5th Metatarsal Fracture Recovery

I fractured my fifth metatarsal (mid shaft, spiral break) back in December.  was due to have an op next Saturday to pin and plate as it has not showed any signs of healing and was still apart.  I was dreading it as my walking isn't bad now, altough can't do a 6 mile hike, and felt like I had been out on parole and was going back into prison. HOWEVER, went in for my pre op and my new and lovely specialist foot and ankle consultant wanted to re-x ray, just to ensure the op was necessary and it's showing signs of HEALING!  Only took 5 months, and I was only x rayed 2-3 weeks ago no signs.  So, op delayed, more x rays in 4 weeks hopefully showing more healing.  To be honest it's only over the past month that my walking has got appreciabley better (I was a fit walker and runner before the accident)  I can cycle for a little while, mostly on my trainer at home as it's more convenient and safer at the moment.

The consultant has no idea why it has taken so long, and why it is a delayed non union as he says mostly they do heal, although can take a little longer than some bones. 

All I can offer in the way of advice is BE PATIENT!  REST it at first then use it, but if it's painful REST again, and elevate, above heart or hip level.  Good luck everyone, and fingers crossed mine continues to heal as I could do without an op, more time off my feet, and off work!

Hi,

I fractured my 5th metatarsal bone about 6 weeks ago. I am in a cast and my fractured bone still pains. After reading all of your experience, I'm worried too. My problem is swelling on the leg. If I keep my leg down like sitting on a chair or that sort, I get swelling back. I wanted to know if you also experienced the swelling coming back after 5-6 weeks of fracture? Is it normal? I still can not put my leg down and fractured area pains sometime, is the pain and swelling normal?

 

I fractured mine two weeks ago, going back for follow up next week.

I've been using the boot & have been walking quite a bit (light duty at work) but I don't think my break is that bad (xray for comparison: http://i.imgur.com/f7nmMto.jpg )

I broke my right fifth metartsal, closed, on 3/21/15 by simply turning my foot walking downstairs. My foot swelled immediately. I did the R.I.C.E. method and hoped I just fractured or sprained my ankle. 2 days later my foot was numb and as big as a grapefruit! Still at this point I was unaware how bad it was since I'd never broke anything.

PCP took an X-ray on day 2 and sent me over to a sports orthopedic. The ortho spent 2 minutes with me and handed me a walking boot. Instructed- only take it off when I shower, I can begin to take it off when I sleep after 2 wks, and lastly told me he'd see me in 8 wks. I left there feeling in disarray. I couldn't believe how nonchalant he was! I turned straight to the internet and agonized for hours to find information. After doing research, I found that this break is much more serious than a 2 min doc visit. 10 days later I made an appt with a specialist, a foot and ankle ortho. This is the 1st advice I would give to anyone experiencing this! He took an X-ray and it showed no change. He explained this was a good sign. This type of break takes a full 8 wks to heal. The most important thing is to make sure it doesn't shift. Told me to keep resting, can take boot off to shower, walk while in boot only and listen to my foot if I've done too much and need to sit down. He also gave me the option to go forth with surgery, but explained because I'm young (30 years), non smoker, and not diabetic I had a good chance of it healing without surgery.

At the 5 week check up I was anxious to see a new X-ray. Sadly, it showed nothing! He explained again that this was a good thing. He told me to keep doing what I've been doing and take vitamin D to boost bone growth. I began to take One a Day vitamins along with an extra dose of calcium and vitamin D in the evening. I also began to make sure to eat a decent amount of protein every day. Also, wanted to note that I was experiencing that bubbly feeling under the arch of my foot at this point too as others have mentioned in this thread. Very weird feeling! Doc seemed to not be concerned abt it though.

Now at week 9, my ortho appt is this Thursday and I couldn't be more anxious than before to go! At last appt, he seemed pretty promising that I should be healed at this point. I'm not sure what to expect after all this though. Other than to still take it easy for a while. He's only assured me that I won't need physical therapy. I will share my hope-to-be good news on Thursday! This forum has helped me greatly through this process. It's been a long and lonely road at times, so reading everyone's stories has been immensely uplifting!

