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My Jones Fracture Experience so far

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Unregistered, Jun 15, 2011.

  1. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest


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    On May 6, I tripped and fell at work and broke my fifth metatarsal (jone's fracture). Initially, I thought it was just a sprain and went to an urgent care where they gave me an ace wrap and sent me to get xrays. The next morning it was even worse so I went to the ER where they diagnosed me with a jones fracture. I was sent to follow up with an orthopedist who put me in a cast for 6-8 weeks and was told to be non-weight bearing. Working at an electrical supply house, this meant a significant amount of time out of work. Anyway, when I finally got the workers comp case straightened out, the workers comp insurance company sent me to another doctor (a foot and ankle specialist) as my initial orthopedist was not in their network. I then went to this doctor who again xrayed my foot and laid the options on the table. I could continue with conservative treatment and remain casted for up to 3 months or I could opt for screw fixation surgery, which generally speaking usually results in more consistent results (as far as the bone forming proper union). Additionally, he explained to me that because of the way my foot is shaped (I have extremely high arches) that the risk of non-union was somewhat higher. My uncle suffered the same fracture a couple years ago and he chose the cast method and did not heal for over 4 months. Weighing all this information, I chose the surgery. I had the surgery four weeks ago and saw the doctor at the one week and two week mark. He's indicated that the screw is placed properly and at the two week mark put me in a hard cast (for the first two weeks after surgery i was in a splint and ace wrap due to swelling that can occur following surgery) and has ordered me to return on June 29th. He indicated that I will get out of the cast at this point and will be able to be weight bearing. Generally speaking (also anyone who has had the surgery I'd appreciate your input), should I be able to resume normal activities at this point? I am on my feet almost all day for work...so will I be healed enough to return to work at this point? I know every case is different but I just wanted to hear from anyone that might have had a similar fracture. Hopefully, I'll be able to follow up on June 29 and report that everything is going well; but I just wanted to know what I might be able to expect.
     
  2. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Your ankle and foot will be weak and sore after being casted and having surgery. You will not be able to return to work right away esp. because your job involves so much of being on your feet (on concrete from the sounds of it). Your doctor may prescribe physio, which would help facilitate your return.

    You may not even be able to get a shoe on that foot.

    Don't let them rush you back to work until you feel your foot can handle it.
     
  3. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Thanks for the response...I am not expecting to return to work right away but just wanted to get a sense of the recovery process post cast. Do you think they will give me a walking boot or is it usually progress straight to a normal shoe? I definitely plan on having a good conversation with my doctor when I see him next week. Hopefully, he can explain everything to me on a case specific basis. I think your suggestion of physical therapy is definitely wise and I plan on discussing this with my doctor. Anyway, I'll post my progress as I go along, hopefully the information can be of use to someone else.

    Thanks,
    Joel
     
  4. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Well, today I had my 6 week post-op exam and it went great! Fracture line is no longer visible! Anyway, he said I can begin full weight bearing in a normal sneaker (obviously no running, jumping, lifting, etc.) and sent me for physical therapy (4 weeks, 2-3x a week) to rebuild strength in my foot. Already have been walking around the house and it's been so liberating! I see the doctor again in 2 weeks at which point I should be released back to work. If anyone is suffering with a recent Jones fracture, I know how disheartening the process can be; but I just want to encourage you to remain hopeful and be patient. If anyone wants some insight, feel free to e-mail me at devilmann30@optonline.net. I just can't wait to be completely back to my normal life...it gets really boring staying home and remaining sedentary. I wish everybody going through what I went through a quick and complete recovery!
     
  5. mjh

    mjh Guest

    Just broke my 5th metatarsal yesterday. My summer is shot unfortunately and I am a very active person. I guess I will be laid up for the next 2 months. ;(
     
  6. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Not to burst your bubble, but if you have a Jones Fracture then 2 months is a very agressive estimate of return to activity. I opted for surgery and it's already been over two months. I won't be back on the basketball court until September.

    Good luck to you.
     
  7. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Just an update...saw the doctor again today and everything is going well. I was released to work and will begin again tomorrow, 7/14. I kind of feel like I'm starting a new job since it's been so long since I last worked. My foot is feeling pretty good...if I'm on my feet for a significant period of time it does get somewhat sore, but overall, I'm very pleased with the progress. Definitely has been a long road to recovery, but I feel as if I'm finally in the home stretch. Good luck to anyone that is beginning or in the middle of one of these terrible fractures.
     
