NWB Using a Roll-A-Bout Walker

Weight bearing may be restricted after surgery of the lower extremities. The video below demonstrates the proper way to walk using an assistive device called a roll-a-bout while maintaining your foot or ankle in a non-weight bearing status. Please use the roll-a-bout with caution and use your time while walking with this.

Darco Wedge Shoe

The Darco wedge shoe is useful during recovery from forefoot surgery, or surgery at and around the toes of the foot. It is designed for heel walking only, thereby taking pressure off the part of the foot which has been operated on.

In this video we first demonstrate the proper way of walking with it, on the heel only. Then, we demonstrate the wrong way of walking on it, with the patient incorrectly rolling onto the front of the shoe. The length of time spent in the boot varies and will be explained to you at your office visits.

Partial Weight-Bearing Demonstration

Following a variety of different surgeries of the lower extremities, partial weight-bearing may be recommended for a period of time during the healing process. The video above demonstrates the proper way to limit the amount of weight-bearing to partial.

We ask you to use a scale and place the amount of weight instructed to you on the scale to get a feeling of this limit per Dr. Carreira’s instructions. This is demonstrated using the aid of crutches and a boot. The technique demonstrated during walking with the aid of crutches is called partial weight-bearing. You will be instructed on the length of time required using this technique at your office visits.

Weight-bearing following surgery of the lower extremities may be restricted depending on the surgery performed. In this video, we demonstrate non weight-bearing.

Please do not set all your weight on the head of the crutch using your arm pits, instead, place most of your weight on the handles that you grip with your hands while you walk shown in the video above.

The improper use of crutches can lead to nerve palsies in your arms. The head of the crutch should fit near your arm pits, this is directly where your Brachial Plexus lies. The Brachial Plexus is a network of nerves controlling motor movements and sensations in your arms and hands. It is important to adjust the height of the crutches to your proper height. At the base of the crutches there are height levels marked out that can be adjusted by pressing the two prongs inwards.

Achilles Type of CAM Walker Boot

For immobilization of the foot and ankle, the CAM boot is an excellent option allowing for placement and removal with velcro straps. Here we demonstrate the proper fitting and use of the Achilles type of CAM boot, which includes multiple, removable heel wedges to take strain off of the Achilles tendon.

Please refer to the video above and the instructions given to you during your office visits for the proper use of your Achilles boot.

NWB Crutches

Weight-bearing following surgery of the lower extremities may be restricted depending on the surgery performed. In this video, we demonstrate non weight-bearing. Here, crutches are used to keep weight off the foot entirely, but a walker or Roll-a-bout type of wheeled walker may also be used.

Please do not set all your weight on the head of the crutch using your arm pits, instead, place most of your weight on the handles that you grip with your hands while you walk shown in the video above.

The improper use of crutches can lead to nerve palsies in your arms. The head of the crutch should fit near your arm pits, this is directly where your Brachial Plexus lies. The Brachial Plexus is a network of nerves controlling motor movements and sensations in your arms and hands. It is important to adjust the height of the crutches to your proper height. At the base of the crutches there are height levels marked out that can be adjusted by pressing the two prongs inwards.