5th Metatarsal mid shaft closed non displaced fracture
Posted , 6 users are following.
Appreciate any response on this. On Friday 25 June 2016, I had a fall where I landed on the side of my left foot. Although the pain was not excrutiating while at rest, walking became so painful that on Tuesday I did go to the hospital where an z-ray revealed a closed non displaced fracture. I got an aircast and crutches. I am primarily at home resting and the swelling is steadily decreasing. The pain is non existent as long as I rest, negligible while walking with the aircast, and a little more when I walk without. If I walk without the aircast, I place my entire weight on the right side of my foot. The dr has advised an xray in three weeks and says healing is possible between 3-4 weeks. My questions are as follows:
1) is this realistic that in 3 weeks, I will be out of the aircast and in trainers? I don't intend to walk much.
2) how can hasten recovery?
Although I intend to rest a lot, I travel A LOT for work and I am also moving countries in the middle of all this -- at the moment, I am taking 3 weeks off work. But would be great if I can realistically get back to work in 3 weeks.
0 likes, 15 replies
fran30119 bookish2012
Posted
It depends where your fracture is on the metatarsal. If it is very close or on a joint then the recovery time is quite quick. However, if you have broken it well down the bone (2 or 3 cm from the bottom joint of the toe) then it is a different kettle of fish. I broke mine on November 30 last year and my doctor has been pleased with the healing given the poor blood supply to the bone away from the joint. I was not able to wear a regular shoe for at least 3 or 4 months but this would not have precluded travel, It depends what work you do. I didn't miss any work but I had the advantage of my own office and, if I needed to be somewhere else on site I drove rather than walked.
Walking is a big part of my life as I live in a beautiful part of the world but I am limited to about 4km at a time and my foot still gives me curry sometimes - I then know that I have to shorten my walks for a while. My orthopod has told me not to go on multi day walks any more for fear of re breaking the bone. This may depend on your age. I am 66 and have had stress fractures (didn't know at the time) periodically and one of those just gave way one day. I have had great success with custom made orthotics to stabilise the foot.
Good luck and I really hope that you are able to get back to normal quickly. There is no way to hasten recovery - rest the foot as the bone has to knit in its own time. I got very frustrated and painted my living room. This was not a good idea and is possibly why I still have some problems. Get lots of good books is all I can say.
All the best
catherine_19686 bookish2012
Posted
I broke 5 metatarsal 11 weeks ago I was told then it would take 6 to 12 weeks to heal. I only started weight bearing last Monday. I still wear aircast boot hope to take it off next week and try walking in shoes with cruches. Age and bone health makes a difference. Do everything you are told and don't rush it .best of luck with your move
bailyBoo02511 bookish2012
Posted
I would listen to your Dr .I know for me I keep my foot elevated and rest a lot the first 2 week my foot didn't touch the floor for 3 week in my boot .I hope you are feeling better and wishing you the best .
Hugs Baily
bookish2012
Posted
Hi I went to the doctor again today. My fracture was in Ivory Coast. My first doctor's apointment was in Turkey. Today my appointment was in India. Amazing!
Anyway, he told me that I needed to wear the air cast for four weeks. After that I could wear my own comfortable shoes for four weeks. I only need another x-ray at the 8th week point. I can start exercising after 12 weeks.
bailyBoo02511 bookish2012
Posted
Wonderful news !!!! gee you sure do get around .
Wish you many blessing in your life.
Hugs Baily
bookish2012 bailyBoo02511
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catherine_19686 bookish2012
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Delighted to hear your good news keep following the Dr.advice you are getting off easy I am at week 12 and still have air cast boot on hope to get it off on Monday and start wearing shoes you sound like you have a great time and see plenty of the world
Best of luck for the future Catherine
bailyBoo02511 catherine_19686
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Glad to see you will go into walking shoes .GREAT NEWS!!!!!
Sending u a big old hug
Baily
bookish2012
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baily24366 bookish2012
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baily24366
Posted
Bailey
sandi27417 bookish2012
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baily24366 sandi27417
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Sorry to hear you need surgery but happy you will get better and can get back to your horse and other activities best of luck .Bailey,
catherine_19686 sandi27417
Posted
Delighted to hear your news hope op.goes well I broke mine in April and I am out walking with a cruche. But I am happy with my progress was told at beginning a chance it wouldn't heal let us know how you get onhope all is good I am 62 year's.
sandi27417 catherine_19686
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