I broke my right 5th metatarsal (mid shaft) bone last week (one week today).
I have been surfing the net, looking for healing times and foods etc to help heal my foot quicker. I realize that there are many variables and each person is unique in the way they recover and heal.
I am a very healthy 37 (as of last month) year old. I do not smoke, do not drink, run and work out daily. My diet is also excellent.
I had a couple questions. The Orthopedic surgeon and myself decided NOT to have surgery and allow my foot to heal on its own. He put me in a walking boot, and said I could walk on it whenever there was no pain. As of now I put minimal pressure on it. I started working out a couple days ago, upper body only, however my foot which I could put limited pressure on (with the walking boot) suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
1. I also noticed more discoloration. The discoloration disappeared at night, however reappeared in the morning after putting the boot back on, is this normal?
2. There is a black and blue mark at the bottom of my foot, is this normal?
3. Lastly, I am an airline pilot, while I have been removed from flight status for 6-8 weeks (pending a medical review) I will continue to teach in the simulator. However I need to actually fly the sim one session. Can I put pressure on the rudder pedal with my walking boot without doing damage?
Great forum, looking forward to your insight.
AAflyer aka "clipped wings"
Last edited by AAflyer; 23rd October 2008 at 04:05 PM.
My over-riding thought here is to wonder why, after only a week under the care of a orthopedist with whom you relate that you have discussed the mode of therapy acceptable to both of you, that you are asking question on an Internet forum which surely could be better answered in a manner which reflects direct and intimate knowledge of you and your case by the attending doctor. Would not HE be the one to be asking these questions, and on whose answers you should be relying? How can I or anyone else who has never seen you reasponsibly offer to you the specific instructions/clearance that you want and need? I don't ask this as a criticism of you, but I would really like your response to MY questioning your thoughts in coming here for this information.
Because I am in Texas and he is in New York. I figured by the tone of your statement you will not be much help. I thought this forum was for questions like mine or others I have seen (to which you gave similar condescending answers). I will chock this message board up to a waste of time. Hopefully your bed side manner is not the same as your message board one.
My how YOUR tone quickly changes when you don't get what you want due to what I've explained to you were unrealistic expectations. You ended your last post with "Great forum, looking forward to your insight," and as I am just about the only professional responder here, and it appears that you must have read my oft-given advice that the best source of information would be one's attending doctor, it is certainly a wonder that you took such a "chance" on getting one of those "condescending" answers. It might have been nice had you taken the time to explain that your doctor was far away from your current location. But why would I think that posters might give such relevant background information? . . Silly ME!
But that really doesn't alter the issue that you are asking questions which can only responsibly be answered by a doctor who has seen you and knows the intimate details of your case. If your doctor in New York was aware that you could not return to him and did not advise you to obtain in-town follow-up care wherever you might be, then he's not a very good doctor. A responsible doctor does not treat a fracture and just release a patient without advising or making follow-up arangements.
Finally, I seriously hope that I am never on an airplane where I am dependent on your judgment for my life and limb, as if your judgment in the air is as cavalier as that just demonstrated by your lack of consideration here for your own health and well being, I would want off of your flight.
Happy landings . . . just not with ME!
__________________ Foot Doc
Last edited by FootDoc; 23rd October 2008 at 07:06 PM.
My how YOUR tone quickly changes when you don't get what you want due to what I've explained to you were unrealistic expectations. You ended your last post with "Great forum, looking forward to your insight," and as I am just about the only professional responder here, and it appears that you must have read my oft-given advice that the best source of information would be one's attending doctor, it is certainly a wonder that you took such a "chance" on getting one of those "condescending" answers. It might have been nice had you taken the time to explain that your doctor was far away from your current location. But why would I think that posters might give such relevant background information? . . Silly ME!
But that really doesn't alter the issue that you are asking questions which can only responsibly be answered by a doctor who has seen you and knows the intimate details of your case. If your doctor in New York was aware that you could not return to him and did not advise you to obtain in-town follow-up care wherever you might be, then he's not a very good doctor. A responsible doctor does not treat a fracture and just release a patient without advising or making follow-up arangements.
Finally, I seriously hope that I am never on an airplane where I am dependent on your judgment for my life and limb, as if your judgment in the air is as cavalier as that just demonstrated by your lack of consideration here for your own health and well being, I would want off of your flight.
Happy landings . . . just not with ME!
You are jaded/bitter and just a plain DICK. Perhaps you spread yourself thin and no longer have the patience to deal with any questions. Either way doctors like you forget that not only are you suppose to save lives, but that you are also a public servant. I can tell you that given a choice I'm sure people would not pick you or your attitude. If you feel like people should ask only their doctors questions then why are you even on here???? Keep having fun messing with people you hypocritical ass.
I also broke my 5th metatarsal... been laid up for 10 weeks now... not fun. I'm very active. My dr. says bone broke in a good spot that it should be able to grow back by itself.. but will take a little more time.
