Broken fifth metatarsal left foot

[BarbaraB]

It is now 9 weeks since I thought I was on the bottom step at home - but wasn't. I am not due to see the consultant again until 21st June but we are due to fly to Italy on 25th June. 7 weeks after the fall the bone (it broke very close to the start of the little toe and was a displaced fracture) still had a gap where the bone had not healed across - I had an op to have 2 pins put in a week after the fall which were removed approx 4 weeks ago.
I am now in an air cast boot (calf high) and feel up to using only one crutch as I want to try and strengthen the muscles in my leg prior to our trip - it is a city holiday so a fair amount of walking. I am assuming/hoping the bone has healed by then.
If this doesn't cause me more than a modicum of pain in my foot should I continue?

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[physiobob]

Hi Barb. This sounds fair and I assume you are already on two crutches so your question relates to the progression to one? If yes then the crutch you should use is in the opposite hand to the injured foot. This is so you don't develop a limp. If in any doubt of course drop your consultant a line and ask the question. You don't need an appointment for the answer.

[BarbaraB]

Thanks Bob. Yes, want to go from 2 to 1 crutch. Unfortunateley my consultant has not yet responded to some questions (fairly general - but I've never broken a bone in my foot before so important to me) that his secretary passed to him 2 weeks ago. I assume he is very, very busy!

[Jean_Mi131]

Hi,

I'm new to all this. I see this group if for the 5th metatarsal breaks only....I guess I'm the lucky one. I've completely broken my 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal all on one injury. So the pain is quite nasty. It happened one week ago today. I'm keeping it elevated when i can and am getting around on crutches. Is this the best method of transportation or should I try something else? I'm getting married in a month and a half. Guess I won't be dancing much at all. Any advice would be awesome.

Thanks.

[BarbaraB]

Hello Jean

I hope you heal quicker than me. 11 weeks on Friday and as of yesterday the bone in my foot still hasn't knitted completely. Consultant has suggested a bone stimulator. Have just cancelled our trip to Verona!

[BarbaraB]

Me again
Has anyone used a bone stimulator? Was it of any use or can't you tell ? I am lucky enough to have health insurance via work but my insurance company refuses to approve one for my use at home as they classify it as external equipment.
I understand the time taken for a broken fifith metatarsal can be very variable. I'm up to 11 weeks on Friday and it still hasn't knitted properly.

Barbara

[BarbaraB]

After nearly 19 weeks my spiral fracture (it was the physio who described it as such - the consultant never mentioned spiral) has finally healed enough for me to stop wearing the boot and start trying to walk properly again. No need for the bone stimulator than goodness. Thanks to everyone who has replied to me over the past few months.

[physiobob]

Hi Barb, just a comment on the bone stimulator. These are used frequently and are very useful in accelerating healing, especially in a superficial bone. I saw your later thread so I am assuming that your consultant is happy now that the bone had healed enough to let you begin more weight bearing.On a side note my mother has had several foot operations and she used a cool kneeling scooter to get about on. You rest the injured leg on the scooter whose seat is at knee height and push about the place. This might be useful for the other post here. I'll try to find an image and if i can will add it to this thread.Or just type 'knee scooter' into google images and you'll see loads of them

[grannycat8]

I'm new to this site and have been reading about everyone in casts and boots and such. I broke the 5th metatarsal of my left foot 2 weeks ago. The emergency room put me in a temp cast until I could see an orthopedic doc. He simply put me in an after surgery shoe and told me to come back in 3 weeks for another xray. He didn't take any at the time, he only used the ones I picked up from the emergency room which were taken 3 days prior. It has a huge knot on the left side and the pain on the top and side of my foot is aweful. And it hurts all thru the ball of my foot. It seems he almost didn't do much from what I'm seeing here from everyone else. Would this be normal? should I maybe go somewhere else?

[Traceyjm]

Hi, I broke this bone 5 weeks ago and was offered a cast or no cast . I opted for no cast. I returned to the hospital this week, my foot is still swollen and the dr said should be ok in 3 weeks or so, but still very sore ... Any ideas what excercises I should be doing, what I shouldn't be doing?

[davisjone]

Hi, I broke this bone 5 weeks ago and was offered a cast or no cast . I opted for no cast. I returned to the hospital this week, my foot is still swollen and the dr said should be ok in 3 weeks or so, but still very sore ... Any ideas what excercises I should be doing, what I shouldn't be doing?

Physiotherapy treatment for fractured 5th metatarsal may comprise:

soft tissue massage
joint mobilization
electrotherapy (e.g. ultrasound)
ice or heat treatment
ankle taping or ankle bracing
the use of a protective boot
the use of crutches
exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance
hydrotherapy