5th Metatarsal Fracture Recovery
Posted , 152 users are following.
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
ashleigh05866 laura145
Posted
So glad to find this discussion! Last Saturday I broke my 5th metatarsal and am having surgery on Wednesday to fix it. It would have been done earlier, but it was too swollen last week.
I've been good about not putting any weight on it at all, and I've iced it regularly and kept it wrapped with an Ace bandage. The surgical route seemed like a more assured recovery time, which I hope is as short as possible. I too am an avid equestrian and CrossFit enthusiast, so being off my feet has been horrible. I also have two small children and lots of animals to take care of! It will be great to be functioning again. This sucks!
terry2017 ashleigh05866
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leftfootfecked ashleigh05866
Posted
Hi Ashleigh..sorry to hear about your fracture. I had surgery after fracturing my 5th metatarsal, they put a screw in to encourage fracture to heal as it was a non union after 10 weeks of initial NWB. After 6 weeks of surgery I was told to start to weight bear with crutches. A little apprehensive at first but within a few weeks I was able to walk again without crutches.. it was such a good feeling. Although I'm not able to run at the moment I'm able to go to gym ride bike etc..I hope surgery works for you and you make a speedy recovery
sandi27417 ashleigh05866
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ashleigh05866 sandi27417
Posted
That's reassuring, Sandi; thank you! I also have horses at home. Doing the barn on crutches has been interesting. At least they aren't spooking at them anymore after a week of me hobbling around! I am dreaming of being able to drive again. We just bought a new truck and I am so sad I can't drive it.
For those of you who broke a right foot, how long before you could drive? I'm going crazy.
ashleigh05866 leftfootfecked
Posted
I'm glad you are feeling better! Have they told you when you might be able to run again? I hope I can run before too long...I love running and fear it will be the dead of winter before I can exercise outside again.
ashleigh05866 terry2017
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leftfootfecked ashleigh05866
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Hi Ashleigh, they didn't really say however managed to break into a very light jog on the treadmill tonight for 5 mins. Everyone and their recovery will be different, but to try to give you some timeframe in my case it has been approx 12 weeks since I have been weight bearing on foot after surgery. (4 weeks NWB after surgery) so total approx 16 weeks to get to this far. I'm unable to go on tip toe on foot at present and because of this the foot does not have full flexibility...
I hope this gives you some encouragement and keeps you positive..I hope surgery goes well for you...Keep us posted on your progress post surgery
sandi27417 ashleigh05866
Posted
ashleigh05866 sandi27417
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jan42706 laura145
Posted
Hi Ashleigh and all with foot problems, I broke four toes across the metatarsal nearly 6 weeks ago. I slipped down a step into my porch and went over on my foot..I didn't go to the hospital until the day after as I thought I had just sprained my ankle or badly bruised my foot, when I got up the next day I couldn't WB at all...after an xray and being told I had done the above I was put in a backslab for 5 days then I had to go and see the consultant, he was going to put me in a shoe then decided on the boot and I was given arm crutches rather than the underarm ones. I have been in the boot for 5 weeks on Tuesday and wear it all the time except when i am sitting with my leg up raised on top of cushions and do not wear it in bed now I am wondering if I should have kept it on even when my foot was up. I wasn't really given any instruction on whether to try and move my toe which I am finding very stiff. I went back to work last week on a phased return, I sit at a desk and i keep my foot raised, my leg starts to ache more doing this so as soon as that happens I finish work, I am back at the hospital tomorrow, I was hoping I could try and start to walk again but reading all your messages and you have all I think just broken one toe and I now thinking I wont be able to. MY other worry is I am supposed to be going on holiday to Greece for two week a week today and was hoping I would still be able to go. I can WB on my foot just while getting dressed now and it doesn't hurt but I have not tried walking on it. I was hoping I would be told to try and come out the boot tomorrow and try walking a bit but judging by all of what you are all saying I think I am expecting too much :-(
J9metatarsal jan42706
Posted
Hi Ashleigh. I went to Madeira 3 weeks after I broke my foot. Just let the airline know as they can assist you on & off the plane. I was provided with a wheelchair for around the airport. Might be a good idea to contact the hotel too to make sure you can get around ok. Good luck with your recovery. I'm only just starting to get back to normal & I broke mine January the 6th.