I took what the DR. on this site is saying as your own doctor with X-rays and all the information about your foot in hand would be more apt to answer your questions intially. Then as a second opinion, another DR. not knowing your complete info could help give generic advise but you shouldn't take it for "gospel".... only as another DR. opinion. If you hadn't been seen by anyone else, he would probably be helpful to give you a "maybe it would work" answer.
i broke my fifth metatarsal on september ninth and have since gone through a cast for three weeks... then a boot for a few more...... and now im back in a cast because i pushed myself Too Hard when i recieved that lovely boot. the black and blue on the bottom of your foot is perfectly normal (at least thats what My doc told me)
although, i would stay off of that foot as much as possible because i found out last night (when i got recasted) that this particular bone doesnt get much blood flow and REALLY needs time to just heal.............. ive gone to my doctor three times, and each time my break got Worse and Only because i just assumed itd heal right up and didnt take it seriously! take it easy mr. pilot man, and i wish you happy healing
this will be a long and frustrating process but it Will eventually end!
AAFlyer asked his question a year ago tomorrow. I'm quite sure your information is both helpful and comforting to him at this time and that he constantly checks back in hopes of such advice.
A final thought, to supplement my response (above) to your expression of unrealistic expectations . . . How would a phone call to that doctor in New York, whereby you could have had a REAL discussion of your concerns with someone familiar with your case, not been a far more intelligent choice than posting on an Internet forum? Or are you going to now tell me that they don't have telephones yet in TX?
I think the problem is that you come here looking for some comfort and support (as I did too many months ago when I had a 5th Metatarsal break). When critiscism is offered instead of support, it leaves you feeling jaded.
From my "layman's" point of view, I would advise much more rest for you. I, like you am a very active person, and the pschycological effects of not being able to exercise as you used to are an important consideration, however not as important as making sure you heal right the FIRST time.
I broke my foot last July, I've just had surgery in February, now I have an infection from the surgery. My aim is to be back to the same level of fitness (I'm a runner) by July, a full year after the break!
Every break is different and frustrating in it's own way. But don't push your body to heal before it's ready. Bone healing takes a considerable amount of time and your body cannot be rushed. I think your Doctor would tell you that putting pressure on your foot in the simulator is not wise. I had a walking boot too, but was advised to put no pressure on my foot for at least 6 weeks.
Why the hostility Doc? Is this a website that you created so you could get attention and insult people who are looking for help? Why not get a job instead?
I didn't think there was anything odd about your questions. Even if your doctor was local...getting a second opinion or perhaps first hand insights is a reasonable and responsible thing to do. I too just broke my fifth metatarsal and would love to hear about healing times and individual experiences.
BTW your emails seemed reasonable but the responses bothered me quite a bit. I think we clearly need to find a better forum.
1. Immobilization and stabilization of the fracture segments
2. Adequate circulation and a healthy repairative system
Most properly cared for metatarsal fractures, other than Jones fractures, heal pretty routinely in about 6 weeks or so. If yours has not healed in 12 weeks as you state, that would indicate a situation which would require a hands-on evaluation. If you have concerns about your doctor's care, YOU are his employer and he owes you an explanation. If you have concerns about your insurance coverage, call your insurance company and determine if your concerns are valid. There is nothing that anyone can responsibly offer to you in a forum which will avoid the need for what I have suggested.
Hi, I just completed 5 weeks so far in my friend, the air boot, for my 5th metatarsal break.
Doing pretty good so far. My main 'problems' have simply been my ankle and shin getting tired of the much less mobile walking/gait. My doc's office did the second exray today, while I was bearing weight, and it looks good. You see the fx, but also the white coloration of the growing new cartilage and bone. Yea.
I will keep the air boot on for three more weeks, and then we have a plan decided upon.
Wear it at school the last week, and take it off at home between 4 to 9 p.m.
The next week, take it off after lunch for my last two classes.
The following week, take it with me to school, but don't put it on, unless there is swelling or a lot of aching. Just keep the boot with me and see how it goes.
I do take (very faithfully) a woman's multi vit, calcium, lysine, and for general health a cranberry tab and an acidolphillus tab. I have craved quite a bit of extra protein, so have been focused on that, more than usual.
those are my ideas or suggestions to all of you who have a 5th met break.
I guess I'm like just anybody who needs information - go to the relevant site in the internet! Thanks a lot for all those information. I had a closed spiral fracture of the left fifth metatarsal 12 days ago, and am now in plaster cast. The general conclusion I gather from all the reading is - no weight bearing, and be patient. But we still have to move around, right? OK, well, I'm on crutches and hobbling along. But sometimes I landed on the injured foot heel. So, if it is the heel pressing down, is that OK, or is that already weight bearing? Hope someone will answer that. Also, the doctor said I can switch to an air walker after two weeks. So another question: can I take it off when I go to shower? At present I wrap my plaster in plastic. Ha ha. Also, can I take the air walker off when I go to bed, or do I have to keep in on (ugh!)? Final question - anybody has any opinion about the healing properties of far infrared therapy socks? Really, really hope someone will answer that. But try not to be too nasty if you think the questions are airheaded! Ha ha. Thanks all the same.
