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Broken foot-no crutches cause for concern?

Posted , 8 users are following.

leslier92
leslier92

Hi! A few days ago I broke my fifth metatarsal and went to a podiatrist who wrapped my foot (cast?) and gave me a removable boot. I've been instructed that I can walk on it as long as I'm wearing the boot. My only concern is that I wasn't given crutches and usually in this situation people are given crutches, right? I'm not in a ton of pain and walking on it just causes discomfort and fatigue but not pain. Should I inquire about getting crutches, or just trust that walking on it is okay?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • kerry05707
    kerry05707 leslier92

    Posted

    hi

    i broke my fifth metatarsal back in november. I was put in a cast and given crutches for 4 weeks and then put in an airboot. I was told to walk in boot without crutches. Unfortunately mine still has not healed and i have been given a bone therapy machine today to help. Good luck i hope you heal quicker than i have!

  • donald84133
    donald84133 leslier92

    Posted

    You must ask yourself the question--am I putting myself in danger without crutches? Is your balance not good?You could possibly take a fall and seriously injure yourself.

    If you answer "YES" to any of those questions, then call the office and ask for crutches.

    Sometimes, doctors leave the ordering of orthopedic equipment to an assistant who works with the doctor. It may be that the ordering of crutches for you may have slipped through the cracks.

  • kelly55079
    kelly55079 leslier92

    Posted

    I would call your Doctor to double check.. But my understanding is either the boot or crutches is needed. My friend had a bad sprain so she used crutches to stay off her foot until she bought the boot.

  • devsmom
    devsmom leslier92

    Posted

    Things change over time but what you describe is not the care I received when I broke my 5th metatarsal. I was in a non weight bearing cast from my toes to my knee and used a knee scooter for 4 weeks then another 4 weeks in a toe to knee hard plastic air boot. I was to wear it 24/7 . Yep even to bed so that I wouldn't even think about getting up to go to the bathroom without the boot. When I was to try to put weight on my foot without the boot I was to use a 4 wheeled walker and gradually was to walk without the walker support. I went to a Orthopedic Specialist an not a podiatrist. Good luck with your total healing.

  • nelly07936
    nelly07936 leslier92

    Posted

    hi there, i worked for a foot surgeon for 4 years and usually the boot is all you need we saw cases like these all the time, by no means am I a Dr but in my experience the boot protects you, hope this helped 😃

  • ashley1017
    ashley1017 leslier92

    Posted

    i am day 9 of a 5th metatarsal fracture and i am walking since day 7 in a surgucal shoe! can you update us on your recovery?

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