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Jones Fracture Average healing times

Discussion in 'Ask your questions here' started by Unregistered, Jul 29, 2010.

  1. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest


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    Hello all,
    Well I guess everyone comes onto this forum to hear what they want to hear about their injury. I've asked my doctor many questions, but I would like to hear some hopeful stories on jones fractures as it seems that everything ive read is about non-union, screw fixation and delayed unions. I guess people who heal normally wouldn't worry about posting on a forum. Anyway, I rolled my ankle on june 13, 2010 and ended up with the dreaded jones fracture. A small widening non displaced fracture site. After 6 wks in a fiberglass cast nwb, I went to the doc today july 28th, showed some healing, but not enough to lose the cast. I now have a new fiberglass cast and instructed pwb on heal only. But not to ditch crutches. I will see the doc again in 4 wks. My doc says he is not discouraged that it won't heal, but he has asked me to be patient. What are your experiences with this fracture and your healing times? My fracture shows healing on the interior only and the widening has closed some.
     
  2. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I guess that's why the Doc here keep telling everyone not to trust most patient advice that is posted to answer questions here.
     
  3. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Well I suffered a JOnes fracture on 7/10/10 I went to the orthopedic specialist and was placed on a walking boot, I have to say I felt great for the moment I started using the boot, I went for a follow up 2 weeks after my injury to make sure the bone hadn't shift, lucky for me the x-ray showed that everyhting look good, at that time I was told by my Doctor to remove my walking boot after a month and to try to walk with my regular shoes, well I done it for the week and now Im finding myself with a very sore and painful foot,sometimes I feel Im back to square one and still hurts. After reading this Im afraid I'll required surgery and all that comes with that. NOw Im back wearing my boot 24/7 I hope I didn't make things worse by listening to my doctor = (
     
  4. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I actually have a pretty positive story (at least for now). I suffered a Jones fracture just under six weeks ago after falling on the last step in our house. I was given a boot but advised not to bear weight for 4 weeks and suppliment my diet with calcium. I listened to the doctor and although it really sucked, I did not bear any weight the entire 4 weeks.

    I went in last week for my follow-up x-ray which showed healing, but slow. My doc advised to try bearing weight a little at a time and let pain be my guide. If I still had a lot of pain after a few weeks, he said we would probably place a screw. I had trouble the first few days due to extreme pain in the heal and ball of my foot. I contacted my doctor's nurse who set me up with a "pain kit". This was two gel inserts for my boot which worked wonders. I have been pain free with crutches and even took a few steps without and still had no pain. The foot has been just a little sore at night, but basically pain free.

    I know everyone heals different, but there is hope for normal recovery. I just hope my progress continues!
     
  5. Mick D

    Mick D New Member

  6. Gimpy79

    Gimpy79 Guest

    I rolled my foot & fractured the base of my 5th metatarsal (Jones Fracture) in my right foot on Saturday August 14th. Thankfully it is a NON-DISPLACED fracture. It hurt a little bit for the 1st two days but by the 3rd day it didn’t hurt at all. X-rays confirmed the fracture. By the 5th day almost all of the swelling was down & I only had slight bruising, but NO PAIN even when I put weight on my foot-just slight tenderness at the fracture site. I can even stand on my injured foot with the uninjured up in the air. WEIRD! I saw a TOP Chicago Orthopedic Surgeon today (THURS Aug 19th) and he just gave me a weird orthopedic sandal with a stiff sole, not even one of those walking boots. He also said to let the pain be my guide. Just for the record I have a VERY LOW pain tolerance.
    I’m really surprised that I have no pain. The doctor said that’s a VERY GOOD sign that I have no pain. From what I have read & heard is that Jones Fractures stay PAINFUL for a LONG TIME. Do most of you have persistent pain with a Jones Fracture? What’s the quickest that anyone has healed?
     
  7. 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, OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************
    Just a guess based on the rather cavalier treatment you've related, but it would suggest to me that you might not have a true Jones fracture which is one which is well-defined by its precise location on the 5th metatarsal. It sounds to me as though you perhaps suffered the far more benign avulsion fracture of the base of the metatarsal instead which often requires far less aggressive, treatment. It is not uncommon for the terminology to be mistakenly misused.
     
