Orthotronix Closed-Toe Short Air Cam Walker Boot (Small)

Good product

OK, you'll read reviews about the ball-shaped inflator irritating your shin. It's true. The manufacturer should have not nestled the inflator in a socket. That is uncomfortable and it doesn't matter whether or not the brace is inflated. I may take it out because the brace is snug enough on my ankle and leg to immobilize it without the air bladder and just use the straps. There are some padding issues due to my foot diagnosis- talar lesion, edema, achilles issues, etc. but I can work with this. On the bright side, it cost less to buy this online than to pay my insurance co-pay. Overall, it is fairly light and the factory padding is pretty good on the sides of the ankle and forefoot. It's a lot easier to walk in than a tall air-cast and for me, there's just enough....not too much of a rocker on the sole. (The last cast I had, the sole had such an exaggerated curve on the bottom that I couldn't use it without falling.) The enclosed toe box is nice so that your socks don't get filthy and there's no padding hanging out to get caught on anything. Pretty smooth walking once you get used to it. If your doc says it's ok to bend your ankle once in a while, I have found that just releasing the air and loosening the straps, I can slide my foot out of the boot and put it back on without disassembling it. One star off for the air inflator ball shin irritation. Otherwise, it seems fine with a little modification.

An update after two weeks:Have worn it for 8 hours and more, and it hasn't hurt. Having had other "inflatable air bladder boots" I also ordered the Orthotronix Closed=toe Air Cam Walker. All of the boots from every manufacturer seem to not hold air, and my thought is to save the extra money, and tighten up with a "Non Air product. Seriously, all of the suppliers under $100 use plastic thread in the air valve, and they all fail. I also trimmed the plastic that would overlap/underlap, and generally get in the way when tightened down. Still like the boot. Just remember the air bladders fail.After trying a more expensive boot from a competitor for a week, and having the the air bladder of the other product malfunction on day one - I ordered this boot. I was impressed to find a card thanking me as well as soliciitng questions and feedback.The Orthotronix Closed-Toe Air Cam Walker (short) fits properly, comfortably, and is snug preventing unwanted movement. The boot is very light, and is easy to put on...taking just a minute or two.The competitor product had five straps of which three are not attached to the boot. Rather they are loose, and secured by Velcro only. Consequently these straps get in the way, and stick to one another making it challenging to keep them separated. This makes it more challenging while taking longer to secure the boot. The competitor's inflatable bladder failed within 24 hours.I wrote the competitor, and called. No response to my written comments and concerns. No response to receiving a damaged or defective boot, and a "general attitude" that they prefer to work with the direct medical providers. Other reviews offered insight that the competitor brand (5 letters) had little to marginal support. How correct they were.I am considering ordering a 2nd Orthotronix boot so I have one clean for staying inside, and another that I don't mind getting the bottom dirty outside or in a vehicle, store, business, restaurant.

I injured my foot and did not want to wind my way through the medical establishment, insurance, blah blah blah... I purchased this and although I had to wait 2 days, it was a better price than local retailers (and it wasn't clear if the local store had anything in stock). If you are not in a place to drive around looking for this item, the convenience of ordering online with quick delivery was very helpful.It was easy to order, and it fit perfectly. The extra pads were a definite plus. It took a day or two to get the hang of the inflatable cushions, and once I got that right, it was much better in comfort and stability. I did have one issue - the seam of the liner irritated my ankle, and it happened to be right over one of the injured areas. Again, it took some adjusting to figure out how to use the liner to increase my comfort. Ultimately, I took to wearing two thick socks on that foot to help cushion the edge/seam of the liner. That helped. And, the summertime temp was in the 90s and humid every day and it was not uncomfortable (too hot).Eventually, I got so used to wearing this boot that I could not tell that I had it on, I was walking naturally and my body (muscles especially) adapted. It helped the recovery tremendously. I did not wear another boot for comparison, I can only speak to my experience with this one. It met all my needs and helped speed my recovery versus using wraps and other ankle / arch supports (which is the most important criteria for me). This boot was very, very helpful in my recovery.