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5th Base Metatarsal Fracture

Posted , 7 users are following.

megan14265
megan14265

Please can somebody provide me with advise. After slipping on a pavement in spain I fractured my 5th metatarsal base. Minimally displaced. Im six weeks in from tomorrow and still cannot walk in my boot. After applying pressure to foot for a couple of steps my foot feels weird as if its going to break / pop however the pain isnt as day one. This feeling lasts for about 10 mins after resting it. Im too scared to bare weight without my boot as i cannot stand to be in that pain again. Im concerned that its not healing. I also have a lump on my fracture and redness but its not swollen its been like that since day one. Iv pictures to send . Your advise is much appreciated. Thanks

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • sandi27417
    sandi27417 megan14265

    Posted

    Welcome to the world of this particular break. I had a non displaced fracture. Was non weight bearing almost 5 weeks but only healed 60%. Had a screw put in 3 weeks ago. One more week then I can put pressure in boot. This fracture is tough to heal because of low blood supply. I am 67 and a horse rider so needed the extra security for fusion. They tend to recur if not pinned. If you have youth on your side you may heal faster!! Good luck
    • megan14265
      megan14265 sandi27417

      Posted

      Sorry to hear about your break. I hope you get better soon. Im 33 so hoping it heals. Im doing everything i can.
    • sandi27417
      sandi27417 megan14265

      Posted

      Oh yes, youth on your side!! All will heal just fine!!👍🏻

    • megan14265
      megan14265 sandi27417

      Posted

      Hopefully you will be walking soon. Please keep me updated on your progress.
    • cherylann04454
      cherylann04454 sandi27417

      Posted

      I saw your replay to megan and I was wondering I posted a reply to her I dont want to rehash my whole post.  One main thing I am wonderignever since I broke it June 4th even after surgery and sleeping all day.  I will walk up only a few stairs or a few feet and every muscle in my body hurts from my toes to my head and I feel like if I dont sit or lay down I am going to fall.  I am so weak everywhere not just on my broken foot.   As you knwo I am sure they only give you pain meds for so long and now after starting pt 4 days ago I had a really bad day yesterday where the painwas so bad I was screaming .  I amjust wondering if you had any weakness or were out of breath at all when you tried to do things and when you started pt did the pain come back bad??  thanks..I guess I am like meghan just looking to see if what is happening to me is normal..This is a very scary thing
    • sandi27417
      sandi27417 cherylann04454

      Posted

      Man do I feel for you!! My Jones fracture (5th) was a non displaced stress fracture so I tried to heal by being non weight. bearing for 4 weeks. It healed 60% but because of my life style of horses, dogs, etc my ortho and I decided to put a pin in which I had done 4 weeks ago. I really had no pain but did not have the extensive surgery you had. I go back to my doctor Wed in hopes I can weight bear. As a rider and runner and 67, I was in good shape. Now my leg is quite atrophyed? I have continued to do exercises for other ligaments and core. I too, have large dogs but do have a husband who has been amazing running our farm. I will have to let you know how I do bearing weight. i have had ACL and a total shoulder surgery but this fracture has been much more difficult. Feet are a bear!! Wow!!! I am so sorry!!!keep us informed!
    • sandi27417
      sandi27417 cherylann04454

      Posted

      I forgot to add that my ortho doc had a rep bring me a bone stimulator. They definitely increase the blood supply to the area. Medicare would not approve one so she (doc) had a rep bring me one anyway. He drove out to my country house. We use them on the horses and have great success. Maybe ask your doctor about that. Take care!!
    • megan14265
      megan14265 cherylann04454

      Posted

      Hi Cherylann

      Sorry tp hear about your injury. Yes i feel tired and have a aching pains in my leg. Are you taking any medication? If so could it be the side effects.

  • BeckyRae
    BeckyRae megan14265

    Posted

    Redness would concern me as it could indicate infection. Go see your doctor right away!
    • sandi27417
      sandi27417 BeckyRae

      Posted

      I agree. Infections are scary these days. Had a friend lose the tip of her finger due to a hangnailnthat got infected. Times have changed because of resistant bacteria.
    • megan14265
      megan14265 BeckyRae

      Posted

      Its not dark red its mild just over the fracture. The doctors assessed it last week and didnt mention anything

  • catherine_19686
    catherine_19686 megan14265

    Posted

    Has your Dr.told you to walk I like you fell on pavement and broke mine I was put in airboot on first day I was 10 weeks non weight bearing .Then allowed to put little weight while walking with 2 cruches then walking with one cruche then walk with 2 cruches and no boot then 1 ctuch and now no cruches. I fell on 17th April at minute I go to phisio once a week ankle got a little stiff so trying to loosing ankle 5 metatarsal is hard to heal so don't rush it everyone is different.

    Good luck

    Catherine

  • pattycam
    pattycam megan14265

    Posted

    The fact that it's dislaced means that you have to really take care of it. Do what your doctor tells you. Every break is different, so everybody's expereince is different. I have a non-displaced fracture at the tuberosity from 3.5 weeks ago. I spend 3 weeks in an air boot and and now am walking in normal shoes (hiking boots or sneakers). It is still slightly swollen where the break is so my walking is uneven. I am a 40 something, typically very active woman. I'm going to start phys therapy in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I'm doing the exercise bike and swimming (doctor approved).

    I had a much worse break 8 months ago: I had a spriral displaced fracture at the neck of the same 5th metatarsal. I had surgery immediately with a plate and screws, spent 6 weeks NWB, and 2 months with very little walking after that. I had finally gotten almsot back to normal when this new break happened. My advice is take it slow so that it heals well and get to phys therapy as soon as your doctor says its okay. 

    • megan14265
      megan14265 pattycam

      Posted

      Hi Patty

      Sorry to hear about your break. Thank you for your advise. I wish you well.

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