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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

626 Replies

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  • JMas52
    JMas52 laura145

    Posted

    Hey all.

    I had a non displaced fracture of the fifth metartarsal 3 weeks ago today while landing in a basketball game. The fracture is lower down the bone than the 'Jones' region, slightly into the skinnier part (xray attached), and was a decent fracutre, going around 2/3 to 3/4 of the way through the bone. The first 2 weeks I non-weight bared (crutches with a bandage). After 2 weeks I could walk fully weight baring with minimal pain and my physio informed me I walk with the assistance of crutches, partial weight bare and that I could swim, of which I did throughout the next week with no pain. I can now at 3 weeks walk around the house full weight baring, but still use the crutches when leaving the house and am able to do some rehab (leg press and other leg weight machines). I intend to play in a tornament 4 weeks from now (7 weeks total) is this realistic, and is it normal to progress through your recovery this quickly, because i've become nervous from the online "horror" stroies (5'11 155 pounds 18y.o male)

    • graham00230
      graham00230 JMas52

      Posted

      I've got a displaced shaft fracture.  After 2 weeks on a cast, I've been given a boot and told I can put weight on it and walk.  My consultant told me not to worry and the best thing is to try and move around and it will heal itself.  Was a bit worried, but I can move around with crutches and it hasn't been painful.

      7 weeks sounds a bit quick to go to a tornament, although I guess it depends on what your physio/consultant says.

    • Suzy888
      Suzy888 JMas52

      Posted

      Hi, I was wondering if you've fully recovered?

      Do you have any pain and does your foot swell? Do you limp when you walk?

      All in all, how long did full recovery take.

      Thank you.

      S.

  • HannahL
    HannahL laura145

    Posted

    I just broke my 5th metatarsal 3 weeks ago - two minor cracks in the bone, non-displaced, not even all the way through. I was in a splint, NWB with crutches for a week, then switched to a walking boot where I did partial weight bearing since then. Over did it a bit 2 weekends ago when I went to a concert and had to walk around the stadium a bit, and then backed off. Started feeling much better, was walking half without the crutches, half with, even went for a very short drive and a swim. All the sudden, three weeks after the injury, a new bruise/ red mark has formed under my fourth toe with some major "bruise pain." Can't even walk on it with crutches anymore. Back to two crutches, NWB. The new bruise and pain is not near the break, and the bruise itself, which went from yellowish/green to dark red/purple in the last couple days, hurts worse than the initial break when I bear weight. When i removed the boot at first, it was perfectly framed by creases in my skin caused by the boot, but I haven't felt any particularly noticeable discomfort until now with the boot on. I've since loosened the straps. Been sleeping and showering with the boot off, otherwise it's on. Anyone have any experience with this? The doctor was less than helpful, cancelled my appointment himself cause he thought it was pointless. Said "bruises move" cause of gravity and I probably just pushed it too hard, but the pain isn't even at the break site. I've never read anything anywhere that talks about a bruise forming in a different location 3 weeks after the injury. Anyone have any ideas, or maybe any similar experiences with walking boots?
  • rowan88
    rowan88 laura145

    Posted

    I broke my right 5th metatarsal 4 weeks ago.  I have a communited fracture and was in a cast for the first week and then a walking book with crutches since.  I drive for a living so this has had a huge impact on my ability to work since I cannot drive. I still have pain and sweeling but the swelling has been more in my ankle and upper foot than the break site which I find quite odd.  I get my next round of Xrays on Monday and I am quite nervous as I need to be able to operate a car soon for my peace of mind and for my continued employment.
    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 rowan88

      Posted

      Good luck Rowan. I don't drive for a living but I was dying to get my independence back. I am in a boot on my right foot now and can drive very easily with it.
  • Andrea217
    Andrea217 laura145

    Posted

    Hey guys! So an update, I went to the ortho yesterday to have X-rays on the foot I broke and he said everything is healed and gave me my walking boot. He told me to put full weight on it and walk as much as I can. The thing is it hurts sooooooo bad like I can't walk on my own I have to have the crutches for support. He told me to do the abc exercises with my foot and walk as much as I can but I'm in so much pain with it. I'm not sure if I should walk even while it's hurting so bad or use the crutches still. Like when I try to walk on my own I feel like my leg is gonna give out.

