5th metersal break. pain for two months after treatment

Yeah I thought seeing a specialist would grantee a good diagnosis but that isn't the case. The break was right by the joint but the last x ray you couldn't see it till it was zoomed in. It's just been so long takeing it easy on my feet but it's pain every step. Pop and cracks seem to go away mid day.

Yeah I think I should to but I no longer have good insurance so it will be 400 us dollars again. And if they just tell me it need more time I'll be upset with spending it.... but let's see how one more week goes. If pain doesn't change I will have to go.

If it got swollen and bruised good chance you broke something. You will definenttly have to go get x rays to know. The metersal can't always just heal sometimes they need surgery. Kinda known for non union of the bones.

thing is they can't see on x-ray anyway and you had it right to say a waste of $$$$ just to have them say stay off it or wear this boot.   I have a boot from years ago when I broke my right foot Met bone.  They never seen the fracture then either.

Well when I first went in they didn't catch it because partially the x rays weren't taken very good and partially the specialist wasn't good at her job. The second time around with a different foot specialist even the nurse knew it was broken from the x rays very clear. When I broke my hand It was a sharp break and there was no way it was gunna heal without a plate and screws. Same way the metersal can break.

I remember when I broke my left foot Met. bone and my reg dr had me go for x-rays and nothing showed up and she told me to just keep walking on it.  I then went back to say it was still hurting, they then sent me for a MRI, which my Reg Dr said nothing showed up.   She FINALLY sent me to the foot Dr right next door to her and the Foot Dr took one look at the X-ray and said I had a Fractured Met. Bone.   Thank God we don't have to get our Dr to give us referals anymore.   If it keeps up for another couple weeks I may have to bite the bullet and go to a Foot Dr.   I just don't want to be laid up for Christmas with a boot on my Right foot,  how am I suppose to drive.  I tell you getting older is not a picnic.   he he

Yeah that's kinda how I felt I waited a week to be sure it wasn't just a sprain and then I went to a specialist...... well I've only had bad experiences with most Dr. Always getting it wrong. I hate them I hate that I feel that way I'm only 26 in mostly good shape.

I'm in the same boat, I'm a 26 year old male myself. No health problems very active. As i read how you guys have crappy doctors, i guess i feel lucky. I live in San Francisco supposedly we have cutting edge care in orthopedics. I didnt know the difference, i just looked at it like "Whatever to say Doc".

I have a Jones fracture which is a specific type that the HARDEST of the 5th metatarsal fractures to heal on my left foot (on 11/26/15). My doctor had tons of knowledge answered all my questions with confidence. I asked him if i required surgery and he said No, but the chance of the bone not healing is like 20% higher AND it usually requires more time heal (about a month more in most cases).At first, I wanted to opt out of the surgery and heal naturally but luckily I have insurance to cover surgery and personal training. I have a job that requires me to be on my feet I've already missed some work and can't just take 3-4 months off of work. Also, who wants to gamble with a non union? (I've heard of non surgery fractures taking 20 weeks to heal!! Even heard some STILL didn't heal after that time!).

Monday is the day I tell my orthopedic surgeon that I want the screw. Yes, I might set off a few metal detectors but I need to get back to walking sooner than later! I understand both you and Nancy don't like doctors but this is a seriously hard to fully heal injury.

NANCY - at 59 it's kinda the wrong time to not trust any Drs.Your left foot may have healed but given you are active, didn't get surgery your chance of re-fracture and lingering pain is higher than if you did get surgery. So I'd reconsider toughing it out.

GO TO THE DOCTOR!

DAVID - If you can afford to miss work, heal it naturally. If you can some how pay for the surgery, I'd say...do it. I know this isn't a cheap surgery by any means. So, really think about it. To get screwed or not to get screwed, that is your question.(See what I did there? Lol) If I couldn't afford anything at all. I would do it naturally BUT you'd have to change your lifestyle a bit :

1. Elevate your foot above your heart WHENEVER YOU can. Do less, get help.

2. Have a clean, lean diet with a good amount of proteins and omega 3s,

3. Take one a day type of vitamin PLUS 2000 - 5000ui of vitamin D + calcium(calcium doesn't absorb properly unless you have vit.D too)

4. (optional) Get a bone stimulator. Vibrates the bone to help heal faster.

5. Start reading those books you haven't gotten to on your shelf.

6. Stay positive! It's been proven that when your happy your body functions operate way better. Joke about being a cripple with your friends. Haha

Jut my 2 cents ! The choice is yours!

Always opt for a foot specialist!!! I was lucky that my hospital doesn't let the regular Drs say if specific surgeries are needed. They immediately told me "we will take the X rays but you will have to go to the orthopedic dept. To better assess this".

I thought all doctors did that... dont dodge the doctor!!

Yeah I also have a job on my feet all day. This is why I think it takes so long though when I was booted it was better. No one told me it was a Jones fracture but from what I've read I think mine might be as well. It's broke right where they come up to the ankle joint. I try to stay off my feet im back to icing it every night (I think it helps) pain is very slowly decreaseing. Just hoping to be good by feb for a skate trip to china.

If you want to be good for your skating trip you'll HAVE TO get surgery. Although, I'm sorry to say, even then you probably won't be at the 100% weight stage bearing yet. Don't wait on this as it can be a lingering thing if you put weight on it too early. Think about it, I hope you get better!!

I won't be going if I'm not a 100% by then. The Padiatrist I was seeing is also the person who does surgeries. He didn't even mention a surgery. But through my own research I have read that for active people the healing time is much less if the surgical option is taken. I'm pretty much pain free now for normal activities but I know if I step on a skateboard I'll regress a week or so. Trying to avoid surgery seeing how I'd be out of work and I've given it so much time already.

I think you have the right idea. Just remember that if your bone didn't make a union yet surgery will get you to work faster. I for one can't miss spring time, I'm a gardener!!

Yeah it started to union when I had the x rays on Oct 2. It's was very hard to see the fracture he had to zoom in all the way to see that it wasn't completely healed. But that was only two weeks after the proper diagnosis. At that time he said I could wear stiff shoes but he also told me to come back if I still had pain which I did but wanted to give it more time.