  8. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I'm so glad I came across your post! I had pain in the outside metatarsal area of my right foot for about 3 weeks or so. I went to my dr. who ordered an X-ray for a stress fracture but was afraid it wouldn't show up. On Monday afternoon, 6/20, they called with the results & while race-hobbling to the phone I stepped down to hard on it & it fractured completely. Not a pleasant feeling, for sure! So the next day the foot dr. I was referred to put me in an Aircast & took me out of work for 4 wks. At the 2 wk. mark there was no healing at all but he decided to wait 2 more wks. before deciding on surgery to put a screw in it. The next day I called his office to tell him to just schedule the surgery as I cannot keep waiting like this to make the next move. My husband has been on FMLA (with pay, thank God!) with me as I can't do anything, including drive. Plus I'm off work with no pay. So I have my surgery scheduled for next Friday, 7/22. And although I'm very ready for this healing to get started I'm terrified of the prospect of pain & recovery after the surgery, as I don't have a lot of pain right now since I'm not using it. At least I can see some light at the end of the tunnel by your post. I've already been given a TENS machine (electrical stimulation) to help speed up the healing process. If you have any tips on getting through the 1st couple of weeks after the surgery I'd love to hear them!! Thanks again!
     
  9. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I also broke my 5th metatarsal on March 23 and I just got my hard cast removed on July 18th, it has been a long process. I went every three weeks for xray and check up and it has healed 99% but I have been advised to take it easy and I can finally return to work on Monday July 25th. I wish you a quick recovery!
     
  10. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi, I fractured my foot on April 11th, I was in a hard cast for 6 weeks. My second xray showed slight if any healing, on may 18th, I then was put in a walking boot. As I was unhappy about this, I asked to see a specialist and ask for surgery. The consultant asked why I would want surgery if it could possibly heal on its own. This made me feel very small! He also said that I should stop wearing the walking boot as it was not needed. As it turns out he was a shoulder specialist not foot and I dont know why I saw him. The next xray I had on July 19th showed slight healing. I also had an xray on my left foot as this really aches on the outside edge. This did not show any fracture, again not happy about results and will ask for it to be re xrayed. The consulatant recorded this down as possible non union and wants to see me on September 13th. He said that if the next xray does not show much improvement then he will discuss the next options - possibly surgery! I am so angry that I wanted surgery at the begining, but was put off it! Has anyone else been put in the same situation. I still have pain on the side of my foot. I dont drive at all, so walking is my only option. Both my feet ache when standing after sitting for any length of time, is this normal. After tottering for a few minutes I regain normal walking and the pain goes. Can anyone relate to this? This has now been a total of 17 weeks
     
  11. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I would find another doctor at this point if you've gone this long & aren't happy. I broke mine 6/20 (have posted on other threads here), had surgery 7/21 after 4 wks. of no healing. I requested surgery at 3 wks. but scheduling put me down to 4 wks. It will still be 8 wks. total post-op, weight-bearing at 6 wks. hopefully, but at least I'm on the mend. Good luck with your recovery! :)

    Melannie
     
  12. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    My Jones Fracture after 17 long weeks healing. As my next xray is due on the 13th September, I dont know whether I should request an earlier app as I've had trouble getting appointments to see the foot consultant as it is! The last Dr I saw was a registrar (but did specialise in feet). Its been 17 weeks now, I wanted to know if anyone else has had to wait this long and if so did they still have pain in the foot. I was diagnosed with a Jones fracture, but the shoulder consultant I saw said it wasnt! I have seen one more different consultant since then, but didnt really say much other than slow healing and wanted me to wait another 8 weeks. I didnt ask hime if his opion of the fracture was a jones. I am convinved that it is a Jone. I have a picture on my phone of the initial fracture and have compared this to images on the net. I have done lots of research also! My fracture seems to be between what is classified as a Jones and a stress. I am happy that I am mobile, but what long term damage is this now going to casue me!
    Michelle
     
  13. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello.

    I've been having excruciating pain on the outside middle of my foot on and off now for several months. Every few weeks or so, I experience terrible, nearly unbearable pain that gets worst over a period of a few days before seemingly going away, only to come back again. It swells up and turns purple. I had at first thought (and had been told) that I had developed gout, but now after reading this and other sites, it seems as if gout is not the problem at all, as that seems to be more of a big toe problem.

    I'm now thinking that I should see a doctor to get this taken care of, as it seems as though it may be fractured and not healing properly. By the comments written here, this may require a lot of healing time in a cast. That's all I need right now!
     
  14. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I can tell you that my foot dr. did say at 2 wks. after the initial diagnosis that he would only give me 2 more wks. & if no healing was present he would do surgery ASAP. I am a 47 yr. old female & work P/T on my feet doing retail. He gave me Coral Calcium supplements at the 2 wk. appt. & also ordered a electronic bone stimulator to help speed things along. After that appt, discussing it with my husband & getting a 2nd opinion from an Orthopedic we've both seen for a long time, I contacted the foot dr. at 3 wks. to ask him to schedule surgery. He had no problem doing so & I'm glad I did. My foot has no choice than to heal now, providing I follow his orders. The lesson I learned from all this is that if you experience foot pain go to a reputable podiatrist first, not a family/general practitioner. Particularly one that can do surgery, if necessary. Good luck!!

    Melannie
     
  15. unregistered

    unregistered Guest

    This week marks one year since my jones fracture...had the surgery days after the injury and have had nothing but problems since...

