We stock a large range of CAM boot walkers (Moon Boots) and ergonomic crutches fitted by our practitioners. It’s important to learn how to make the most of this equipment as stabilising a recovering injury properly will eliminate unnecessary movement and consequently minimise any agitation that could impact recovery.
One major concern when recovering from any lower limb injury is the development of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), so assessment and progressive check-ins are very important as an undiagnosed DVT can be catastrophic should it dislodge and make its way upstream towards your lungs.
The CAM walker’s primary role is to offer weight-bearing immobilisation minimising ankle and foot movement. The base plate is curved allowing a rocking-like motion when you walk minimising foot and ankle involvement with heel strike and toe-off actions. This equipment is the preferred choice instead of a solid cast when given the option by your doctor or surgeon.
In comparison to a plaster cast, the CAM boot offers more stability when weight-bearing with less risk of tripping, you are able to remove it easily to shower, sleep or scratch. It is lightweight so lifting and positioning the foot is easier when walking or elevating the leg onto a pillow. The soft nylon/foam material that lines the pre-shaped ergonomic plastic boot frame is easily removed for washing as they do tend to get a little smelly after a week or so of wear.
Common Injuries to the lower leg, ankle, and foot where CAM Boots are the preferred choice include:
- Non-displaced fractures such as stress fractures (bones have not moved apart)
- Moderate to severe ligament strains and sprains
- Tendon tears and avulsions
- Moderate to severe trauma-related joint injuries
- Heel pain where conservative treatment has failed
- Plantar fasciitis where conservative treatment has failed
- Post-operative stabilisation
- Rehabilitation where walking needs to be introduced gradually.
We stock a variety of CAM boots for both children and adults in a range of sizes as well as low and high boot tops, with/without pump air compression. In general, the higher the boot with a fully integrated pump air and release valve, the more stable and better fitting the CAM boot will be. Accessories include Achilles wedge kits that are easily inserted into the CAM boot at varying heights allowing the progressive lowering of the heel at different stages of recovery. The Achilles wedge kit consists of 10 cm neoprene laminated levels where each section (every 1.9cm) can be “peeled away” lowering the angle of the heel progressively. This is perfect for Achilles injuries where the heel needs to be positioned much higher than the toes in the early stages of recovery, gradually lowering the angle as the damaged tissues begin their repair.
Why see a Practitioner for a CAM Walker (Moon Boots) fitting?
Sizing a CAM boot can be trickier than you think. things to consider are:
- Do you purchase a tall or short CAM boot walker for your type of injury?
- If you’re in-between sizes, which is the best option?
- If the gap between your toes and the edge of the boot is too big will it become a tripping hazard?
- If your toes are too close to the edge of the boot are you at risk of stubbing your toe potentially aggravating the injury?
- What tricks and strategies can you use when walking in a CAM boot to redistribute the load?
- How to best navigate stairs in a CAM boot?
- Do you need to wear it all the time?
- How do you ween yourself off the CAM boot safely in the coming weeks?
- At what stage should you be challenging the recovering tissues without risk of relapse or reinjuring?
- Do you need any extras such as a shoe lift, crutches or Achilles wedge?
Our Practitioners are lower limb consultants, in particular, Achilles tendinopathies, foot, ankle, knee, and hip issues, working closely with a select number of Orthopaedic surgeons co-managing patients’ post-operative rehabilitation.
Choosing a CAM Walker off the shelf can be tricky as it depends on your diagnosis. Our Practitioners can advise on what type of CAM boot is best for your condition/injury, provide accurate fitting and important clinical advice relevant to your particular injury/condition.
They are trained to advise you through the different stages of recovery as well as fitting the correct CAM boot size. If you have private health insurance, you may be able to claim on the spot and only need to pay the gap. Call your health insurance company if you have “extras” to find out.
Whilst our front desk reception staff are friendly and help whenever they can, they are NOT trained health professionals so they cannot offer any advice such as type or size of CAM boot or assist in the fitting. The best help they can offer is to book you in with someone that can!
Can I buy a CAM Boot over the counter or online?
Yes, simply contact our clinic on (03) 9380 8099 to make sure we have your size in stock if you are attending in person or purchase online and the CAM boot will be delivered to you via post (extra delivery charges apply), but before you decide on this option, you should consider the following:
1. When attending a CAM boot fitting appointment, our Practitioner will:
- check your GP/Specialist medical referral and fit you with the correct CAM walker
- choose the correct type of CAM boot for your diagnosis (high? low? air?)
- check the correct sizing as it can be tricky if you’re between sizes
- provide helpful advice as to how to use it, how not to use it and what to look out for if worn incorrectly. Click here for more information on the do’s and don’t of CAM Walkers
- provide rehabilitation advice and what to expect at each stage of your recovery as you heal
- how to avoid and check for DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
- answer any concerns or questions you may have
2. Your consultation fee may be claimable under your private health insurance if you are covered for this service.
3. If you choose to purchase over the counter or online without consulting one of our Practitioners, we will not be responsible for any sizing, fitting or medical advice. Our reception staff are NOT trained health professionals hence cannot offer advice or fit a CAM boot, they can however book you in to see someone that can.
4. We do not offer any refunds for any incorrect choices, incorrect sizing or change of mind which is why we strongly recommend attending in person. Once the boot is purchased it cannot be returned for any reason due to health and hygiene reasons.
Do I need shoe lift on my good leg?
Because the CAM Walker will raise the leg upwards it creates imbalances between leg lengths and after a few days or weeks of walking, it may cause or exacerbate back pain as one leg is shorter than the other altering your gait mechanics. The cheap solution is to check if you have a shoe with a thick sole that can even the leg length discrepancy but having failed that, orthotic companies do make a shoe lift specifically designed for this scenario. It’s an option but not a necessity unless of course, your back pain says otherwise or you find walking with a short leg more cumbersome. To order a shoe lift click here.
Do I need crutches?
In the first few weeks, it is highly recommended you use crutches with your CAM Walker to reduce the pressure on the region and assist your balance when walking. It is also very useful when you need to get up at night to use the bathroom.
We only stock lightweight, adjustable forearm crutches with ergonomically shaped handles that distribute the pressure more evenly across the hand. These crutches are durable and reduce hand and upper body pain and discomfort that is often reported with prolonged use. To order ergonomic crutches click here.
Should I hire a CAM Walker?
Due to our competitive pricing of CAM Boots and the likely scenario you will need to wear it for at least 6 weeks, it makes more economic sense to purchase it outright from the beginning. The cost of hiring starts to add up when you are charged a weekly fee, a deposit (forfeited if the boot is damaged), and the cost of a new foam inner boot liner which would be compulsory for hygienic reasons.
We have done the maths and recommend you purchase the CAM Walker outright if you can purchase it for less than $120. As we sell our top-of-the-range CAM Walkers with Air pneumatics this is an easy decision to make.
For the reasons stated above, we do not hire CAM Walker (Moon Boots).
