Displaced Fracture 5th Metatarsal - 5 weeks in

[BarbaraB]

OK 8th April thought I was on the bottom step of our stairs when I wasn't. Ended up with displaced fracture of my 5th metatarsal on my left foot. A week later had 2 pins put in and cast up to my knee. Week later fell backwards onto the edge of a coffee table and ended up with badly bruised ribs and a ricked neck. This hasn't helped my recovery!
Last Thursday (5 weeks after the original accident) had the pins removed and given a shoe to wear with velcro straps , with instructions to use crutches and put weight on my left heel.
As I have been using crutches , keeping my foot raised and not putting weight on my left foot at all, it seems as if my left foot now seems shorter than my right. Have I twisted my hips to compensate for my right leg doing all the work? Are there any exercises I can do to help with this.
When I do put my left heel 'properly' on the ground , there is a sharp pain in my heel. Is this to be expected?
Many thanks

Thanks for this Ross,
The pain is easing . Haven't been referred officially to the physio yet but I went yesterday as I was concerned and like you she said all was not as bad as I thought. However she did show me how my hips should be and gave me an exercise where I hold onto a kitchen worktop with my left hand and use that and my right crutch to steady myself whilst my partner gently moves my hips into the right position. She did try this with me holding onto both crutches but I felt as if I was about to fall over. She also showed me how to use the crutches properly and relax my shoulders - basic stuff but very important ! Also strict instructions to put my left heel down always when using the crutches - I have tended to chicken out of that. I have a follow up with the consultant next Friday.
Can I ask , when you say 'gripping exercises and running your foot over different surfaces, pillows, towels etc ' do you mean just puttimg these under my foot and moving my foot backwards and forwards? Also what is 'plantar fasciitis?'
Barbara

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[yowsy123]

Hi BarbaraB,

Sounds like youve not been having a great time of late! Your probably correct and due to the partial weight bearing the leg length discrepancy will be coming from the over compensation. I wouldnt worry about this too much, as you start to put more weight through your left leg again this will probably sort itself. I would even consider massage just to loosten up the tighter muscles around your lower back and hip just now.

As for your foot, it is probably due the combination of surgey, pins and cast. The pain receptors in your foot will be firing on all cylinders due to the alien of the pin being put in your foot. As you begin to be allowed to do more (not sure exactly what stage your at, have you been referred to physio, do you have a follow up appointment with the surgeon etc?) the movement of your foot will settle this in particular gripping exercises. For now, and as I dont know the exact stage of rehab your at, just running your foot over different surfaces, pillows, towels etc will help send signals to your brain to tell you this feels normal and settle the pain. There may even be an element of plantar fasciitis due to the trauma and immobilisation of the cast. Is it worse first thing in the morning and does it settle?

Food for thought, nothing major to worry about and hope it was of some help.

Ross