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5th Metatarsal Fracture Recovery

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laura145
laura145

Hello. I have a number of questions.

8 weeks ago I broke my 5th metatarsal after falling. I just got out of my cast yesterday and was out in an air cast/boot. And the doctor left me with a number of questions unanswered and my next appointment isn't for 4 weeks with no physio or such before hand.

1. Today I have been able to start walking, worst I have been is using one crutch, mostly able to walk with no crutches, is this ok after only a day? I don't want to go on doing myself damage. The doctor told me that for my next appointment there is a chance that if I feel able I could come in my own normal footwear, but he never said anything for until then.

2. When showering, afterwards, am I able to weight bear for a step or two without the boot on to sit down again to dress etc. I'm unsure on this

3. What exercises are good to strengthen my calf muscles and also to gain back full range of motion in my ankle, I know one or two from sports injuries, but i haven't been told anything of this nature for this specific injury.

Any help would be very highly appreciated, as I just don't want to damage my foot further and either permenently injure myself or hinder the healing process

As aside information, I'm 19, a little overweight but in relatively good shape.

9 likes, 626 replies

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  • kristen78313
    kristen78313 laura145

    Posted

    I have been out of my walking boot for quite a while now. I feel like Kevin Durant though because I can feel the screw and still walk with a bit of a limp and still have swelling. I had my surgery on April 2nd. Hopefully I will not be able to feel it much longer as I really don't want another surgery.
  • sarnie
    sarnie laura145

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    I had an appointment at the fracture clinic today. After 6 weeks of wearing the NWB boot, I am free of it - YIPPEE!  I just have to take care over the next few weeks to give my foot and ankle time to get the strength back in it before returning to normality. So that is it for me after falling down the lower stairs in the night(no light on)and fracturing my 5th metatarsil. I have been signed off and can't wait to resume my life again. 

    Good luck and speedy healing to you all.And if you are not wearing one ask for a non weight bearing boot, according to my consultant it is the fast way for bone to heal and the most comfortable! Bye!!!

    • pat71022
      pat71022 sarnie

      Posted

      Congratulations! I am counting down to the 15th at which time I will join you in the Boot Free world after 12 wks. Take care!
    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 sarnie

      Posted

      Congratulations on your graduation Sarnie! Hopefully we will all be following you soon. smile
    • Andrea217
      Andrea217 sarnie

      Posted

      I wish I would have known that I would have demanded that boot. I broke 3 of my metatarsal bones on May 29 and maybe 3 days later I seen the ortho and he just casted it Even though I had a rash from the splint he didn't care. The 14th I go back for my walking boot. Just wondering for you and anyone else when you were able to walk again did you need assistance still? Was it a lot of pain? I'm moving exactly a week after I get my walking boot and I'm nervous about weight bearing now, even though I can't wait to be out of the cast lol
    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 Andrea217

      Posted

      Hi Andrea, I didn't need extra assistance once I got out of my boot but it was pretty achey the first week. My first walk was pretty painful that I felt discouraged but the next day was better. The second week, I worked hard on stopping my limp. You might see that it is hard to stop limping. I still keep my foot up as much as possible. The airboot is real comfortable and I have mostly good days and progress every day. Next to your cast, you might love your airboot. It is about three weeks in my air boot now and I had a long day with a lot of weight-bearing and I ache from head to toe right now. I still get those days. But a good night's sleep restores me. I'm nervous about the next step with a real shoe. The boot is protective. Good luck with this next transition Andrea.
  • siobhan15506
    siobhan15506 laura145

    Posted

    Any idea how long one would be in the boot after a nwb cast for 10 weeks? I suppose every break is different though so it's probably hard to call.
    • pat71022
      pat71022 siobhan15506

      Posted

      It must depend on severity of the break, surgery, health, age etc.  Are you in a walking boot now? I am walking in my air boot for 4 wks post NWB.
    • siobhan15506
      siobhan15506 pat71022

      Posted

      I broke 3 metatarsals and bad ligament spains. No im still in a NWB untill the 6th of August. My x-ray 4 weeks after the injury showed no union yet, so ill know on the 6th if they have started to join.... if not.. i dunno what will happen. I'm hoping they will and I'll get a boot.

