5th Metatarsal Mid Shaft Fracture Not Healing
It has been just over 5 weeks since I flailed off of my ottoman, fighting a cockroach, and landed on the side of my foot. I do not have health insurance and was first trying not to spend the money, if not needed, on a specialist. I was given a boot and have been in it consistently for 4 weeks. Now, I am getting a little bit worried after a couple of X-rays and, also, the fact that it is not showing healing. It is displaced, with an offset of 4mm on the top view and 8mm on the side view and there is some splintering within (according to radiology notes from the hospital).
I just recently went to a highly recommended Orthopedic doctor and after looking at the two X-rays I had previously, and taking a new one in office, says that he does not recommend surgery. He did explain that I may be looking at 3 more months of healing but that it would heal on it's own. I can understand the fact that it has been 5 weeks and that opting for surgery now would be a huge step backwards in the muscle and tissue healing that has inevitably taken place.
My concern is: I am a runner. This bone, to me, looks terrifying and to think it will stay that way forever and only fill in where it is positioned now seems it will only give me problems in the future. I don't know if I should bypass his recommendation and opt for surgery to have the bone set in the correct alignment and know that I will not have future problems or just let it to what it's going to do. I do know that nothing is 100% and even surgery can mean a long healing process. I guess I am hoping for more opinions on the matter, so please help, if you can.
5th Metatarsal Mid Shaft Fracture Healing Experience
I broke my 5th metatarsal on 16 December, it is now 23 February. Someone came down on it very heavily in high heels and broke it, spiral fracture, slightly displaced. I didn't realise it was broken at first, just thought it was swollen and bruised...and boy was it bruised! Never seen anything like it! Anyway, did the usual, rest, elevation, compression and ice and kept hobbling about, using the opposite side of my foot to hobble round the house...after all it was Christmas and I didn't have time to rest! Luckily could stay pretty much in the house so didn't do massive amount of walking...and couldn't get a shoe on anyway! Did mention it to a locum doctor on 23 Dec, but had gone about something else, and he dismissed it without looking at it, just telling me to RICE it..which I already was.
After a day or so, bruising still horrendous, I decided to see my usual doctor who referred me immediately to get it x-rayed. This was on 28 Dec..and the fracture showed up to my shock. X ray technician mentioned going straight to A and E but then said all they would do is make me an appointment at the fracture clinic, which I may as well get from my doctor, when the information about my fracture had got to my doctor (and no, I couldn't have the letter to hand in, it had to go by snail /Royal Mail) I had started by now to use crutches...no weight bearing on bad foot at all.
A week later, as soon as I could (bank holidays delayed information getting to doctor and hence consultation) I saw my doctor who phoned the hospital after reading the letter to make me an urgent appointment with the consultant for the following Monday (this was Friday)
I went and saw him and to my shock he was very, to me , pessimistic and not a little rushed. Told me it was a nasty fracture, difficult to heal, and I might very likely end up having two operations, one to put pins and plates in and one to take them out. Oh..and the plate would stick out of my (slim) foot and there was a high risk of infection etc as we were operating on bone. However, he told me I could still go to work, drive (this was my clutch foot) as long as it wasn't for long (work is 10 minutes drive away) and elevated and rested foot at every opportunity....and it might be an idea if I used crutches and didn't put weight on it BUT he didn't put it in an air boot or cast. (which concerned me a little)
This I did, but no real improvement, in fact it got worse, swelling up, pins and needles in toes and very sore and swollen behind toes, on ball of foot. Went back again to hospital, saw a different doctor, who told me I should be off work, not driving, moving as little as possible and keeping foot above heart level. For at least a MONTH!
So...I have done that. Googled the injury to death, scaring myself and becoming depressed over what I have read. Rested completely, didn't put any weight on it , crawled and used a pair of crutches at all times, slept with it elevated, sat with it elevated, compression bandage at times, rubbed comfrey oil on it twice a day , used epsom salt baths (used to lose the circulation and it also helped a little with swelling), tried to keep my leg muscled with scissor action exercise etc Wore hiking/timberland boots (still doing this) It was still sore and swollen however behind the toes, so much so I wondered if there was other damage, but have now realised this was a result of not using my foot on the floor at all.
