What is the recovery of swelling after a fracture?

[ladyleg]

I fractured my metatarsal and tore some ligaments end of Feb, have had doctors at hospital private doctor and physio. Still the swelling, can't get good shoes on and need to do my work, how long will it take for the foot to be normal without swelling?

Similar Threads:

• Recovery from 5th Metatarsal fracture
• Recovery from a femur fracture
• Help! Recovery from fracture
• swelling after putting plaster for hand fracture
• post fracture swelling and pain

[physiobob]

The swelling is more from the ankle ligament and soft tissue trauma. It may well swell for several months and aroubd the actual ankle it may always swell relative to the other side. Swelling is also caused from the reduced activity as the body relies on the muscle pump of the calf and foot muscles to push it back out from the extremity. This means until youbare walking as per normal it will swell (just like peoples extemities swelling on a long plane or bus ride). Patience is all you need as swelling in of itself is no means for concern.

[ladyleg]

Thankyou for the confindence that it will heal, I need to put shoes on to do my work!....I guess I treat my foot too carefully afraid of hurting it again. So the more I walk the better it might be? Most appreciated.

[Physio4home]

Dear Ladyleg,
I do hope your foot is getting better, but I would say that you could do more than just be patient at the moment. Excess swelling particularly in the lower legs can lead to problems further down the line, so I would advise that you go to see a Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) therapist who will be able to assess the extent of the swelling and treat it using MLD. This is a very gentle massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to improve drainage of excess fluid in a body part. It is very effective during all stages of injury, and particularly effective for any chronic swelling.
Another really effective technique to reduce swelling is the use of Kinesio Taping, applied with a lymphatic correction method.
If you can find a lymphoedema therapist in your area, they should be able to help you.
Good Luck!

[ladyleg]

Thankyou for the advice I will ask my doctor tomorrow, what are the problems that could occur down the track? Are you a Physio or a Doctor?