      I'm 34 reasonably fit non smoker.

    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 siobhan15506

      Posted

      Hi sio, I broke just my 5th met but I did need surgery. As much as my airboot is a fashion crime, it is so comfortable that I don't mind wearing it. I suspect when all is said and done, that I will have been in my boot for six weeks before I can take it off. That is after 5 weeks of NWB. You broke more bones and had a ligament sprain. You might be in one for a few more weeks than me.
    • pat71022
      pat71022 siobhan15506

      Posted

      You are young, I would hold out hope.  Pamper your foot, rest and be patient.  It is just so hard to sit still for so long.  I can tell you that once it is behind you and you can have the walking boot,  you will be happy and be glad that it is behind you.  
  • Blueshell
    Blueshell laura145

    Posted

    Back to the hospital and gutted!! Fracture has only just started to heal - so another 3 weeks in fixed boot and then to start to wean into stiff sole shoe what they gave me.

    Also gave me an ultra sound machine to put on my fracture for 20 mins a day for the next 6 weeks when my next appointment is. Off abroad on my holidays next week and no idea how I'm going to take it with me?!

    Not the news I wanted but guess I'll just have to get on with it and hope the ultra sound machine works (has 85% success rate for delayed unions).

    • graham00230
      graham00230 Blueshell

      Posted

      Not good news - hopefully the ultrasound machine will work for you
    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 Blueshell

      Posted

      Hi Blue, I'm sorry your break is taking so long to heal. But you said it is beginning to heal. That is worth a little happy dance. On your good foot that is. smile Best to you and expedited success with the ultrasound.
    • emma81473
      emma81473 Blueshell

      Posted

      Hi Blueshell, so sorry to hear your fracture is taking longer than you hoped ...how long has it been now?  Fingers crossed the ultrasound will work...my consultant turned me down for one cos he sia dit wouldn't work as it was too late..contrary to what I have read..tho I think it's cos they are expensive to use ...I am in the UK.  However, my fracture is starting to heal, they found out at my pre op for pins and plates when they x rayed it as a blur was showing between the fractured bones.  Only taken 6 months to start to do what it should have done in the first place.  I try not to dwell on it and hope it will heal properly in the end, it is difficult and very frustrating and every now and again I get down over it as I am (or was!) a fit person who likes to walk longer distances and to run, although I have found I can cycle , and bought a cycle trainer to use at home too to make me feel a little better re fitness.  X ray again in 6 weeks.  Hope your holiday goes ok, I have previously been to Spain on a crutch...it was ideal for being whizzed through the queues though so worth it for that!  I would perhaps get a letter from your doctore re the maching and taking it with you, just in case any questions asked, but am sure it will be fine in your case, and you might be able to get extra luggage allowance if you contact the airline and explain? Enjoy the holdiay whatever..and fingers, and toes crossed for you!  Will be v interested to hear if the ultra sound works on you! 
    • Blueshell
      Blueshell emma81473

      Posted

      Thanks Emma 😀 I've been 8 weeks up to now - 4 weeks NWB in cast and 4 weeks fixed boot - with gradual weight bearing the past two weeks. 6 months is soooo long!!!

      I'm also in the UK and was bit taken a back coz the consultant just said try the ultra sound - I've read on forums how difficult they are to get!!

      Good idea regarding getting a letter for the air lines and the ultra sound - consultant did say to contact him if I needed a letter to fly so I'm sure he'll give me one the the contraption lol

      Good luck with your healing - at least your able to do some form of exercise 😀

    • emma81473
      emma81473 Blueshell

      Posted

      Yes, you've been v lucky..must be your area of the country!  Am sure having one would have helped me...I would have paid for one if I knew how!  Yes, try not to dwell on the time , but as long as it heals in the end!  Let us know how the ultra sound goes on...
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