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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

    REST REST REST for 5-6 weeks and THEN gradual weight bear.  Please do NOT try to weight bear too much too early.  I am in my 6th month with this fracture and am now non union....doc says I am just one fo the unlucky people who haven't healed.  Don't smoke, not over weight, fit and healthy.  Facing surgery now :-( though it IS better than it was but driving me nuts cos I can't go running like I used to
  • emma81473
    emma81473 laura145

    Posted

    Re the bone stimulator, I am in the UK...did enquire several times but hospital at first said they didn't do that, and then I got in touch with Exogen, and they said they DID supply my hospital, then it turns out that it;s too expensive and they rarely use it...only if a patient can't be operated on!  So, that's our lovely National Health for you...it may be free but you don't always get the treatment.  In addition turns out I wan't even seeing a foot and ankle specialist for quite a whilet, apparently you get who you get at fracture clinic, and its not until I started kicking up a fuss about the bone stimulator at month 3/4 that they told me they would refer to me to the foot and ankel specialist.Which they should have done in the first place as I don't have brilliant circulation and did wonder if it wold heal much...and id tell them this from the start.  It's too late now any way, though am going to enquire about shock wave therapy but at £2000 and only 70% chance of success don't know if will go ahead.  Got pain in my big toe now too, prob the way I am walking...am just a mess!!
    • susan69134
      susan69134 emma81473

      Posted

      Hopefully you'll get sorted now, I can't complain about my treatment in the NHS, ankle fracture was diagnosed in A&E, additional 5th metatarsal fracture was picked up by consultant next day. Following week was seen in fracture clinic by general Dr, who noticing the 5th metatarsal fracture had spread, went and got the consultant to look at it, he in turn wanted a surgeon to see it so went back after the weekend. Surgeon confirmed I'd need a screw inserted and they rushed to get it sorted that week. A bone stimulator is available at the hospital I've been going to, my mother in law has a broken collar bone, and as she's 95 and has osteoporosis they've already put her on the list if there's no sign of it healing after 6 weeks.
  • Blueshell
    Blueshell laura145

    Posted

    I'm so confused as to whether weight bare or not? Missed the bottom stair a week ago - heard a crack and went A&E. X-ray showed displaced fracture on 5th - think it's on the shaft. I think it's spiral as it goes along the bone.

    Fracture clinic today and consultant stated he was confident the fracture would heal without surgery as the displacement wasn't too wide? He's put me in a cast for four weeks then mentioned a boot for two weeks then back to normal shoes.

    He's supplied like a rubber sole for the bottom of the cast but said to only weight bare on my heel? I've tried this and it still seems to pull on the rest of my foot. So I'm thinking looking at other responses to just non weight bare at all until I go back for X-ray in 3 weeks?

    I feel better reading other people's experience of displaced fractures without surgery and fractures have still healed. I'm just worried I'll go weeks and then still have to resort to surgery!

    • christopherlrg
      christopherlrg Blueshell

      Posted

      In reality, you need to be off your foot as much as possible. He told you to weightbare on your heel so im guessing u wernt given crutches. Untill you are given a walking boot you should keep your foot elevated. Sleep a lot, eat well and stay sat still. Only walk when u truly need to. Bathroom etc. and try put all your weight on the heel. If you are worried, then hop on your good foot. I got very good at hopping!! You shouldnt weightbare fully for a good few weeks. But the walking boot is designed to take to weight off the injury and immobilize the ankle so you can walk normally in it without doing damage.

      So while you are in plaster cast. Stay rested. Dont weightbare unless essential. And relax!

    • Blueshell
      Blueshell christopherlrg

      Posted

      Sorry yes I've got crutches but putting heel down is still uncomfortable so I'm just gonna keep off it like you say 😀 I don't want to be like this for a minute longer than I have to!

      Keeping off it is hard though with a toddler and a hubby who works afternoons.

      Thanks

    • susan69134
      susan69134 Blueshell

      Posted

      Oh you poor thing, I normally look after my Grandchildren whilst daughter works, but thankfully I "chose" to fracture my ankle and 5th Metatarsal whilst both daughters were on maternity leave. I'm on week 14, doing well with the physio, still need to use both crutches but I'm to loose the boot over the next two weeks. Even now I have to rest and keep the foot elevated when it swells up. I think you'd be wise to use the foot as little as possible, though it must be hard with a toddler around.
    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 Blueshell