    Just wondering how soon after getting the walking boot and ok to walk did it take you guys to actually be able to on your own.

    • naz1965
      naz1965 Andrea217

      Posted

      Hi Andrea same here. I've had my 9 weeks check up and I've been told to walk more with the boot on but my foot swells at the end of the day and it is a little sore. See my xray. Apparently the gap has reduced but the fracture is still visible. Should I still walk full weight on?
    • Andrea217
      Andrea217 naz1965

      Posted

      My ortho told me that don't be surprised if it swells up because your starting to walk again and all the soreness is normal. Yesterday was my 6 weeks and he just gave me my boot and said walk the pain is normal the swelling is normal. Now for me I'm not gonna try to walk 100% weight and it hurts as bad as it does that's crazy but if you're able to walk on it and it doesn't hurt really bad I would say go for it or start using one crutch. They say walking helps heal it too. Just don't put yourself through excruciating pain. Oh and elevate it above your heart at night and ice packs are your friend lol the swelling and pain will go away but start at what's comfortable to you whether that's using 2 crutches, 1 crutch or even a cane.

      Don't forget the exercises too don't know if your further along but for me I've started the abc exercise. If you look up DrMichelleWolford on YouTube she has 3 excellent videos showing her 3 phases of the walking boot and transitioning to full weight bearing.

    • naz1965
      naz1965 Andrea217

      Posted

      Thanks for all the advice. You've put my mind at rest. I'm going to watch those videos. I'm such a scaredy cat!😩
    • Andrea217
      Andrea217 naz1965

      Posted

      Maaan I'm the scaredy cat because it hurts but I have to put more and more weight on it or it will remain sore that's why he was saying walk on it as much as possible. Already my ankle is starting to not hurt as bad now I just need the bones that I did break to not hurt when I walk and I'll be good lol
    • naz1965
      naz1965 Andrea217

      Posted

      hi Andrea just wanted how you're getting on. I'm trying to walk without crutches and it's quite difficult. I'm taking a few steps at a time and I can't believe I'm hands free after 13 weeks. I'm still too cautious though
    • Andrea217
      Andrea217 naz1965

      Posted

      So I'm completely walking on my own without assistance!!! So happy about that it's really weird. But I can go up and down the steps and all of that without help. I can't wait to be out of the boot because of the limping. It's still slight pain but it's bearable. Today I was on my feet all day cooking and my foot is sore but I'm just glad to be without the crutches. Honestly the more you walk on it it truly helps. I went from two crutches to the cane/one crutch and now nothing at all.

      I forced myself to walk on it with the cane even though I was feeling some pain because it's subsides as the days go by. Try to not use two crutches and just the one and go around walking like that for as long as you can gradually putting the weight is good. You're used to two crutches so try one, then maybe 4 or more days later try hands free. I did it that way and now I don't use anything. I do walk slower with the boot but I'm walking so for that im grateful

    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 Andrea217

      Posted

      Congratulations Andrea! I just officially moved from a boot to shoes full time - 3 months post surgery. I was transitioned from the boot by wearing the boot for longer community distances and shoes for home and office and shorter distances. A little unnerving psychologically I have to say. I feel like I've let go of my security blanket and have to grow up again. I didn't realize how much those things like boots, scooters, NWB actually made me feel kind of secure. I did a lot of homework on shoes and have found Keens are great for my first pair of big girl shoes again. Dansko has cute styles when I actually have to look like a professional. I have to be conscious of bringing back stride and heel-to-toe walking. Amazing how even my friends kind of stop their foot stride part of the way through. I like to power walk and was told by my doc to start small and add 10 percent each day as tolerated. If I swell, stay at that distance until I stop swelling. I was forewarned that I should be cognitive of how my foot is reacting for about a year. Cheers to everyone's healing evolution!
    • naz1965
      naz1965 elizabeth56745

      Posted

      Congratulations Elizabeth, I can't wait to be able to walk with normal shoes. I hope on the 10th I get the go ahead.
    • naz1965
      naz1965 Andrea217

      Posted

      Thanks Andrea,I'm going to persevere with the walking. 
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