I keep coming back to this over and over again. The reason one goes to a doctor is to have him/her take over the case and provide and advise treatment which is tailored to the individual and his or her problem. There is no such thing as a generic or one-size-fits-all answer to medical problems and especially the treatment of trauma, which requires individualization. The only question you've asked which is of general nature is about "infrared socks," which I have never heard of. The appropriate person to be asked and to answer any and all questions about your specific treatment and what you can or cannot, should or shouldn't do is the doctor who has assumed responsibility for your care. For your own health and well being, please do not rely on parties who have no involvement in your case to advise you on factors which might have grave bearing on your recovery.
Hi,
Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. See, most of us here visit this page only when we have/had the injury, so everything is new and we so need a LOT of info and advice. Then we get well and we don't visit till the next time (knock wood it does not happen again!) Whereas you see cases like us repeatedly so it became like a classic frustrating case of people never listening and never learns. So, thanks. You're doing a great job.
I feel like there are so many horror stories out there about foot fractures, so I wanted to offer some hope to anyone with this injury. I suffered a severe ankle sprain and 5th metatarsal fracture (non-Jones) on May 31. I was wearing chunky platform sandals and tripped and fell. That's all it took. Given that my wedding is in August, being out of commission was simply not an option, so I was determined to heal quickly. I am also a very physically active person, so being sidelined with an injury like this was beyond depressing. It was very important to follow my podiatrist's advice very strictly, and I can now say it paid off.
I was put in a soft cast and given crutches for the first week or so. During that time, I put ZERO weight on my injured foot, and had it wrapped tightly, elevated constantly, and iced religiously. I can say that simple activities like showering and cooking took on a whole new meaning during this time. My cast was removed around day 8 or 9 and I was put into an aircast walking boot, and told to gradually start putting weight on it. I continued to keep it wrapped, and elevated/iced when I wasn't attempting to walk or stand. I also did epsom salt baths once a day for 15 minutes.
After 2 weeks, I was able to walk short distances in the aircast (vital because I live in a city and everything involes walking). Walking in that boot is a pain on your back/hips because the boot makes one foot a bit higher off the ground than the other, so you're not on an even plane. At the end of week 3, an X-ray indicated that bone callus was beginning to form, and my doctor advised that I was in no danger of displacing the bone, unless I did something incredibly stupid like fall down the stairs.
By the end of the 4th week, the swelling was completely gone, and just some black-and-blue at the base of my toes. I was back to wearing sneakers-- just in time to attend my bachelorette party! I always kept the aircast or a single crutch near by, in case I needed it for support. During this time, I walked with a limp, and it took a few more weeks to re-learn my normal gait again. I also took physical therapy twice a week for 3 weeks. (This turned out to be a total waste of time and money. If you can get your doctor to just teach you some strength and balance exercises, you can do your own PT at home. It's not hard.)
An X-ray during week 7 indicated bone callus was continuing to form and I was on my way to full recovery. By week 8, I had resumed my kickboxing classes, though did no actual kicking with my injured foot, just to be safe.
I am now about to round out week 12, with one week to go until my wedding, and I have been 100% mobile for several weeks now. I can jog lightly, jump rope, balance on the injured foot and am basically back to normal. Every now and then I take an awkward step and the minor pain I feel reminds me that I'm not yet invincible and that I will always need to be careful, given that I'm a huge klutz. I do not smoke, stick to a healty diet, and work out hard about 6 days a week, so I feel like that contributed to my healing.
When I first had my injury, I spent hours scouring message boards like this, and was in a total state of despair. So for those of you who have been hearing horror stories, let me tell you that with the right discipline and care, a lot of prayer and perhaps a little luck, you CAN speed your healing time. This too SHALL pass. Best of luck and hang in there.
Let me just simply say... ANYONE can set up a forum, and profess they are a doctor or whatever. For this very reason I find it odd there is no absolute identity divulged of said 'FootDoc' which is more than just suspicious. Additionally, if remotely true... practice would fail miserably due to conduct should a physician treat patients with such disregard.
A reputable 'doctor' would have no reason to conduct himself in such a derogatory fashion (verbal dribble), as well as not divulge name, practice, etc. Think about the advertising platform not being utilized.
Food for thought... when in doubt - throw it out!
by
Maker of the world~
(oops... I mean just one who lives on the planet.) Point made.
Is there a brace specifically made to support the 5th metatarsal?
My son broke his 5th metatarsal approx 1 year ago. He is playing college football now, and stepped on the foot of a defender and rolled his same foot. x-rays showed no break. He is just trying to find a brace or suggestion about taping etc that can lend support.
5th Metatarsal break
Re: 5th Metatarsal break
Re: 5th Metatarsal break
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