      Posted

      Hi Blueshell, I feel I have to comment about surgery because so many people are hoping to avoid it. I am a 3-week survivor of surgery and I think I can honestly say that I am better off for having it. But in my case, I did walk around on my foot for over 2 weeks before following up with my doctor and the second xray showed more damage because of my misbehavior. But, the surgery did re-align everything. I do have some hardware and a couple of pins that will be removed in another two weeks. The real key to healing is total non-weight-bearing and knowing you will be in that state for (ouch) 3 to 6 weeks. I have had no swelling and my doctor repeatedly is amazed by that. He said swelling is a sign that someone is on their foot too much or not elevated enough. But I learned my lesson. Also, I got a clunker of a boot from our medical supply store and it caused my foot to hurt in other places like your movement with your cast, so I ordered an air boot online that is lighter and provides more impact control and better natural movement for when I can walk with weight-bearing and a boot. If you keep reading Blue, I think you will see the consensus is elevated foot and total non-weight bearing. My doctor did say my foot would have healed without surgery if I would have used a boot right away,  and elevated my foot and rested for a few weeks after the fracture.
    • Blueshell
      Blueshell elizabeth56745

      Posted

      Thanks Elizabeth - I've kept off my feet as much as possible - I noticed the other day (I went the shop) that my foot swelled loads so took that as a warning to stay off the foot! Gives me hope that you would of avoided surgery if you'd gone the hospital straight away as my foot has been casted since I broke it so fingers crossed I've avoided it - thanks
  • kristen78313
    kristen78313 laura145

    Posted

    Hello all. I broke my left 5th metatarsal back on January 9th. I was given the option of surgery or a walking boot for 11 weeks. I chose the walking boot. It didn't heal so on April 2nd I had surgery. I now have a 2" screw in my foot. I was in a hard cast for a month and non weight bearing. On April 30th I received a new walking boot and started PT the next week. Today 5/21/15 marks seven weeks since my surgery and week three of PT. I have noticed that my foot stays swollen all of the time. It is generally the worst when I get home at the end of the day. I am walking without crutches during the day and no boot or crutches at home.

    Is it still supposed to be this swollen seven weeks post surgery?

    Thank you.

    • susan69134
      susan69134 kristen78313

      Posted

      I'm twelve weeks post surgery, mine swells as soon as I'm upright, still using crutches but boot only outside and then only for longer walks (I did fracture my ankle as well) physiotherapist told me I can expect it to swell for months yet, and a year is quite normal.
    • Stookay
      Stookay susan69134

      Posted

      Thank you for answering the question regarding swelling. I am 7 weeks post fracture and I am walking with a shoe that has a stiff sole. I still have trouble walking on the ball of my foot and I have a limp but I manage to get around well. I do however notice that as soon as I stand my foot swells.
    • roger12637
      roger12637 Stookay

      Posted

      I took the boot off yesterday, after 6 weeks. My right calf muscle has dwindled so bad haha it looks funny. My intuition is that walking barefoot should be the best physiotherapy. I guess that the same thing that happened to my calf muscle, has happened to the stabilising muscle in the foot
    • susan69134
      susan69134 roger12637

      Posted

      I've been told not to walk bare foot, though that could be because I broke my ankle as well. Was advised to wear hi tops as lacing and ankle straps offer better support, so started with them today, still have to use both crutches but only need the boot for walking very long distances.
    • elizabeth56745
      elizabeth56745 kristen78313

      Posted

      Hi Kristen, my doctor would say that seven weeks is still fresh after foot surgery. I'm just three weeks post-surgery but he gave me my sentence at my last appointment and what I can expect. I am encouraged that you are moving around so much on week seven. A couple of things I have done is I got a kneel scooter. It is liberating  Although I am nwb now, I can see using this when restrictions are lifted to tolerated for more prolonged walking like at a grocery store or if I am out and about and can feel my foot acting up. I also went online and got an airboot that is lighter and more impact absorbant than the clunker I got at the medical supply store. I got these online too. My insurance doesn't cover them when I buy them online, but I decided to pay for better state-of-the-art equipment. And they are not that expensive.
    • kristen78313
      kristen78313 elizabeth56745

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth56745.

      I was non weight bearing for a month and in a hard cast. I used the knee scooter during that time. I got the cast off April 30th and got my walking boot. I was using crutches for a couple of weeks after that. My physical therapy is what is helping me walk in the house without the boot and crutches and walk outside with just the boot. Just make sure at the end of the day to elevate your foot. Also if you can I would say start doing toe curls/crunches. Where you bend your toes and then straighten them out.

      Thanks for the seven week time frame. I was told it can last up to a year.

      I go back to the doctor June 10th hopefully I do not have regression like Kevin Durant (basketball player) did.

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