jan42706 J9metatarsal
Posted
Thanks J9, I am back at the hospital tomorrow afternoon, I don't think there will be a problem with me flying I just may have to give up my extra legroom seats. I am assuming they will x-ray it tomorrow and I'm hoping it is healing properly, as I say I can stand on it for a minute before I put the boot on, i am just concerned re my toes not moving freely but have been told by a consultant that my daughter works for that it is very early days yet and they will in time so fingers crossed.
sandi27417 jan42706
Posted
sandi27417
Posted
Meant before!!😂
jan42706 sandi27417
Posted
lol Sandi, Im not actually standing on it as putting weight on it, i put my heel to the floor when getting dressed, haven't even tried to walk on it, i usually put my heel to the floor as that is what the boot does, i walk on my heel in the boot....I won't be sorry to not be hearing the sound of the velcro every time I get up to go to the toilet, wears you down a bit as you all must feel the same, can't wait to be normal again, as someone said in earlier posts, nobody actually tells you what you must and must not be doing, for example should i be trying to move my toes, one of the doctors I work for said I should because of circulation etc, I said as I was leaving can I take the boot off if im not walking about and going to bed and was told yes, all they said was I should be able to get a shoe on after 4 weeks, well I can't ...the hospital just gave me the boot and said come back in four weeks time, it will almost be five tomorrow.
J9metatarsal jan42706
Posted
Hi Jan. yes it is early days. Write down questions you would like to ask them tomorrow. I always had lots of questions but always ended up forgetting to ask most of them. My next appointment is October now and I'm hoping it's healed completely but I suspect it'll be about 75% now. Good luck tomorrow.
ashleigh05866 jan42706
Posted
Hi Jan. Have you been back to the hospital? I hope they were able to give you good news. I can't say what the best protocol is for letting the bones heal because I opted for surgery. My 5th metatarsal was broken badly and displaced -- it ended up needing a plate and 5 screws to put it back together. I will probably be completely NWB for 6 weeks, but I am praying that at my 2-week appointment they will let me start driving. That has been the worst part. I wear my boot anytime I'm out of bed. I've become a pro at keeping it elevated atop three pillows even when I'm asleep. They told me not to put any weight on it whatsoever but that I should move my toes and ankle as much as I can. The day after surgery was very painful, but since then it has been getting better and better. I'm only on Tylenol for the small amount of discomfort I have. Hoping to ditch that, too, in the next couple of days. Those narcotic pain meds are no joke!
Anyway, let us know how your hospital visit went!
jan42706 ashleigh05866
Posted
Hi Ashleigh, sorry I have taken so long to reply, didn't have time for computer after hospital visit as i was given the all clear to go on holiday from which I have just arrived home from, I am out of the boot and in trainers at the moment, I don't have any pain in my foot now and my toes are starting to heal.,I still don't have full movement in them but I am managing to walk very slowly and he told me it will take a long time for my foot to recover, I can feel improvement but think I still have a long way to go, my foot does swell if I am on it too long, the consultant was pleased with the way my toes were healing...however because I already had a fallen arch in the other foot for which I have insoles in my shoes this foot is now playing up as well now, I think it was because I wasn't wearing the insoles...like you I still have pillows under my foot in bed to keep it raised, keep thinking I will never walk properly again but the consultant says I will but it will take time. Hope you are starting to feel better yourself.
Violet23 ashleigh05866
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ashleigh05866 jan42706
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I'm glad for you that you could go on holiday! I had my first PT session this morning. It felt amazing to have a good foot rub and to work on some exercises to improve my ROM. They want me start with 25% weight-bearing for a few days, with the goal of being to 50% within a week. Hopefully in about 10 days I can ditch the crutches. My foot swells every afternoon, and now that I'm doing a bit more I do have some pain, but I'm hoping it's temporary. I am so eager to walk normally, run, and ride my horse again!