Hi Laura,

Hope recovery is going well for you. I too, have a 5th met. brake from falling down the stairs in the night. Fortunately I was near the bottom when my foot twisted as I over stepped the step. This happened two weeks ago and since then and for the next four weeks I am wearing the inflating cast boot. Have been told to continue as normal but wear the boot. Nothing was said about weight bearing or resting and was not given crutches. I am finding the boot awkward and clumsy, sometimes I use a walking stick for extra balance. Pain is minimal except from ankle area.

It has been interesting reading everyones experiences with this brake and when you are not given very much medical information at the beginning, it helps and makes you feel normal but hindered!

Laura, you seem to be the most experienced with this ailment so I wish you a speedy recovery with your feet and take care.

 

I have had a jones fracture... going on week 4. I just had a second set of follow up xrays. They looked identical to me, but the ortho said he saw signs of it healing and was optomistic that continuing to wear the boot for another 3 weeks would be sufficient for it to heal.

I was surprised, as 6 weeks seems really optomistic for this type of fracture, so I guess I'll have to see what happens at the end of June.

It's still painful and still bruised/swollen. Who knows.

Hi - just an update

Hospital today after 4 weeks in the cast with displaced mid shaft oblique fracture. Had X-ray however Dr said he didn't see any improvement yet however this could be due to the fact I had the X-ray with the cast on. Dr had cast removed and had a feel and a prod and asked me if I felt any pain. I didnt so he said to wear a fixed boot and to begin to partial weight bare with crutches still, through the heel and gradually increase (depending on pain) building up to weight baring fully in about 2/3 weeks and to go back the hospital in 4 weeks.

I was initially made up to have the cast removed and fixed boot put on as I can take it off to have a bath! But now I've started to worry that if there was no sign of healing could I make the break worse by starting to partial weight bare?? The nurse who fitted the boot informed me that there would be some form of 'sticky substance' formed and that the bone would not further displace and that the boot would support my foot and keep it immobilised.

Can't help but worry that I'll make it worse. Fixed boot feels a bit weird too like my heel isn't properly fitted into the back of the boot - like it slips out?

Hi Laura

I broke my 5th metatarsal base 3 wks ago on holiday in Marbella ( 1st day ) 😕

The Doctor at the hospital recommended a back slab cast and not to weightbear for 3 wks.

Being an ex nurse I knew the treatment would have been different back home, ( Weightbear immediately as much as pain would allow and a boot not cast )

The hospital dont provide crutches and I found it very difficult to transfer or to steady myself until my husband eventually found a farmacia that sold them !

On return home my G.P sent me to small injury clinic where they removed cast and put a boot on and told me I should have tried to weightbear from the onset. What a relief to be out of the cast and at last I could shower ☺

I am now walking with my foot flat on floor (3rd wk

With minimal discomfort. I have tried different types of footwear but have invested in a pair of skechers as they have memory inners and soo comfortable.

We are away on holiday today for 2 wks, hopefully won't break anything 😕 and I am going to make full use of the villas pool to exercise as this is probably the best way to exercise without putting pressure on my foot. Usually go to gym but far too early to start pounding the treadmill. Patience is key. I hope your recovery goes well Laura, I realise i have been soo lucky with mine after reading all comments on this forum.

I broke my metetatorsal in 3 places and tore a ligament and it's been 4 weeks, when should I be able to start walking...

Hi, I broke my 5th metatarsal about 9 weeks ago. I had to have a screw inserted because the break was right near the tenor and the bone would not have healed. My orth told me that the bone had healed nicely and I could play sports again.

I play ice hockey and an 46 years old, what I would like to know is, since I have started ice hockeyI get a sharp pain that runs along the bone for a split second and my foot is still swollen around the ankle and op area. Is anyone still getting swelling after 9 weeks?