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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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  • Violet23
    Violet23 laura145

    Posted

    HI,  I had a Jones fracture (dancers fracture). with two breaks in the bone.  I discovered this is worse than the fracture which is a little higher up the bone that people often do by going over on heels, and takes longer to heal plus is more painful than the other type, so I kept the boot on for 8 weeks for my own peace of mind despite the doc saying I could take it off at 5 weeks.  My break wasn’t completely healed then and I felt it was too sore.

    Now I’m at week 9 and have seen a physio since it came off.  It felt weird to put weight on it at the start but gradually I relaxed and am putting full weight and trying to walk as normal as poss without aid of a crutch as advised.

    I have nasty pains in my ankle and under my toes but was assured this is normal from lack of use.  The ankle pain is now easing but the pain under foot is still uncomfortable and worse in the mornings when stiff.   It’s early days though and it seems to improve a little each day.  I’ve been told to massage it as I was told while also In the boot to help blood flow and walk in various footwear and bare feet.   The physio also said I have no more chance of it revreakinf through any activity now than I do any other bone.  

    To the lady who has numbness I would say I had a little in my toes when I rubbed them and some tingling but massage helped a lot.  If it’s numb and feels weird when u don’t touch it maybe tell your doc but otherwise it’s just lack of blood flow.

    I’m a dog walker so this has been a nightmare break for me but I think I’m gonna be walking fine in another two weeks max so although it’s a long road try not to worry people u will get there 😊. 

  • gina71
    gina71 laura145

    Posted

    I fractured my left foot 5th metatarsal (base fracture) back in August .. 46 yrs old and got up one morning to go to the bathroom at home and totally lost my footing (foot just gave out) and heard crackle knew I injured myself made it to urgent care and got x rays doctor was an idiot said he couldn’t tell from the X-ray so they wrapped my foot with an ACE bandage and I finished off my work day and sent me X-ray to ortho. Ended up being in a cast from August 20 - September 22 no weight bearing (worst month ever and still off work due to pain and my foot isn’t strong enough for me to do my job duties and job dexterity testing. My bone has healed but horrible pain walking just went into my regular tennis shoe a few days ago and doing strengthening exercises at home, I required physical therapy to help get my foot strengthened so I can get back to work and function somewhat normally. Worst experience ever. I doubled up on my vitamins for bone health and invested in that Dr Christopher’s tissue and bone ointment (helped a lot also with pain and healing) for me it’s going on 3 months dealing with this injury and being off work. Just stay focused on getting better and taking care of your body (the vitamins will help) and even if it’s a slow process don’t push yourself too much listen to your body. Believe me my boss isn’t happy I’m still off work but it’s better than me damaging my foot again by pushing it 
  • rahul989
    rahul989 laura145

    Posted

    Hi I’m based out of Singapore. I broke my fifth metatarsal 6 weeks ago and have since been in a non weight bearing cast. I had a consultation yesterday and the doc says there is no sign of healing yet. Have been asked to come back after 3 weeks. So that will be 9 weeks NWB. I also heard from him that it this doesn’t heal (or shows no sign of healing even after 12 weeks) he will have to go for a surgery (bone graft!!).  I’m 29 and it has been a year since I quit smoking.  Have there been cases where the bone has healed after 9 weeks or after 6 weeks of absolutely no sign of healing ? I really wanted to avoid the knife and that’s the reason I have been very  patient all this while. Appreciate some advise. 
    • pmalves76
      pmalves76 rahul989

      Posted

      Hi rahul989,

      my 4mm avulsion fracture healed in 6 weeks. At week 7 i was already in PT and walking. So your 9 weeks should show some good healing. While on a cast I did the following: I upped my calories, i took Vitamin C, D3, calcium, magnesium and zinc pills. Check out Cissus Quadrangularis, i took about 5g a day. This with a good diet (lots os vegetables) will give the body a good condition to heal itself and keep inflammation down. good luck

       

    • Violet23
      Violet23 rahul989

      Posted

      Hi after breaking my fifth met i did some reading and discovered that if it’s a Jones fracture it can take longer to heal than other fractures in that area.   Sometimes survey is needed but hopefully it won’t come to that.  I also read and was told by my doctor that some careful weight bearing can help it to heal faster.   I was put into a walking boot after just one week.   It was much easier to get around with it why crutches so maybe you could ask for one.  I think it’s very old fashioned to keep you in a normal cast so long.   I also took calcium supplements.  I took my boot off at 9 weeks and was fully healed ( I had two fractures in the same bone).  

      My whole foot and ankle was sore for weeks after which the docs don’t warn you about but it’s all normal!   Just takes a long time to build strength again in it.

      Hope you can get the boot and good luck! 

    • rahul989
      rahul989 pmalves76

      Posted

      Hi pmalves76,

      Thank you so much for the reply. Great to know that your 4mm fracture healed in 6 weeks.  Mine is at 2mm now. I am taking calcium tablets Everyday . I’m taking a lot of fruits. Noted on the cissus quandrangularis. I’ll see if I can get that! Thank you so much, again. 

    • rahul989
      rahul989 Violet23

      Posted

      Hi Violet23,

      Thank you for taking the time to reply. Yes this particular fracture does take a long  time. But the worrying part is, it’s been 6 week and the gap between the bones remains the same (2mm).  Get your point on the boots. Apparently, I’m consulting one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in the best hospital in Singapore. So not really sure why I haven’t been given the “boot” option. Will ask the doc in my next review. From what I have read and understood in a wide range of forums, staying in a cast for a long time seems to be more of an “Asian” thing. I might as well be wrong. Thank you, again! 