NOW....9 weeks from when I first injured it, I have been told this week I can put a little weight on it and start to walk, even though the bone hasn't joined up AT ALL, no callus etc on the x-ray the consultant reckons there is fibre etc holding it and I am now ready to walk on it. (I was prepared for there to be no sign of healing ..research on internet again!) It isn't sore to touch although aches a little (almost a burn) now I am walking on it..but I have read this can be a sign of healing.
I am walking about with either one or no crutches,taking it very slowly, but I cannot believe I am actually walking on it, I can stand on both feet in the shower etc.....I NEVER thought this would be the case after only 8 - 9 weeks after all I had read on the internet...and those weeks felt interminable! I have broken bones in my foot before but have never been as disabled with it as with the 5th metatarsal break, and never felt so depressed over an injury after googling it all. So, I didn't have an air boot, nor a cast, which seems to have worked for me, although it was very hard work getting about on crutches or crawling (calloused knees now!) and mentally , although I kept reminding myself it wasn't a life threatening condition, it still got me down at times as there didn't seem to be any improvement.
In my experience, yes it has taken a long time to get better...and I am still not there by any means...haven't walked out of the house yet...but I feel I AM on the road to recovery, which is the main thing. I won't be running (which I do) for quite a while I think, not doing a lot of long distance walking but at least I am getting better. After reading such a lot of depressing and pessimistic posts on this injury I felt I had to post a more optimistic one..and I hope at least some of you out there have just as good a recovery if you have fractured your 5th metatarsal.
Foot / Ankle :: Non-weight Bearing (NWB) To Partial Weight Bearing (PWB) - Pain
After being NWB for 7 weeks, I've struggled with the PWB phase in that I am moving through it very slowly. I'm 5 weeks into it since my cast was removed and only recently mastered using a walker. It took me forever to get me off the knee scooter and on 2 feet. Last week I thought I was ready to move to using a walking cane and over the weekend used it a little bit while out. I am now in excruciating pain. I haven't really struggled with horrible pain thus far so I am a little concerned. I realize moving from a walker to a cane is increasing the amount of weight on my foot, so is that probably why I am in so much pain? I am now back to using the walker and feeling a bit discouraged that I couldn't handle the cane. I am further discouraged that I am moving so slowly through the PWB phase. Many talk on these boards of it taking only a couple of weeks before they are fully weight bearing, but I am in week 5 and I don't see being close to that yet. Any words of "your experience isn't so abnormal" would be helpful.
View 6 RepliesBroken Humerus Spiral Fracture
On January 31, I fell on ice walking my dogs and fractured my surgical neck of my arm and have a very large spiral fracture down my humorous. Initially the pain was pretty bad, I struggled with sleeping, but after day seven it started feeling a little less painful. But then I met with orthopedic again and he put me in a plastic brace to help align the bone and now the pain is almost unbelievable. The only thing I am taking is Tylenol because any kind of opiate makes me very nauseous, and I have a history stomach ulcer so I cannot take Ibuprofen. This whole ordeal has been a huge struggle for me to go from a very active person to sitting in the recliner all day long. I am alone also most of the days because my husband has to go to work. It's been really hard for me not to become overwhelmingly depressed. I'm dealing with the guilt of not being able to go to work as I am a supervisor of a program. In addition I have four animals that are being neglected because I don't have the energy and stamina to do anything with them. Not being able to be self-sufficient is also extremely saddening to me. It is hard for me to see the future when when the orthopedic is saying it will be at least six weeks before I will start seeing some changes. I have tried to keep my mind occupied with things but all I want to do is get better. How has other folks dealt with the pain, the lack of independence and the feeling of being cooped up?
View 1 RepliesOrthopedics :: Broken Leg - Spiral Fracture To The Tibia
I broke my leg on the 21st September 2013, and it has now been broken for 15 weeks! I have a spiral fracture to the right tibia, and the doctors decided not to operate. I had a full leg cast for the first 8 weeks, and then went onto a half leg cast, fully weight baring! At first I could only put some of my weight through the bone, and would rely mostly on my crutches, but recently I have been able to hobble around with using no crutches at all - I only do this when i'm inside my house as I would still not rely on my bone fully to steady me. But in the last week or so, it has started to ache more, and it had completely stopped hurting before I am scared that I have put to much weight through it and damaged it again! The pain isn't that bad, it comes and goes and i only take paracetamol to make the ache go away, but it really is worrying me! I don't yet know when my cast is due off as apparently the doctors said my bone will take 4 to 4 and a half months to heal, but by my x rays he said it could be a little earlier! I am a 19 year old girl at university, doing a practical drama degree, so as you can imagine this has been a nightmare for me & I was so hoping I was nearing the end! It seems ever lasting! I'm just wondering if this pain that i'm experiencing now is normal, or if i have possibly done something to damage the break again! I am just panicking because i so want this to be over now i've come 15 weeks and i don't want to go back to square 1
View 2 RepliesOrthopedics :: MIPO (Spiral Comminuted Distal Tibia And Fibula Fracture)
Last February 11, 2014, I fractured my leg (distal tibia and fibula). My doctor calls it Pilon Fracture. Spiral comminuted fracture of the distal tibia and fibula involving the articulations.
