they would have still allowed the break (maybe not that compounded), but they would have made it very hard to treat his ankle. mine compounded as well, just not that bad. but, they said the boot made it "pop" back in, causing a lot of nerve damge (i.e. my foot going numb constantly, and sharp pricks of pain). my boot filled with blood, and because of the pain i was in, it took nearly an hour to get the boot off. they ended up having to cut it. really made me wish i would have worn softer/shorter boots.