    • rahul989
      rahul989 Violet23

      Posted

      Hi Violet23,

      Thank you for taking the time to reply. Yes this particular fracture does take a long  time. But the worrying part is, it’s been 6 week and the gap between the bones remains the same (2mm).  Get your point on the boots. Apparently, I’m consulting one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in the best hospital in Singapore. So not really sure why I haven’t been given the “boot” option. Will ask the doc in my next review. From what I have read and understood in a wide range of forums, staying in a cast for a long time seems to be more of an “Asian” thing. I might as well be wrong. Thank you, again! 

    • jan42706
      jan42706 rahul989

      Posted

      Hi, I had broken four toes across the metatarsal the beginning of August and can honestly say I feel almost back to normal...I don't suffer any pain or discomfort but just feel my toes don't move as freely as before.  I am suffering more with my other foot since the break as I have a fallen arch in that foot and not sure if it has got worse by over compensating while not able to weight-bear on the broken foot.  Hope your healing process doesn't take too long.

    • gina71
      gina71 rahul989

      Posted

      Up your vitamins! D calcium biotin etc and all the veggies that supply your bones with proper nutrients. It will help the healing. I was in non weight bearing cast for 5 weeks (pure hell) after that 2 weeks I could barley walk I asked for physical therapy and I’m now 5th week of pt. Lost 80% range  of motion of my injured foot, constant swelling and pain, doctor said my bone is healed its my ligaments muscle and tendons that were atrophied during my cast time time that is causing my current problem ... physical therapy is slow and painful and now I apparently have calcuum build up in areas of my injured foot that seem to be the culprit of my constant pain. I’m 46 don’t smoke and try to eat healthy but my recovery from this injury is taking forever and I’m still off work and may Not be able to return to much usual and customary job I Pray I can. Just keep up with the vitamins and dont be afraid to ask questions to to yours ortho or foot & ankle doctor 

    • ashleigh05866
      ashleigh05866 jan42706

      Posted

      Glad to hear you're doing so well! I am about 12 weeks post surgery on my broken 5th metatarsal. I'm walking with no issues and besides a tender spot on the incision (which is still slightly scabby and not totally healed), I have little pain. This morning was the first time I dared to jog across our gym floor a few times, and it felt great. I might try jogging a little farther later this week.  One of my biggest issues has been stiffness in my big toe and ankle, presumably from being immobilized so long. It is getting better, though! Good luck to anyone just starting this nightmare! It's almost worse to break a foot than a leg!

    • rahul989
      rahul989 jan42706

      Posted

      Glad to hear you’re back to normal. I’m sure it will take you quite some time to move your toes as freely as you used to. I hope your other foot also heals fast. Good luck and thank you for taking the time to reply. 
    • rahul989
      rahul989 gina71

      Posted

      Thank you for taking the time to reply. NWB for more than 5 weeks is definitely annoying. I’ll need to be NWB for 9 week; have 3 more weeks to go. I’m taking a lot of fruits. Have planned to completey cut caffeine from today.  Also taking my calcium supplements. Hope your ligaments and tendons also heal fast. Do some basic foot exercises. Now that your fracture has healed I think you should start doing some basic exercises that will help strengthen your muscles. From a work perspective, I have the librety to work from home. So have been doing that right  from the day I broke my met. Good luck with your recovery and hope you get back to work soon. 
    • paula1962
      paula1962 gina71

      Posted

      Hi Gina,

      I too have ligament and tendon issues on my left foot, as my metatarsal break followed a complete ankle replacement surgery forcing my left foot to take the brunt of my weight for months.  I am just starting to again walk part of the time without the evil boot, and just tolerate the tendon/ligament pain as I just can't take being immobile any longer.  I heard they can take longer than a break, but I don't worry as much about them not healing.  Best of luck to you.  I totally understand the forever recovery period.  I'm pretty sure I lost all PT from the ankle replacement too as I needed to be NWB for a few weeks.  Some people get all the luck.

    • sandi27417
      sandi27417 paula1962

      Posted

      Actually bone fractures heal much faster and better than tendons and ligaments which can cause on going issues. Bones heal in 6 to 8 weeks. Ligaments and tendons are tough depending on how much damage was done. The not only need rest but PT after. Hope you heal quickly
    • gina71
      gina71 sandi27417

      Posted

      Thank you Sandi ... I won’t lie, this is very frustrating dealing with the break and cast aftermath. When my cast was removed the doctor told me to just start walking for a week with the orthopedic shoe and help with a crutch and ween myself off of it and put on tennis shoes by the second week ... didn’t really help, so I called and got into physical therapy which I’ve been in since October... my rang of motion was only 20% (lost 80%)  then and i have only regained 20% of it (got measured a few days ago) it’s very slow and I’m still walking like Igor with a horrible stiff limp and I keep trying to believe I’ll be able to walk almost normal again, it’s just a financial hardship and I can’t return to my job still, I fear I may need to find a  office sit down job instead of much current one which I have to a lot of use of my feet walking and stepping up steps. This has been a challenge and test in my life for sure 
    • sandi27417
      sandi27417 gina71

      Posted

      Gina I can not believe this. You just got awful medical care! I am so very sorry. These breaks are difficult but your story is crazy. No doctor eoukd have you weight bearing for 6 weeks. Take care of yourself. 
    • paula1962
      paula1962 sandi27417

      Posted

      Thank you Sandi.  Yes the fracture has mostly healed I think - I can walk on it now.  The ligaments/tendons thing have been around for a long time since the pain of the ankle required my other foot to take most of my weight, but it's not too bad - I am able to work, which is basically on my feet with the animals.  I heard they take a long time.  This has been quite a long time, but perhaps now that the right foot can take some more weight, I will see some improvement...

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