5th Metatarsal Fracture Recovery

I was given a tall walking boot Tuesday and told I could fully weight bear and to walk on it as much as possible and to not be surprised if it swells up because that's gonna happen. Just to ice it and elevate it and ibuprofen for pain if it gets that bad but I've been trying to walk as much as possible and simple things as when I get up from the bed using more of that foot with the boot on of course. I was in my cast 6 weeks as well 2,3,4 metatarsals were fractured so I definitely feel pain still.

You gotta figure after not weight bearing or moving it any for 6 weeks it's gonna be like WTH when you start to put even a little weight on it again so that's normal. Try walking as much as you can and gradually putting more and more weight on your foot. As for the discoloration I definitely have that. My right foot is darker than my left and its peeling but that's just because that old skin has to come off. It'll slowly come off because the parts that have peeled they actually match my other foot lol and the parts that still have old flaky skin are darker so yes that's normal.

Hi Suzy,

I broke my 5th metarsal on 24th June. I initially thought I'd sprained my ankle, but it really hurt and my whole food swelled up, so I went to A&E the next day and they xrayed.

I was given a plaster cast and booked into the fracture clinic for around 2 weeks later.

While in the cast, my foot was very painful for the first week or so, however after that is stated to ease.

Once at the fracture clinic, I was given a boot and told I could start putting weight on it.

Its now around 3 and a half weeks since my break, and the swelling is gone and its no longer painful, although does get quite sore by the end of the day.

Hopefully you'll be able to start putting weight on your foot following your next appointment.  I'm told that it should fully recover as the bone continuously grows and adapts to the demands you put on it.

Yup your foot will go back to normal. My jones fracture healed in a plaster cast in 5 weeks. Then 3 weeks of solid physio got me jogging 8/9 weeks after the fracture. Doing squats and deadlifts by 12 weeks.

Stay positive, eat lots of good food (your broken bone needs it), weight bear as much as you can (wolfes law) and drink lots of milk - all this stuff worked for me.

 

Thank you for your reply Graham, that sounds like a good recovery so far. I'm just concerned why my doc didn't put me in a cast...

Was yours fully broken or a crack? He was explaining how their is different types of fractures.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

S.

Hi Joe,

Thank you for the reassurance. I'm hoping by 4 weeks it's healed and I can do some walking. Since it's my right foot, I'm concerned about driving.

I'm glad you recovered great.

For others reading, it's been one week and I have no pain, just a bit of swelling, bruising and pain only when touched.

S.

Hi Suzy, I had a displaced fracture down the shaft of the bone.  Nurse at A&E seemed concerned about it, but consultant at fracture clinic 2 weeks in didn't seem too concerned and put me straight into a walking boot.

Oh my, that looks bad, so I guess mine isn't in a cast because it isn't dislocated 🙏🏻

Thank you for your reply

Hi Graham my fracture was displaced too and it's very close to the Jones area. I'm diabetic and 50 years old. At my 9 weeks xray it showed healing but the fracture line was still  visible. I could see a hairline fracture left. Yours is at a better blood circulation site it should heal quicker. Once your foot is straighten in the boot the gap should align itself. Lots of rest, calcium and vitamin D. Lots of prayers too. 

Hi Suzy, just wondering how your foot is. Mine had no pain or swelling, but still in a bit until I go back to the hospital on 24th.

Hopefully your recovery is going well.

Just been for my checkup today. Almost 9 weeks (two nwb in a back cast and 7 in a can walker).

No pain or swelling but xrays still show a gap with some bone growth Can start wearing walking shoes/trainers indoors and progress to outdoors too when I feel I'm ready. No driving yet, but can once I've managed outdoors for two weeks.

Back at hospital in 6, but hopefully will be wearing normal shoes and getting around fine by then.

Hi I'm just about 8weeks in recovery 6in non weight bearing cast and I'm my second week in boot. I was in pain when walking with boot and swollen but I have persevered and taken short walks daily today I walked for quite a while and it's not as painful to walk I feel it's getting better , hardly any pain but doc did say walking helps bones to heal .keep at it and increase walking daily .i too forget to ask questions 

I just got out of my cast Tuesday and in walking boot and told to walk on it as much as possible. Im wondering if you used crutches or a cane. The pain hurts so freaking bad when I walk I do feel a lot better than Tuesday but still a lot of pain and never said anything about walking with assistance my ortho just said walk on it as much as I can. They tried to have me walk out of the damn room just walking no crutches or anything so I'm so confused as to if I should be trying to walk without crutches

I got a walking boot almost two weeks ago. Started on two crutches, but now only use one most of the time. I still use two outdoors, but that's more for comfort rather than need.

Walking was painful at first, but not too bad now.

I'm so afraid to put weight on it because I feel lik I'm gonna break it again. By the ortho trying to have me walk out of there on my own without crutches or anything I'm sure it's fine to walk on its just scary. It's only been 4 days but I feel like I should be able to walk on it a lot more

I have a Jones fracture and I  have been using two crutches when walking with boot for 10 days now I couldn't walk without crutches. It has become easier and the pain has subsided still pain at left hand side of foot. I was told to then walk with one crutch when I felt ready . Everyone s different but it's working for me I'm going to start with one crutch now as my pain has lessened and my foots improving with walking. There's videos on u tube demonstrating how to walk with boot and crutches, to help put correct pressure/stress on bones to aid recovery and correct gait.

Yeah I've been looking at so much stuff. Like I can walk and use one crutch but I walk so slow because it hurts if I go out somewhere I take two for comfort but yeah my doc didn't really tell me much just to wear it for 3 weeks and come back to him in a month which I'm still kind of confused because if I wear this for 3 weeks do I go back to a shoe the 4th week. He really didn't explain a thing but him telling me to walk on it. So even though the pain is hurting like crazy I've been walking with a cane or one crutch. Hopefully over the next couple of days it won't be so bad.

Hi Angela I just wanted to know how you're getting on. Today I managed to take a few steps without crutches but with the boot. It was amazing to be able to carry things around. I'm at 13 weeks now. I still very cautious with my foot.

Hi naz I went back to hospital after having air cast boot for three weeks and I had managed to get down to using 1 crutch I could even walk small steps with boot and I could walk upstairs carefully. Doc gave me another X-ray said it's healing but you may be reliant on boot try to wean myself off boot use trainer so I have just about managed to get foot into trainer as it's still bit swollen and discoloured which doc says is normal at this stage (9weeks) doc asked me to move foot upwards but I am restricted so I have been sent to a physiology to increase movement. Ive been walking outdoors but using 2 crutches sometimes 1 but my knee is very swollen doc says this is normal too can't wait till it clears up Jones fracture is no fun hope u r healing well .

Oh I'm so happy for you. Well done. I've still not got the go ahead for transmitting to normal shoes yet. My next appointment is on the 10th and it would be my 13th weeks. As for the discolouration it was the same for me at 9 weeks. I soaked my foot for 20 mins and the skin started to peel off. The physio will help a lot. Keep it up!