February 15, 2014, I went through MIPO (minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis). 4 weeks(March 11) after the operation, my doctor advised me to put some weight on it and so I did. 4 weeks(April 11) later, I had an xray and it appears like nothing's changed from my 1st x ray 4 weeks ago. I tried to put more weight on it but surprisingly, it doesn't hurt nor caused me any discomfort.
How long does a distal tibia and fibula fracture that went through MIPO heal? Exactly when would I walk again without my crutches?!
Fracture Of The Fifth And Second Metatarsal
I posted a few wks ago I fell down a step at work and rolled my ankle, pain was excruciating at the time I went to a&e and x ray was clear, went back after five weeks and xray clear again, I had an Mrs Saturday after 6.5 weeks and it shows a fracture of the fifth and second metatarsal, waiting for mri report to go to a&e, should have it later, worried that I have done further damage, will they cast it now or is it too late
View 4 RepliesJones Fracture :: Broken 5th Metatarsal - Recovery?
I broke my left foot 5th metatarsal playing soccer. Doctor said i have a jones fracture, so i wore i cast for 6 weeks and then the boot of another 3. I was on crutches the whole time not putting any weight on my foot. After 9 weeks my bone still has not healed. So i had to wait 3 weeks in order to put a request for a bone stimulator. On week 14 of being on crutches i receive the bone stimulator. I have been using the bone stimulator for 32 days 10 hours a day. Wednesday this week is when i am getting my xrays to see if my bone has healed. My question is what should i expect on terms of recovery? My soccer season starts on August 1st, what are my chance on being in full form by then. Just putting out there i'm going to work my self to the bone to do all i can for a good healthy recovery.
View 9 RepliesBroken Tibia And Fibula + Weight Bearing
I broke my tibia and fibula while playing soccer 7 weeks ago. I had an IM nail and 4 screws put into my tibia. I recently had my full leg cast removed at 6 weeks, and the doctor told me I could start partial weight bearing (25-45 lbs).
My question is, when the doctor said 25-45lbs, is that because that is the most that my bones can take? Or can my bones take my full body weight at this point? Is my doctor simply taking into account the fact that my joints and my muscles will be very atrophied (which is true)? So can I simply start bearing my full body weight as soon as my joints and muscles let me?
I also got a walking cast, but I do not enjoy using it. Do I have to use it? I can just be careful when I'm outside.
Jones Fracture :: Broken 5th Metatarsal - Bone Shift?
I have broken my 5th metatarsal bone in 2 spots close together, it was not displaced but if it shifts its a whole chunk of bone. In emergency i had xrays and was told its a bad break that does not usually heal properly and that i need surgery. I went 4 days later to fracture clinic and they said th3y want to call it a "jones fracture" but that because its broke completely in 2 places its tricky. The previous x ray showed luckily it was not displaced and i kept the air cast and told to go back for x ray in 4 weeks. One dr said to basically not to move and non weight bearing and another said i can use my heal. The goal is to not let the bone shift and hopefully avoid surgery. They left me very confused. Its been almost 2 weeks and i get pain off and on. When i elevate my foot the pain stops and as soon as i would begin to lower it i get very sharp burning like pressure on top of my foot around the break. It gets swollen after i crutch around for even just going across the street to corner store but it relaxes when i lay down and elevate. Since this pa8n has been happening its now swelling more on top at the break but its hard and very tender..sometimes hot and red but it calms down. I do not do much but i have 2 kids, one which has a lot of medical issues and actually was ambulanced to children's hospital the day after i broke it. I'm completely on my own and my son has a ton of upcoming appointments which is travelling an hour away on a cpl busses and through a busy train station..just a lot of walking and all i have are crutches. I guess my questions are..am I doing too much and making it more likely for the bone to shift..has anyone experienced a non displaced break and then have it shift and need surgery? Is there a way to tell myself if i've shifted the bone? Has anyone experienced the same kind of pain?? I read this is one of the hardest and longest fractures to heal but all the info is sooo different from everyone i'm confused.