  8. Gimpy79

    Gimpy79 Guest

    What’s the difference between a benign avulsion fracture & a Jones Fracture? The doctor clearly said JONES FRACTURE & said that it’s a common sports injury. Then he went into this whole shpeel about how it came to be named the JONES FRACTURE. How could he have been mistaken? Is the pain associated with a JONES FRACTURE different than with a benign avulsion fracture? Is the healing time/ prognosis different? Like I mentioned, I have not taken any pain meds since Monday morning (Aug 16th) and it's now Aug 20th (6 days after the fracture)
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2010
  9. 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, OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************
    Obviously I can't actually know if you have a true Jones fracture or an avulsion fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal. As I stated, the type of treatment, if properly chosen, would suggest to me that it might be the avulsion type rather than a Jones fracture as a Jones fracture is most often treated more aggressively and with a great deal more caution and trepidation than it seems to me you have depicted in your post. Typically, non-surgical care of a Jones fracture would generally entail casting and non-weight-bearing for an extended period of time. A Jones fracture is a significant injury due to its location, which, because of a natural sparsity of circulation, is prone to higher rates of non-union. As avulsion fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal can be occasioned by the same sort of trauma . . that being inversion rolling of the ankle, but instead of the fracture occurring at the area of poorer circulation, the peroneal tendon which inserts into the lateral portion of the tubercle avulses a portion of bone from the base of the metatarsal. This sort of fracture is sometimes treated without a cast and weight bearing in a surgical shoe is often allowed, but I don't know of anyone treating true Jones fracture in that fashion. There are a number of radiologic criteria for designating a fracture as a Jones fracture, among which are that the fracture invades the fourth and fifth metatarsal interspace, while an avulsion fracture typically invades the metatarsal-cuboid articulation. The degree of pain is not a valid criteria for differentiaton. Again, I can't tell you that you have had one or the other . . or either for that matter, and have made my guess entirely on the treatment which you state you are being administered. I'm not your doctor and I have no responsibility to you or for you.
     
  10. Gimpy79

    Gimpy79 Guest

    Thank you for your insight. The doctor I saw was a GENERAL orthopedic surgeon, not a FOOT specialist. Do you think in these types of cases where the diagnosis is so specialized & it’s so easy to misdiagnose these fractures, it would be beneficial to go to a PODIATRIST? Or is just get a second opinion from another orthopedic foot doctor? It’s been 7 days since my injury & I have virtually no pain (I'm not taking any meds) which really weirds me out because I feel like I should have at least some pain.
     
  11. 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, OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***************************************************
    I would think that any competent orthopedist should be perfectly able to properly diagnosis a metatarsal fracture and administer appropriate treatment. If he/she doesn't feel competent in taking foot cases, I would think he/she would not take them. But I don't know your doctor and his/her qualifications any more than I would know the qualifications of a podiatrist you might select. Furthermore, I don't know that your doctor is or is not treating your condition properly. I simply made comments based on YOUR statements and my impression from them that you may not have a true Jones fracture. But I haven't seen you or your foot, so I cannot advise you as to what I think appropriate for you. The valid function of forums such as this is for educational purposes and the discussion of GENERAL and not CASE SPECIFIC topics.
     
  12. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hi! I was just going to post my positive story when I came across this thread. I got my Jones Fracture on 7/30/10, which is exactly 4 weeks tomorrow and the foot specialist took me off of the crutches today! I still have to wear the boot for 4 more weeks, then go back for another xray, but he said everything looks good. I still have days where there is no pain, then sometimes it just feels sore and he said that is normal.

    Like everyone else, I read all of the horror stories on the internet and had myself convinced that it wasn't going to heal. I also thought "well, the people with positive experiences probably don't write on there." Just wanted to give some encouragement to any new victims!

    I am a runner and he said that in the future I will be able to run just like I used to.
    Good luck everyone!
     
  13. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Hello all,
    I am the original poster at the top of this thread and wanted to give an update to my sad situation. I broke my foot (jones fracture) June 13th. At 6 weeks (July 28th) I saw the doc who said it was still broken, he re-casted my foot with instructions to pwb heel only and to come back in 4 more weeks. That 4 weeks was up (Aug 25th) and it was still broken! This is now 10 weeks post-break and I have been re-casted a 3rd time for an additional four weeks. I will see my ortho again on sep 22. In hopes that I have more progress. The ortho said my fracture lines at least seem a little softer now and there may even be some bridging of bone but not enough to be removed from the cast. He said in 4 weeks if it is not showing more signs of healing he will order a ct scan. At that point if he does not find positive healing he will order surgery. From what he says, at 14 weeks post injury (which I will be by sep) you should know if the injury will heal or not. He said 3 months is sort of a magic number of healing time. Anyway, I really hope to not have surgery, but I mostly hope to be out of the cast asap. Btw I haven't had any pain whatsoever so I doubt pain is an indication of healing. Hope eveyone is healing well.
     
