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Jones Fracture 5th metatarsal(picture attached)

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by mm620764, Aug 3, 2009.

  1. mm620764

    mm620764 New Member


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    Hi on July 2009 I came down on my foot playing basketball. Its only been about 3 weeks and I think I am feeling a lot better. I've been researching a lot on the Jones fracture and research has shown me that it can take a long time to heal. When I first went to the emergency room all they gave me was a splint and in 3 daysto make an appointment to see a specialist. The specialist immediately gave me a walking boot, but at that point I could not even put my foot on the floor without feeling an immense amount of pain, which included burning and stabbing pains when even a finger touched the area, let alone putting weight on the foot. I was very suprised with this move because I was expecting to get a cast on. Now I feel as though I am confused with my healing process. I used my crutches for 2.5 weeks and the walking boots only function was to provide support. However, on this 3rd week I am able to walk with the boot and drive. There is not much pain associated with boot on and mild pain with it off. At first, when walking with the boot my big toe and the entire left side of my foot, made walking and balance possible. While my big toe and heal would be putting pressure down into the boot for balance my other toes would be in the air, not serving any function. However, I am confused If I am messing up the healing process. Today, I am completely able to walk with the boot on without any discomfort when balancing and walking. My other toes no longer stay in the air while the left side of the foot balances. I found this as a sign of proper healing. however, it may not. The 17th of this month I have to go in for another xray and if it has not healed... I will have to get surgery. I attached a picture of my xray hoping to get an opinion of my situation. Thanks all!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    DISCLAIMER:
    THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************************
    I would take issue with your statement that your doctor expects healing of the fracture in only 5 weeks. Also, treatment with a surgical shoe and immediate weight-bearing for a conservatively treated Jones fracture differs with the protocol which I generally employ.
     
  3. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello, I had almost an identical break in my foot recently. How long did it take you to recover? Thanks!
     
  4. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I think each person heals differently. I am a 59 year old female. My injury occurred at the end of January. Diagnosed with an acute Jones fracture, with well-delineated breaks, my [board certified] podiatrist immediately ordered a bone stimulator which I use twice daily. He also warned me the limited blood supply probably would impact healing time. I was advised that it was a serious injury.

    Each successive x-ray has shown progress with good alignment. Since union has not yet occurred I am still non-weight bearing [therefore can't drive] and am in a soft cast. It's been just over 3 months. I know I don't heal quickly and that my age and the location of the fractures in the bone factor into it.

    I get around with a knee scooter which is such a lifesaver. Crutches are not my friend but I have to use them for any steps.

    Anyway, there are guidelines for healing but as you can see in my case I've surpassed the time lines. I have the utmost confidence in my doctor and am being an excellent patient so I don't end up with residual problems. Good Luck to you.
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2010
  5. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello, I suffered an acute jones fracture just over one wk ago. No displacement, with a small widening, but clean lines. I'm wondering how your healing is going? I know everyone heals differently, but I'm 30 years old with an 18 month old daughter who wants me out of this cast as badly as I do. I know someone who took 12 months to heal from a 5th met break, and I can only imagine what those medical bills will look like for someone like me without insurance. Any feedback would be appreciated. Happy healing!
     
  6. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi,
    I fractured my foot (Jones Fracture) 3.5 weeks ago. My doctor also put me on an air cast, and have been "walking" since the first day. It hurts a but if I step wrong, but other than that it seems to be ok.
    At 3 weeks I had a follow up x-ray, and it did not seem to have improved. I'm supposed to go at 6 weeks again to see if there's been a change or if it has healed.

    Since you also got an air cast at the beginning of the treatment, and the fracture looks very similar to mine, I was wondering how did it all go?

    thanks,
    Sandra
     
  7. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I am confused... So many people are staying that just after few weeks they were allowed to walk on their cast or boot... My Dr said absolutely no weightbearing for at least 12 weeks.. Are we being too conservative?
     
  8. FootDoc

    FootDoc New Member

    Your doctor has assumed responsibility for your care. Either you place yourself in his/her hands or you don't. I do not negotiate treatment with a patient based on his/her desires or what some other patient says he/she had done, as it is I who is saddled with the responsibility. If you do not follow your doctor's directions and you have a poor result, whom will you blame?
     
  9. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I fractured my 5th metatarsal 3 weeks ago. I am a nurse and fractured my foot on the job. I went to the ER where the doctor told me it was fractured and gave me a walking boot. He told me to use the crutches for 3 or so days and to see an orthopedic. Because it is an on the job injury I see an orthopedic and a pcp. I first went to the pcp who told me it was a jones fracture with good alignment but slight widening of the fracture lines. He told me to bare weight as tolerated. The first week the pain was awful and weight bearing seemed to make it worse. So i didn't. The next week I saw the orthopedic and he acted as if it was no big deal. he said the same thing the pcp said. He told me that the pain should subside in 3 wks and he would see me back in three weeks. I am very confused because most everything I read says no weight bearing for the first 4-6 weeks. I now walk in the cam boot with minimal pain. I do not feel like the boot immobilizes my foot at all. Sometimes my foot will move or catch and I feel a lot of pain. I also have pain on the distal end of the metatarsal which the doctor dismissed saying "I don't see anything wrong there and it is probably like in your back where the pain can be further than the problem area." this seems wrong to me. I go back to the doctors in a week. What I am here for is advice on questions I should ask. I feel so uncomfortable with the fact that what I read conflicts with what they say. I expressed this to the pcp and tod him what I had read. He said this was no longer typical protocol and that maybe I shouldn't read so much. I'm frustrated as a nurse I am trained to read, research, and rely on evidence based practice. I know you cannot diagnose or disagree with the doctors over this forum, but I really need advice on things to seek out during appointments.
     
  10. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Oops. Rereading my post I noticed I meant to say the pain at the distal end is pain with touch to that specific area and not radiating pain.
     
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