View 15 RepliesOrthopedics :: Broken Tibia - How Long In A Cast And Non Weight Bearing
I had a horse fall and have managed to fracture my left tibia in a spiral complex formation.
They decided not to operate and I have now been in a cast for 7 weeks and have another 3 weeks until my next visit to the fracture clinic
Has anyone else been in a cast this long and non weight bearing? How long until I will be able to ride again once the cast has come off?
I am getting really bored at home now because my work won't let me return until I am walking and the doctor keeps signing me off!
Foot / Ankle :: Early Weight Bearing After OCD Talus Microfracture?
I am 6 days out from microfracture surgery on my left talus to correct an OCD that is actually 25 years old. Back when I was 13 I was diagnosed and went the route of NWB for about 12 weeks rather than surgery. Although I always had a less than fantastic ankle and some arthritis through the years, it was not until this summer that I went back to an OS due to shooting pain and locking in the ankle. The same lesion showed up on MRI/CT, about 1.1 cm x .6 cm still partially attached but with fluid gathering beneath it. OS assumed it was flapping, thus pain some days, no pain other days. I decided to go ahead with debridement and drilling, and so far seems like it went smoothly. The OS said that the piece was indeed very loose but that actually meant that it was easy to remove and they cleaned out the bone and drilled. So far I'm actually surprised that I haven't been in too much pain, I barely took the Percocet and stopped completely just 2 days later. Now I am trying to flex the ankle as much as I can (in a hard splint/wrap that OS does not want me to remove until follow-up on Monday) and it's not too bad. I do have 2 concerns I was hoping OCD veterans could answer:
1. My OS, who is actually the second surgeon I saw about this and chose to go with him because of his experience, believes in early weight bearing after this type of surgery. I've been reading/lurking a lot of threads on here about OCD surgery recovery and haven't come across anyone who did this. I see him on Monday, which will be 12 days post-op, and he plans to put me in a boot with a small amt of weight bearing at that time. Anyone else do this? He even says that in the meantime, I can put the foot flat on the floor and stand with a small bit of weight on it, as long as I don't walk. As in, if I'm standing brushing my teeth, put the foot flat on the floor, and that this hard half-cast should loosen up as I continue to do this. I'm scared to try it! I suspect THAT is when I'll really feel pain.
2. Until yesterday I didn't feel my incisions at all. Now I'm getting a sort of zing pain in one spot that I think it where he said an incision would be. It's sort of stinging. Is this normal? I can't remove the dressing so I have no idea what it looks like under there. Is it possible I popped a stitch? How long are the incisions? They should only be a stitch or 2 long, correct?
Mid Shaft Humerus Fracture - Itching And Fluid Build Up Under Brace
I'm a 19 year old girl in good health and no previous broken bones or medical conditions. 8 days ago
I fractured my humerus, mid shaft. Its an oblique fracture. I had an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon and
The bone is perfectly aligned now and the feeling in my fingers and wrist is back. I still cannot move my lower arm.
I was fitted with a brace about 13 hours into the break, and I can no longer feel the bones clicking. The past couple days I
Have had an intense itching under the brace and tonight it got so bad I stuck a cotton swab under the mesh slip to itch it. When I looked at the swab it was a little bloody and had puss and what looked like peeling skin on it. When I looked on the back of my arm under the mesh slip I saw a red rash. It looks and feels very raw. Is this normal?
Also, my elbow and lower arm is extremely swollen. I know this is from the buildup of fluids. But on the underside of my elbow there is a huge bluish purplish reddish bruise. Is this normal?
Broken 5th Metatarsal - Recovery?
Day SIx after falling out of shed and braking 5th metatarsal
day 1 a&e visit for what I thought was a badly sprained ankle but oh no x Ray and1 hour later in shoe cast with crutches.day 4 visit hospital doctor v quick look at x Ray and placed in removable cast ski boot. struggled with this, really uncomfortable plus I kept fiddling with straps etc phone plaster room and next day fitted with solid lower cast. Much better than boot.
I love walking outdoors and cycling etc so finding life on crutches a bit hard. Also reading to many internet recovery experiences which is making me a bit low. Coming to terms with it no going to be cast off in six weeks then bouncing around again.
