I broke my 5th metatarsal (non displaced) I'm on day two of the break and in excruciating pain

Hi Lindsay, the pain will go away over the next two weeks gradually. You can help the fracture heal faster by making sure you have all the nutrients meeded for recover. Just google how to speed fracture healing. Most doctors will just say 'eat healthy' but I find it helpful to be self reliant and do your own research. I used vitamin D, C and B complex, lots of protein, green leafy vegetables, minerals such as calcium magnesium and zinc, and some other things. Did you know that a broken bone can become stronger after healing? just keep a positive attitude, and take it as a challenge of getting better..I ordered a pair of vibram fivefingers while I'm in air boot just because I can't wait to feel the ground again. 

Feel free to ask anything

Sorry to hear you've suffered this Lindsay (i have exactly the same diagnosis). However, echoing Roger's comments there is plenty you can do to help yourself and recover well. Firstly, do as your doctor says which is hopefully something like rest, take pain relief as appropriate, apply ice when necessary, don't rush things and rest, rest rest! I'm a runner with several marathons under my belt and exactly 9 weeks since my injury i managed a very slow, half-mile jog (under doctor's advice) at the weekend. It felt as good as running any of my marathons! I do feel soreness, but was told to expect this and i know i won't be running anything like normally for several more weeks. I eat relatively healthily anyway, still enjoyed the odd beer/wine, and the only additions i added to doctor's orders were calcium supplements (no idea if this is any help but i felt it couldn't do any harm). Keep your chin up and hope you have a good recovery. Chris.

I do not believe that a "walking boot" is of any value in this injury. Your own shoes, chosen to fit your foot in the best possible way, will work well (or much better).

There can be no surprise that you have pain, not only from the broken bone but from the associated soft tissues which are invariably injured as well.

It might be worth assessing your bone density (to eliminate osteoporotic type conditions)

If fracture healing could be "speeded up", we would all know that already.

Hi lindsay, I'm so sorry that you are so fresh in your break. You are doing what we all did - looking for answers on what the near future looks like and when we will start feeling more comfortable. Because non-weight-bearing is essential for me and I am busy, I had to bite the bullet for the first two weeks and just get up from my recliner for essentials. It is a time to let others wait on you. Once I did that, i could feel my foot healing. Then I  got a kneel scooter with a basket. That liberated me. I can now go places with ease and carry a travel cup of coffee. I have traded the cluncker boot the medical supply company provided, for an air boot online that is lighter, aborbs more and feels more natural when I walk - or as natuaral as an ortho boot can feel. Unfortunately, it takes time for your foot to heal, but you can find accomodations like I did to help compensate and make life a little easier for the duration. Good luck and I hope the pain has begun to lift. Mine was gone in about 8 days.

Hi Lindsay

I am in my 8th week with 5 fractures in my 3rd, 4th and 5th metatarsals. All you can do the first few days is keep it raised above your heart level as much as possible, ice every couple of hours if you can and rest.

They will have given you pain killers as well which you must take as there is no need to be in constant pain. Also make sure you eat healthy food

Being on crutches plays havoc on your shoulders and hands. I bought cycle gloves and cut up shoe inners to give extra padding as was getting callouses on my hands.

I was still going to work after 10 days but shorter hours and only when I could sit and elevate my leg. Getting around London has been a challenge.

I am also having a massage each week as all my muscles were knotting up - that has been great.

Keep your leg raised on pillows at night

I go back in a week to have the plaster off and an X-ray so hope to move to a boot and no crutches - I am so 'done' with crutches.

On the positive side people have been great and everyone tries to help when shopping or on public transport

Good luck