orthopedic boot filling with water/condensation - how to manage?

Alcie, I know its a weekend but I would call the surgeon's office & leave a message with the answering service for him to call you. Short of going to ER I really just don't know what to say. I hope you can get some answers quick too.

Alice:
You can purchase a roll of 2" wide stocking-net at a local pharmacy or likely on Amazon.com.

As a physical therapist, I would routinely source any patient with a removable "walking boot" with a roll of cotton stocking-net to combat perspiration and the sloughing of skin cells. Simply cut a length of stocking-net that is ample to cover your foot and lower leg, leaving extra length at both ends so that you can fold the ends over the edges of the walking boot.

For nighttime, for may people wearing just the bottom shell is often adequate support. You can reinforce that the bottom shell will stay in place by wrapping with a few circumferential lengths of Coban, if you like. Coban® is an elastic bandage without any sticky adhesive. Coban® is available at any pharmacy or on-line on Amazon.

Sprinkling the skin with baby powder is a good way to absorb perspiration and keep the skin from smelling foul. You can also sprinkle with any athlete's fungus powered product. Wet and warm environments are prime for fungal infections. A "walking boot" is such an environment. A prescription for NyStain powered is also good for controlling fungus due to the warm, moist environment. I have an ileostomy and have to be careful to watch for fungal infections under the ostomy wafer.

Get a roll of 2" wide stocking-net. It will serve you well for the problems that you are encountering. Cut the length to be generous enough so that you can wrap both ends over the edges of the walking boot (at the foot/toe and at the upper leg).

Best wishes,
- Karen -

Alice:
Yes . . . you can clean the skin with a soft, wet cloth to reduce the skin flaking. You can also apply a gentle skin moisturizer. I would use a moisturizer that is lightweight lotion without perfumes and without a host of additives. Example: A Neutrogena® brand moisturizer or a Cetaphil® brand moisturizer would be good choices.

The flaking of skin is to be expected. It is the skin naturally exfoliating. It is just that you see it more pronounced due to the nature of the surgery and incision and lack of being able to properly clean and care to the area (ex. no bathing or showering).

Anyone who has had a leg or arm cast as a child can remember how gnarly the leg or arm appeared after being in a plaster cast for several month. My leg looked like a scaly fish after being in a long-leg cast for two months when I was younger.

A length of cotton stockinette will really be a more comfortable option for you than a sock. Shame on your physician's office for not providing you with stockinette. That you have been a simple provision for them to have provided you with significant benefit. A big bang positive effect from a small product provision.

Great that you have some NyStain powder. Who knew your prior colostomy would be of value in aiding the skin of your ankle? People with ostomies/stomas are resourceful and good problem-solvers.

Best wishes in your healing,
- Karen -

Thank you so much Alcie. Your post was very helpful. That is why I thought you can tell me how you handled your situation (since not many people seem to have seen this problem. Including my doctor and company.)
Yes I am wearing a sock and have the foam lining...the wetness gathers outside the lining as you know. If I leave the condensation going on without drying it up frequently, the foam lining will get wet and eventually my sock or stockinet would get wet etc. I also dont want the rubber black lining where the foot steps to start peeling off with moisture or becoming smelly with humidity.
I'm just surprised that while the doctor and all emphasize that we should keep the boot away from water, it itself procudes water. My doctor doesn't want me to take it off to dry it during the day (because he wants my foot completely immobukized)but then said I can sleep without the boot (I cannot guarantee immobilization there!)

Did you try keeping a layer of a towel near the plastic outer shell or any trick to prevent condensation on plastic shell?

Thanks again.