Hey all,
What's the best way to wash the liner of the CAM boot? Hand wash? Washer? How long does it take to dry?
My liner is getting pretty funky, but I'm not supposed to be out of it for very long during the day. I have to wear it at night as well, so letting it dry overnight isn't really an option either. I know I can't put it in the dryer. Suggestions?
Yeah, handwashing is what I've read as the best thing...but then there is the question of what kind of soap? Dish soap? Laundry detergent? Too many choices!!!!
I just don't want to be stuck not moving at all because I have to wait 8 hours or more for it to dry. I also don't want to run the risk of it getting mildewy. That would defeat the purpose of cleaning it. Lol
I hadn't even thought of washing the liner, but if I was going to I'd use Woolite by hand and hang it out in the sun to dry. UV light should kill a few bugs. I do, however, wash the bottom of the boot before I get into bed. I use baby wipes. Otherwise, well, ick.
__________________
10-18-2012
Surg repair of Peroneal Tendon Subluxation w/Fibular Groove deepening, Ligament reconstruction, debridement of osteophytes (spurs); orig injury 1976 car accident, broken ankle & femur
Mine is a "MaxTrax Air Walker". The instructions say:
"To clean liner, hand wash in cold water using mild soap. Air dry. Note: If not rinsed thoroughly, residual soap may cause irritation and deteriorate material."
Personally, I don't plan to wash mine. I'm only in it 4 weeks and I've always worn clean socks. If it gets the "funk", I may change my mind.
__________________
10-18-2012
Surg repair of Peroneal Tendon Subluxation w/Fibular Groove deepening, Ligament reconstruction, debridement of osteophytes (spurs); orig injury 1976 car accident, broken ankle & femur
With baby wipes so it smelled fresh but I never felt the need to clean the liner. If you are in it for a grat length of time it might be necessary.I was in mine for 4 weeks . I did clean the bottom part
Yeah, I've been in mine for 4 weeks so far, and still have AT LEAST 2 more weeks to go. Normally I'm not too concerned about gross-ness, or things not being "perfectly clean" (I used to work in the woods for days at a time) but I couldn't wear a sock on it for the first few weeks because of the pressure on my incision, and have just gotten used to NOT, so I think my foot is sweating more. The biggest problem is up near my toes.
I haven't found a label on mine, though I admittedly haven't looked, but everywhere I've seen is "hand wash, mild soap" but differs on the cool water, warm water issue. Air dry is going to have to be it....but what about using a hair dryer to expedite the process? Yay or nay?
I just washed my CAM liner on a gentle cycle and then hung it in my bathroom to dry. I have a portable heater and I just turned that on and closed the door, it dried quickly that way.
Liz, I think the hair dryer is the way I'm going to go (on warm) for a few minutes at least. It'd give it a good head start to drying on it's own. Then you can go back later and give the thicker parts an extra shot. Thanks for the idea!
How's the walking going these days?
Ginger
I also have a pretty decent sized heater in my bedroom (it looks like a fireplace) that pumps out a decent amount of heat. I might put it in front of that to dry. Need to head out to the store in a bit to pick up some Woolite, but its gray and rainy out. LOL
My walking is going alright. I feel like I hit a wall with it, I don't feel like I'm getting better so I don't do more each day.
The following user gives a hug of support to AdkLizard46: xerx790 (11-13-2012)
You haven't been to PT yet have you? That's going to be my situation too, PWB to FWB for 4 weeks before PT.
Maybe someone has some suggestions that can help you push through. Don't give up! xo
Also, if you have any gentle shampoo in the house that might work for the liner. Baby shampoo is easily rinsed without a lot of residue.
Nope, no PT yet. It'll be a total of 6 weeks in the boot before starting PT. My next doc appointment is 11/21, when I will HOPEFULLY get the script for PT. I don't know what else he'll really tell me. All of the shampoo and stuff we have in the house isn't very mild. Most in the family have very frizzy hair, so we use that a lot! lol, though, I could control my liner's split ends maybe? haha
I think a big part of it is that I just need to keep pushing it on my own. I can walk to the kitchen and back and to my bathroom without the walker, but its so much faster if i use the walker, so i typically choose that. I need to just...put it away so I CAN'T use it. I'm scared to do that too.
The following user gives a hug of support to AdkLizard46: LabGimp (11-13-2012)
I have this mental picture of you as this rock climbing, tough as nails, rocker chick. I am so deathly afraid of heights that I can't imagine doing what you do for a living. What are you scared of? It can't hurt more than it did when you wrecked it.
Mine says avoid direct heat or sun. If I don't put it directly in front of the heater, that's not direct heat right? Lol.
And ginger, thanks. The the image I try to put out. lol! I'm scared of a lot actually, but I try to not let that stop me. Though, I don't know if I'll ever rock climb again. The mental stress/ptsd is pretty strong.
And you're right, it doesn't hurt more than when I did it. But I'm scared of hurting it to the point of never being able to hike mountains again. There's something I'm scared of!
I feel like it's taking forever to dry! In reality, it's only been like an hour and a half, but my foot feels so vulnerable outside of the boot, and it's getting very sore.
Only downside is the boot still smells like funky foot. It's not changing colors anymore though, so at least I feel like its cleaner. It was really gross before, so I guess anything is better than how it was.
I know it sounds nuts, but I bought a 2nd CAM boot on Amazon. I use one outside my house, and one inside my house and bed. That way, they fully dry out half of the day, and don't get funky. I also don't have to worry about the public restroom I walked in while I am putting my boot into my bed :-).
