which heal the bones by immobilization. Besides all these injuries and operations, there are certain conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and degenerative joint disease, that require CAM boots to treat and heal the bones. Lastly, there are certain conditions in which the bones and muscles are not directly exposed to the injuries and operations, but they are weak naturally. In such cases, boots are used to treat weakness by providing stability and strength.