Broken 2nd, 3rd And 4th Metatarsal - Recovery Time
I thought I would write something about this (highly out of character), as when I did it (in an effort to find some comfort and provide my rugby club with information as to when I would be fit again) I searched the internet for all the articles I could, and it was in this minefield that I encountered, from miracle healers to those reoccurring 2 year problems, and as such my mind was boggled. Doctors also provide some guidelines on what is normal to be off crutches but after that recovery rates varied due to ages and previous physical nature of the participants, so whilst this is by no means a complete list, it may offer some help to those who are physically active and still relatively young (sorry).
So to give you my information, I am 25 y/o, male, play rugby to a reasonable standard, cycle 100km plus a week, as well as gyming or some kind of training most days (so needless to say I normally tick the extremely active box).
Previously I had not had any injuries to my feet, and it was just a freak occurrence due to the weight of several men going through it whilst being tackled, the break was fortunate enough to be closed fractures, but still it bloody hurt.
I did this on the 24th January 2016, and was in a soft shell boot for four weeks, at week two I got back in the gym but was very limited on what I could do - machines only (free weights were impossible as I could not lift these without putting pressure through my foot). At the beginning of week 5 I got rid of the boot yet continued using crutches for another 2 weeks. At the start of week 7 I could finally walk again (albeit with a heavy limp), however I did manage to get back on my bike (solid sole - clip in shoes), at the start of week 8 I was squatting with light weight, walking with a slight limp, though many gym exercises were still difficult, at the start of week 9, most gym exercises were becoming easier and getting more weight on them, in week 10 I decided I was close to being able to jog - not the case and got quite a bit of pain going through it, however I am confident my foots resistance will build up over the week.
Anyway I thought I’d write this now, as once I am fit again I will forget all about the injury, and so probably would not write this and be of any help to anyone. So it will get better, just it does take time, finally over the last few days I looked up more information on general bone healing; this states around 3-4months and I believe this to be more accurate for these recoveries than anything I read on forums.
Broken 5th Metatarsal And 5th Metacarpal - Recovery?
During a taekwondo fight, I broke my right 5th Metacarpal with severe displacement and had 2 pins put in on May 29. They were taken out 3 weeks later, and I was told to move my fingers as much as possible. Extreme pain, bruising and swelling for 1.5 weeks after pins came out.
I tripped and fell on July 1st, breaking my left 5th Metatarsal, at the base, and have had an aircast for 4 weeks. First 2 weeks were non-weight bearing, 3rd week I was partial weight bearing, and this week I am walking without crutches, aircast to be on for 2 more weeks.
I unfortunately also rebroke my right 5th metacarpal in my fall, and was splinted and told no surgery this time, but they would do a more conservative approach to healing. Splint came off last week, and I was again told to move my fingers and had a lot. I cannot move my pinky except for up and down a little bit. It will not bend at all at the knuckle. Physio starts in a week, and I'm super nervous. It is quite painful right now.
Anyone else with a similar experience? Especially with the 5th Metacarpal? I'm mostly wondering what they will do at Physio, what to expect for pain and how long until my hand is more useable.
What Type Of Boot? 5th Metatarsal Surgery
Does anyone know what type of boot you should be in once you are able to bear weight? tall or short?
View 3 RepliesSurgery For Delayed Union 5th Metatarsal?
Seen consultant today, an actual genuine foot and ankle one as opposed to the spinal one I was apparently seeing (go figure..but it's the UK and you see who you see..) Anyway, I fractured my metatarsal, midshaft, spiral, minimal displacement on 17 Dec 2014. Done all I should, rested (no boot offered), on crutches etc, off work for 6 weeks. STILL not showing any callus although bone is closer together than it was. Consultant today says he thinks I ought to have pins and plate in. Q scared at this..as not over painful now, although can't walk for miles, painful, and couldn't run (I was a big walker and used to run a bit too) Officially a delayed union...should I have op or will it cause more problems. If I have it it's back to square one..and worse as foot was never very painful when I did it, and I imagine will be painful having pins and plates in.
View 2 RepliesFoot / Toe :: 2nd Metatarsal Shortening Surgery?
I've been suffering from severe foot pain since november. I've been wearing a boot since march. I am contemplating having 2nd metatarsal shortening to help with my pain. My 2nd toes ligaments are all stretched out and causing it to turn towards my great toe. I'm just curious...who has had this surgery and are you pain free now?
View 3 Replies