5th Metatarsal Avulsion Fracture UK
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi, anyone in the UK with an avulsion fracture? What treatment and follow up did you receive? I went to A&E had an xray and was told a ligament had pulled a piece of bone and chipped it - and that was it - it will take a long time to heal, wear some walking shoes (1 week on and I still can't even fit my club foot into my slipper never mind a walking shoe!) and goodbye! I've found out online myself that it's an avulsion fracture!
I'm stuck in the house hobbling about on a socked unstable foot until the swelling goes down enough that I can wear something I can go out in.
I'm waking at night in agony due to stretching and moving my foot in my sleep, really worried this is making my injury worse.
It would be nice to think I'm not the only one in this situation but I would also hate to think someone else is suffering!
0 likes, 5 replies
libbyw lizi66771
Posted
I have an avulsion fracture on my left foot base 5th. I have been to two specialists over the past year. The first one said manage with it with having regular steroid injections. The second said operate by removing the accessory bone and reattach the tendon.
Im still suffering!!
lizi66771 libbyw
Posted
libbyw lizi66771
Posted
lizi66771 libbyw
Posted
Gosh it sounds as though you're having a tough time. Thanks for sharing the information. I had my accident just under 2 weeks ago, A&E just told me to take pain killers and wear a walking shoe or trainer to support it, I had no cast or boot nor any follow up. It was only when I got home and struggled for a few days that I started to research my injury and felt that I'd not been looked after. I've ordered an ortho shoe online to see if that will fit! I can hopefully at least get some support from it. I'll be heading to my Drs for some answers too!
jac56 lizi66771
Posted
Hi lizi66771,
I'm in the UK with an Avlusion fracture of the 5th Metatarsil. It's is 3 weeks old today and I'm seriously not impressed with the NHS but seem to have got marginally better treatment than you.
My accident happened when I was having a sports massage and my feet went to sleep after being immobile for an hour. Once the massage was finished, I sat up and swung my legs off the table not realising my feet were numb. I took a step forward and heard an almighty crack followed by pain and saw my foot rolled over like a Ballerina on point.
I went to the hospital for an X-ray but X-ray was not operating that afternoon (in a hospital thats only 2 years old) and I was told to return next day in the morning. After the X-ray I was shown into a "Plaster Room" to be told my foot was fractured but I would have to go to a different hospital one week later (the soonest appointment) to their Fracture Clinic. I was offered crutches and a crepe bandage until then.
At the Fracture Clinic a Junior Dr told me standard proceedings i.e. wear the Air Cast walking boot, weight bearing on the heel until week 4 after the accident, then have it X-rayed and we'd go from there. As the boot was being fitted, the Junior Dr came back into my Cubicle and said after going over the X-ray with a Consultant, I only have to wear the boot for 10 days then wean myself off it and it will be ok at three weeks post injury which is today! No further X-Ray, no follow up with the Fracture Clinic or my GP. Seriously not impressed with the NHS!
I am an endurance cyclist and runner and I wanted to be sure it healed properly so I made an appointment to go privately to the Nuffield Hospital and saw an Orthopaedic Consultant today. I had another X-ray which showed that the gap had not increased and the bone was showing signs of healing. I was told I can wear my trainers from today and try to walk without a limp which is pretty easy for me because I still go to the gym and have kept my ankle mobile. I can also go swimming and my foot should be sufficiently healed at six weeks to resume training and cycling.
My consultant said with this Avulsion Fracture 5th Metatarsil, it's really important not to let the tendon in the ankle pull the bone away from the other part of the bone. This could happen if you flex your foot pulling your toes towards you. So although you can wiggle your toes, don't flex and pull them back towards you, this action causes the tendon to pull the broken chipped bone away from the piece it's trying to join.
I have my first physio with a foot specialist that deals with dancers injuries next week so she will teach me the safe exercises.
I must say that I still have quite a lot of bruising over the forefoot around the base of my toes and also under the ankle but I can pretty much walk on this foot pain free. The Consultant thinks it's healing well and quite rapidly, I'm 60 so I'm really pleased this is going so well. I thought age may slow things down. I do however have some protein every two hours i.e. a small glass of milk and my diet is centered on bone healing nutrients, lots of protein, salmon, cottage cheese, full fat greek yoghurt. Plenty of vitamin C in the form of fruit, leafy green Veg for Vitamin K and I take a supplement with Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc. All this aids bone formation.
Incidently the treatment you recieved is exactly the treatment my Private Ortho Consultant said is going to be Standard in the NHS and IMO it's disgusting. If you are still having problems walking, I'd go back and ask for the Air Cast boot. You can buy them online but I don't see why you should have too.
Let me know how you are and if you need anymore info xx