  14. Gimpy79

    Gimpy79 Guest

    I have a really positive story. I sustained a Jones Fracture on SAT Aug 14th. I went to the doc & since I reported NO PAIN (weird I know) I was put in a weird orthopedic sandal, sometimes called a post op shoe. They didn't even give me crutches at the docs office. I was told to let the pain be my guide. So since I had no pain, I walked on it, gingerly of course, and with a slight limp. After posting here, the FOOT DOC (the admin for this forum) suggested that I might not have a TRUE Jones Fracture because the treatment chosen by my doctor was rather cavalier. As the days passed, my foot felt better & better. A 10days after the fracture I was walking in stiff-soled gym shoes & took my dog (a yellow lab) for a walk (only around the block)! Exactly 14days after the fracture I went to a wedding & wore flat dress shoes with NO PAIN! (no dancing though) I have not taken ANY pain meds since the 3rd day after the fracture. NONE! I went back to the doc yesterday & I am showing signs of healing after 17 days! I called my doc out & asked- IS THIS A TRUE JONES FRACTURE because all I have heard about them is how painful & tough to heal they can be. He looked at my xrays and said YES, I have a TRUE JONES fracture. Today marks the 18th day after my fracture & I can walk normally while bare footed on the carpet. I am supplementing my diet with extra calcium, vitamin K & Lysine & using some homeopathic methods, but other than that, I am not altering my life for this fracture by much. This is my FIRST EVER broken bone & I am thankful it’s not that bad.
    Happy healing ;-)
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2010
  15. 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, OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
    ***********************************************
    I can't tell you that you did or did not sustain a Jone's fracture, nor do I know if there were any extenuating circumstances and I cannot say that you will or will not have good results, but in my opinion, the treatment you have detailed does not meet the generally recognized standard of care for such an injury and therefore I personally would not be convinced of that diagnosis unless I saw the x-rays.

    BTW . . . This forum does not have a moderator. I post just like everyone else
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2010
  16. Fiona

    Fiona Guest

    Awaiting prognosis

    Hi all,
    I have my xrays and am awaiting my cast after swelling reduces. Obviously, no expert, but would like to say how fabulous all of this thread has been- knowing the good, bad, mistakes and misconceptions is completely helpful in going forward. Thanks everyone for posting.
    Fingers crossed for an avulsion.
     
  17. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Oh my... No question mine is a "real Jones Fracture"... Was beginning to think my Dr was treating me too conservatively... But think in the long run probably not. I am 6 weeks in.. Had an xray the other day and no sign of healing yet. Dr said that was not uncommon for this fracture. Was in boot first week for swelling, then a hard cast. Just got it removed to fly on an airplane .. Dr was worried about blood clots..back in boot, but will go back in cast when I return. This is going to be a long healing process, but I have a great Dr at Kaiser and wants to do it right. I am appaled at some posts that their Dr spends no time with them or doesn't even show them the xray!! Anytime I may have a question, I just email my Dr and he always answers in at least 24 hours! Not sure I could handle all if this without a supportive Dr!! Good luck to all of you.. And to me!!
     
  18. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    My 15 year old son suffered a Jones fracture back on December 8, 2010. He spent 6 weeks in a cast, and has been in a walking boot ever since. His fracture has still not healed, but he was finally able to lose his crutches this week and hopefully when we go back in another 4 weeks, it will be well enough to lose the boot. So here we are over 2 months with another month to go.. Those of you posting you were fine within a week, 14 days.. You are very lucky people, and must have superb healing capabilites!! I'd think a teenager would heal a lot faster than an adult, but I guess each case is different!!
     
  19. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    I sustained my jones fx oct 22 and was casted until a month ago. for the past month i have been in a boot and just yesterday i saw my doc. he said i can try to walk without boot half the day and gradually wean myself out of the boot. he does not want to do surgery...the fx is stilll there on xray but i have minimal pain to palpation and virually no pain with ambulation. i have been using a bone stimulator as well...quite the vacation from work!
     
  20. Unregistered

    Unregistered Guest

    Re: the "vacation" from work -- tell me about it! I'm going on 4 months now with no end in sight and I didn't even have a Jones fracture! (tendons can cause more problems than bones, I've found out...)
     
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