“How much pain is too much in a medical boot?”

Thank you for your question.
Its normal to feel some discomfort or stiffness when you first start weightbearing after wearing a cast for several weeks your muscles, tendons, and joints need time to adjust.
However, sharp, severe, or worsening pain is not considered normal and could indicate that your ankle isnt fully ready for full weightbearing.

Mild soreness, tightness, or aching with activity is expected, but if you experience

Intense sharp pain when stepping

Swelling that increases after walking

Throbbing pain that doesnt settle with rest

Feeling unstable or unable to place your foot down

You should contact your doctor or physical therapist.

Its okay to ease into weightbearing gradually with support listen to your body and increase weight as tolerated.

If youd like tips on transitioning out of the boot or gentle strengthening exercises, feel free to reply here Ill be happy to assist you.

It’s normal to experience some discomfort when you start weight-bearing in a walking boot, especially after having a cast for 7 weeks. However, if the pain is severe or doesn’t improve with time, it’s important to contact your doctor. Severe pain could indicate that something isn’t healing correctly or that the boot isn’t fitting properly.

Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you’re concerned about the level of pain you’re experiencing.

If it continues, seek medical help.

Based on your email, you had an ankle fracture 7 weeks ago. At 7 weeks, the bone should be healed and the bone would not be the cause of pain. You should be able to put full weight on it. Your pain is probably due to stiffness of the soft tissues of your ankle due to the cast. As you stretch and move the foot, the pain will get better. Give it a week. If you're not better, go back to see the doctor. Hope it helps!!

Dr. Bose

Since it has been 7 weeks you should be able to put full weight thru the
foot as the doctor requested. It is going to hurt. Slowly start adding
weight thru the foot in the next 2 days and you should be seeing a Physical
therapist to start stretching and exercising the lower leg.
If you have any questions let me know.

Can you use crutches? If so, try putting a small amount of weight through your injured foot while placing the majority of your weight through your hands and the crutches.

Some pain is ok. I would say about 4/10 or so if fine with weight-bearing as long as when you stop weight-bearing/walking the pain goes away. If it lingers for 15+ minutes you are probably putting too much weight on it.