Definition: A Cam Walker is a therapeutic ankle and foot support used after injury or surgery. It has a heel to toe rocker bottom, air bladders to adjust support at the ankle and Velcro closures. They control lateral (outside) and medial (inside) ankle support while giving good dorsi and plantar flexion (up and down) movement. The rocker bottom is thicker than the sole of most shoes. It is important that the height of the unaffected shoe match the height of the cam walker to avoid compensation problems.
Cam walkers are taking the place of plaster casting in some instances as they immobilize nearly as well and can be taken on and off as needed. Range of motion is restored or maintained better with cam walkers. Compared with ankle braces, cam walkers are heavier and go further up the leg, usually to the calf.
Benefits: Cam walkers are used in treating medical conditions and are providing the opportunity for maintaining or restoring range of motion more quickly in surgeries and injuries than plaster casting provided. One aspect that is often overlooked is that the height of the shoe on the unaffected foot should match the height of the cam walker to avoid compensation problems.
Text: Copyright 2008-2010 Carole Romig Image: Jansenmedical.net