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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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  • emma81473
    emma81473 laura145

    Posted

    Hi all

    Juat a quick statement to reply to a how do you prevent yourself from doing much/weight bearing...well the consultant I saw said baldly that if I didn't rest, and I walked on my foot I was letting myself in for a far longer recovery and also possible problems in the future!

    So...REST, REST REST!!   And DON'T weight bear before you are told you can!

    My recovery is super slow (did it on Dec 17 and still not showing any join or mend on x ray..now delayed union) compared to most of you on here...and I think that is because I was slow to get it x-rayed cos it happened over Xmas and I thought it just bruised and  the initial doctor I saw at the hospital told me it was ok to still drive ..it's my clutch foot...and to go to work as long as I put it up whilst there.  I chose to use crutches...he didn't advise this...and I wasn't given a boot.  So be thankful all of you out there that you seem to have been treated better!

    • Stookay
      Stookay emma81473

      Posted

      I used a knee roller over tha last 6 weeks. Without the knee roller I would have been in a bad spot. Some medical supply stores sel them if you have a prescription but youc an also get them on Amazon. 
    • dawn36320
      dawn36320 Stookay

      Posted

      I dont know what i would have done without knee scooter. U was lucky and found one on craigslist for around $100. Watch for them in your area. They are a blessing. My insurance would not have covered it thats why i choose to purchase used. And $100 is still cheaper than renting. In my area it is around $50 a week to rent. 😢 My arms and chest hurt 1 day after using crutches and couldn't carry anything. Hope this helps anyone who needs alternative to crutches.
    • megan14265
      megan14265 Stookay

      Posted

      Hi Stookay i suffered a 5th base metatrsal fracture 5 weeks ago. Am concerned with my foot as i too have a lump on the fracture point. My docs said it will likely be like that forever. Im having issues bearing weight in my shoe my foot feels weak as if its going to pop!! I get burning sensations and pain after applying pressure when in the shoe. I thought by week 5 ill be able to walk on it. I did try standing on it last sunday but the next day was painful and swollen. My break is very similar to urs... i work in retail and need my foot to be 100%. Also im getting lots of twitches. Is this all sounding like its healing? Surely id be able to walk in my walker boot by now? Glad ur recovered.
    • megan14265
      megan14265 Stookay

      Posted

      Hi Stookay i suffered a 5th base metatrsal fracture 5 weeks ago. Am concerned with my foot as i too have a lump on the fracture point. My docs said it will likely be like that forever. Im having issues bearing weight in my shoe my foot feels weak as if its going to pop!! I get burning sensations and pain after applying pressure when in the shoe. I thought by week 5 ill be able to walk on it. I did try standing on it last sunday but the next day was painful and swollen. My break is very similar to urs... i work in retail and need my foot to be 100%. Also im getting lots of twitches. Is this all sounding like its healing? Surely id be able to walk in my walker boot by now? Glad ur recovered.
  • Bear78
    Bear78 laura145

    Posted

    I broke the 5th metatarsal in my right foot 3 weeks ago, after breaking this bone up to 3 times before (didn't get xrayed the 3rd time) Was given a fracture boot and was getting on quite well.

    3 days ago whilst making tea, I went over on my left foot, resulting in a fracture of the 4the metatarsal on my left foot. 

    From the X-ray, it also looks like I have fractured this foot before, does anyone have any experience of this?

    Am I in a backslab on my left leg until next weeks appointment at the fracture clinic, don't know if they'll give me another boot, am a bit worried if they remove the boot from my right leg, I don't know about bearing most of my weight on it when it is still possibly healing.

    Sorry for the essay

  • luis88939
    luis88939 laura145

    Posted

    I am 8 weeks now with my 5th metatarsal fracture, with a walking boot with minimal weight bearing mostly with the heel. When i take the boot off i can do full ankle motion, stretch out my pinky toe, does not hurt when i put weight on foot. I still feel a little skeptical about going into full activities so i bought a stiff soled shoe that i will still wear for another 3 weeks just so i can be on the safe side and keep the bone healing while also strengthening it. The big issue is while at work, I work at a dry cleaners which i am on my feet all day, so i will slowly take my time and not rush anything. I do not want to reinjure myself at no costs
  • Brianna12345
    Brianna12345 laura145

    Posted

    I broke my 5th metatarsal in the mid-shaft. I broke it 3 months ago and it is not healed yet. Anybody know why?

    The bone has started healing on a angle causing a slight deformity. Will I need surgery?

    I have to go back to the doctors in a month and I'm scared it won't be healed by then? Help?

    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 Brianna12345

      Posted

      Brianna, I'm not sure I would wait a month for a follow-up especially if you see deformity. Can you get in sooner?
    • Brianna12345
      Brianna12345 elizabeth56745

      Posted

      Well my doctor informed me about the deformity and told me now to worry too much about it. She wants to see if it will be healed by June 15th because it's already been 4 months and it should have healed. I'm just worried about possibly needing surgery.
    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 Brianna12345

      Posted

      Hi Brianna, I had surgery and I am ok with it. Avoiding surgery seems to be what people are hoping for and if it is not necessary then it should be avoided. But I am finding that the recovery time is no longer with surgery and the follow-up rest, feet up, non-weight-bearing recommedations are the same. In my case,  I waited  a couple of weeks and continued to walk before I saw my doctor. That caused more injury. But the surgery quickly aligned my bones back to where they need to be for good healing. Although, I am three weeks post-surgery right now and still nwb, I can feel my foot getting more solid and far less painful. But keeping it up and sleeping is the key. Good luck to you on the 15th.
  • emma81473
    emma81473 laura145

    Posted

    H Laura145, it's not unusual, if you google it you will see it can be a bone which takes a lot longer to heal than other bones. I am not a doctor but I know walking and gradual weight bearing should be good (Wolff's Law...bit of weight bearing helps heal) 

    My consultant just said do what you can, if it hurts a lot then rest.

     

  • andrea18043
    andrea18043 laura145

    Posted

    Hi, all I am new to this forum. I fractured my 5th metatarsal 2 weeks ago to the date exactly. I was not put in a cast hard or soft, although I am wearing a boot that is open-toed and the doctor, when he saw me about 8 days after the break, said I was doing well. I am 31 and in fairly good shape. I have an appointment in 2 weeks. I still have swelling around ankle and foot in general. and I am walking with a cane. 

    Any advice! Please! Greatly appreciated! 

    • christopherlrg
      christopherlrg andrea18043

      Posted

      My advise is please rest! Far too many people are too eager/impatient and do too much too soon. I was on my sofa for 8 weeks, with no weight bareing and i fully recovered a highly displaced brake without the need for surgery.
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