    Right after surgery, my toes would turn gray and the foot would hurt really badly. Concern of the doc was blood clots though the ultra sound showed all was good. I was non-weight bearing from point of injury through the end of November. December I walked or used crutches as tolerated though finally in a boot instead of a plaster cast.

    I have used a bone stimulator since January 1, 2011 (this makes the foot hurt to the core), was prescribed a tens unit (though the doctor I was referred to said to not use it as the frequency causes damage to the nerves therefore I own it but do not use it)...

    A year post injury, my foot swells daily to almost if not slightly more than double it's normal size. Where the screw was put in, the bone or what I think is bone bulges out of my foot by a quarter inch and I can wear only very flat shoes (flip flops or ballet flats) for a limited amount of time daily. Forget anything that has any sort of arch support etc, gym shoes etc are out and heaven forbid the desire to wear any sort of dress shoes...and it just plain hurts.

    I am so frustrated as I am tired of going to my doctor to either be told "come back in a month" or "go see this specialist" who then tells me I am expecting too much and I should "come back in a month". I have done pt, seen a chiroprator, taped my foot repeatedly, even done a 30 day juice fast...

    Up until now, my insurance limited me to one specific clinic of orthopedics so I have gone to the extreme of changing jobs so I could have different insurance however I cannot just run out and have something extreme done while starting this new job....so I need to buy some time and try to find out what I can do to make it at least tollerable for another six months or so....any suggestions of what I can do now and thoughts about the future? Any one else have this sort of trouble??
     
  16. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi I can relate to your frustration, I broke my fifth metatarsal on 3rd March ( Jones fracture bad break) A& E seemed to think I would need surgery however was then told they would see if it healed on it's own, nearly 4 months and several casts/aircast boot I was referred to a specialist as they did not seem to know why it wasn't healing , I saw him and he immediately said it was ridiculous it had been left this long and was the first to mention a Jones fracture, he said if it hadn't healed by then it wouldn't and scheduled me for surgery the following week, he said as it had been without blood supply the bottom screw had caused problems as the bone was now soft, in cast for 6 weeks back to clinic another 2 weeks as was healing but not fully, back to clinic last Thursday and cast removed at last ! this doctor who was under pressure as only him there said off you go you can now walk on it and gave me aircast boot again to use " if I wanted " 2 days on and I am scared in case he has told me incorrect and am finding it very difficult to walk as it has been nearly 6 months I have little faith they know what they are doing, my surgeon was brilliant but only saw him twice, can't afford for this to go wrong now
     
  17. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I broke my fifth metatarsal of my left foot on July 11, 2011. I also have torn the ligament and have severe nerve damage on the left side of my foot. I have been instructed no weight barring, they cannot put me in a hard cast since I am still swelling and with the nerve damage. I am in a walking boot, second one. The first one was half way up my calf; the one I am currently sporting is to the knee. I am still experiencing a great deal of pain; I cannot tell if the nerves hurt worse than the fracture or the ligaments, I am pretty sure surgery is in my future.
    It has already been 6 week since the accident and will be 8 weeks before I see my specialist again. Did any of you have the nerve damage and torn ligaments along with your injury and do you recommend the surgery over letting it heal itself?
    Shanell
     
  18. ShanellStephenson

    ShanellStephenson New Member

    On July 11, 2011; I broke my fifth metatarsal of my left foot stepping off of a 4 wheeler. I also have torn the ligaments and have severe nerve damage on the left side of my foot. My foot swells to double its size and I am having circulation issues. I have been instructed no weight barring, they cannot put me in a hard cast since I am still swelling and with the nerve damage. I am also taking a B complex, 2000 ml of Calcium, 100 ml of Niacin (twice daily), L-Arginine. All to promote blood flow to heal the bone and nerves. I am in a walking boot, second one. The first one was half way up my calf; the one I am currently sporting is to the knee. I feel that the boots are very heavy and really not keeping my foot stationary to promote healing. I am still experiencing a great deal of pain; I cannot tell if the nerves hurt worse than the fracture or the ligaments, I am pretty sure surgery is in my future. I am a very active person and from what I have read this is a break that is very stubborn.
    It has already been 6 week since the accident and will be 8 weeks before I see my specialist again. Did any of you have the nerve damage and torn ligaments along with your injury and do you recommend the surgery over letting it heal itself?
     
  19. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    i did the same exact thing other than i did not get surgery and i had to wear a boot for over a couple of months and now i am in physical therapy
     
  20. Injured Girl

    Injured Girl Guest

    I suffered a Jones Fracture on Aug 15 when I missed a step and landed on my left foot badly.

    I opted for surgery which I had on Aug 26. I am currently in a walking boot and crutches. Next week I start physical therapy and can start putting partial weight on my foot (with the boot on).

    Did anyone else have surgery and how long until you could walk again without crutches and a boot?
     
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