Is a walking boot effective for healing a fracture?

Walking boots are an effective treatment for metatarsal, toe, ankle and foot fracture healing, according to the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington. Tall walking boots are best for metatarsal and toe fractures. Tall pneumatic boots are best for the healing of ankle and foot fractures.

A patient typically wears a walking boot between two to eight weeks, and sometimes more, depending on the type of injury and the recommendation of the podiatrists or orthopaedic surgeons, says the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington. The doctor X-rays the foot at the time he expects the fracture to be healed. If the fracture has healed as expected, the patient can remove the boot.