Fifth Metatarsal fracture

Maddy - I am a dance instructor and studio owner.  You need to take the time to heal.  If you don't you will always have problems with that foot.  I speak from personal experience.  Take the time.  You can cross-train and when allowed to you can swim.  Don't risk a career.  Take the time needed for the bone to knit together. 

Many people have told me that it is best to stay off the foot as much as possible.  Find a way to exercise that does not put weight on your foot- upper body exercises, etc.   so that your blood is still circulating.  Research supplements too.  I read turmeric helps with inflammation and healing  so I take the supplements. Since I have been on them I have not gotten sick - all winter- so I feel they’re doing something!    Also vitamin D3 and calcium are important for healing. Research to take the proper amount.   To stay off your foot try using a knee scooter. I got my second hand.    Maybe visit a physical therapist and also see what they recommend because they gave me many recommendations that my doctor did not.  Sorry to hear about this interrupting your dancing ;(. Prayers for quick healing!! 

Yes!, I am afraid your fracture will not heal if you continue to use that foot. You are literally separating the bones that may be trying to heal. I would say you will be off dancing at least 3 months. I am an older horse rider and it is so difficult to be non weight bearing. I am surprised a doctor told you to walk in a boot.

The treatment is usually Non weight bearing for 6-8 weeks.

So so sorry. It is the classic dancer’s

Fracture although mine was a stress fracture.  Take care of that foot and keep it elevated when you can. Swelling is not good!!

I also bad a knee scooter and a bone stimulator which my doctor got my ins company to pay for. Your feet are important so stay off that foot and keep it elevated. It is difficult but not fatal!! 

Fifth metatarsals can apparently be tricky to heal depending on the exact place you broke it in, so you don't want to do anything that'll slow it down otherwise you could end up being out of action for even longer! Absolutely do not try and stand/walk on your broken foot without the boot on until the doctors say you can, and you'll still want to avoid putting much weight on it. I was told by the orthopedic doctor to use crutches for at least the first 2-3 weeks and then slowly ease into walking with the boot as pain allows (I broke my foot 4 and a half weeks ago and I'm only just starting to try walking with crutches these past few days because I'm scared of doing more damage!). If you haven't had pins surgically put in your foot to hold the bones in place (I didn't either) there's a risk they could slip out of line and heal deformed, or stop trying to heal due to too much movement between the bone fragments. 

Broken feet are the worst - I know it sucks not being able to do your normal activities for so long. I've mostly been sitting around bored at home because it's so exhausting trying to go anywhere on crutches. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Hi Maddy - so sorry about your accident - I have a dancer with the same injury - stupid jete attitude that she has done for over seven years - a bad landing - more a bad "step out". She is in week five at the moment. The first four weeks were in the boot - she was allowed with or without crutches - she did crutches for the first few days and hated them. The first part of her fracture (closest to heel) was healing nicely but the top near her pinky toe wasn't what the OS was hoping for. He took her out of the boot and put her in shoes (NO DANCING just WALKING) and we now have a bone stimulator. She is anxious to find out if she can compete on April 13th - but we know there is a possibility that won't be the case. DO NOT use ADVIL!!  Use Aleve or Tylenol for pain. Ibuprofen is bad for bone growth. Take extra calcium - do extreme hot to extreme cold - supposedly that helps too. But most of all follow doctor's orders and rest your foot. If you have insurance ask about a BONE STIMULATOR

 

Okay this may make you feel better.... daughter was in boot for four weeks ..... then she was able to “walk only” out of boot for three weeks - she had bone stimulator as well / she did feet and toe exercises - push ups (on knees) sit ups and stretching - at the end of the three weeks she has been given the green light to try dancing - if it hurts she is to stop and try again in few days. So basically 7 weeks of no dancing - she is fourteen and in great shape