I fell yesterday. I thought it was just a simple sprain at worst because the pain wasn't bad at all. I mean, I can't put any weight on it without pain, but there's no constant pain or discomfort.
Today I went in and the doctor said it was a Jones fracture and I would have to get a cast, not even a boot. I don't understand how it can be that bad when I literally am feeling no pain.
I'm a college student. I work and go to school full time, I'm about to graduate with 2 degrees, I have to take my GRE in about a month and I'm so overloaded with work I don't know how I'm going to survive with this for 6-8 weeks. I can't even get myself a drink of water. Is it possible that it could get better within 4 weeks, at least? This is unbelievably embarrassing and I can't ask for help for 8 weeks.
Is it better to request surgery? Will that have a shorter recovery time?
I've had disabling endometriosis since I was 12 and my ability to sense pain has become very dull (I hurt myself just about every day without noticing and finding the bruise/wounds later)
Is it possible that it's just me not sensing the pain or maybe is this just not a bad fracture?
Is surgery faster? I'm not afraid to have surgery, I've had numerous surgeries before for endo. I just want it healed.
I sustained a Jones fracture, too, yesterday (1 March). I was walking on a railway station platform, and was trying to see the board with departure times, and I stepped over some uneven pavement (there was a square block with a manhole cover protruding about an inch and a half from the rest of the pavement) that I didn't see because I wasn't looking down at my feet, and I guess my foot was partially on/off this unevenness, and my ankle buckled outwards and I felt a sharp pain and then I fell over on my right side (and all this while wearing sensible shoes, mind you!) Thankfully, I had a heavy coat to break my fall. I kind of hobbled onto the train, in pain, and put my foot up on the seat in front of me. There wasn't any swelling and I felt the pain subside somewhat, but it was still too painful to put my foot down flat on the floor.
When I got to my destination, after trying to hobble a bit, there was no way I could go any further. A Good Samaritan passed by and offered to help, and since there is a walk-in clinic in the train station, he ran over there and got me a wheelchair. At the clinic, they x-rayed my foot and said it's fractured. I could see exactly where it was (5th Metatarsal) and it was a clean break with no dislocation. They sent me to the hospital emergency room, and although I had to wait for several hours, they brought me a small stool with a cushion and an ice pack and I noticed some localized swelling.
Once I got in to see the doctors, they confirmed it was a Jones fracture and said it could take time to heal (at least 6-8 weeks, possibly longer) because of the poor blood flow to that area. He said sometimes surgery is necessary, but decided to treat it conservatively.
I got a hard plaster of Paris cast which has immobilized the foot, a pair of crutches and have been told to stay off the foot for the next week, at which time I have to go back to the hospital for them to check it. They also gave me a blood thinner to help prevent any thrombosis or embolism. I haven't felt any pain, except if there's movement (like sometimes when I hop while using the crutches, which are a real pain to use!) and I haven't felt my leg or foot swell inside the cast (cast doesn't feel tight or anything). I guess that's a good sign??? So I haven't taken any pain killers so far. I slept on the sofa with my afflicted foot/leg raised as I understand raising the leg helps the blood flow ??? And I also keep it raised while sitting at the computer.
I also used my rolling desk chair a few times to get things done in the kitchen because it's so difficult to do with the crutches. I may ask my husband to buy a smaller one from IKEA that's easier to maneuver.
I've started taking some supplements (with food):
Calcium-Magnesium (1000 mgs Calcium, 500 mgs Magnesium)
Vitamin D3 (I have a slight deficiency, so I take a high dose per doctor's orders) 6000 IUs
Glucosamine, Chondroitin MSM (1000, 500, 500 mgs, respectively)
L-Arginine (to help blood flow) 1000 mgs
Zinc 30 mgs
Not sure if there's something else I should take. Maybe Arnica? I understand resting it and keeping weight off it are paramount, and that healing times are variable.
But I totally sympathize with you, because this "break" couldn't have come at a worse time for me as well. I was made redundant at the end of January, and although I am being paid unemployment benefits, I have been job-hunting and yesterday, before this accident happened, I had been at a job interview where moving to the next stage (eg., offer of employment) was being discussed and we talked about a start date of early April. Since I am very interested in the job (as we all know good jobs are hard to find), I don't want this accident to jeopardize my chances here of being hired as it's not a done deal until contracts have been signed.
I can only hope and pray that because I got it treated pretty quickly, have started supplementing and can, basically, stay off of it for the next four weeks that it will heal well enough for me to at least graduate to a walking bootie.
Anyway, good luck to you, too, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Last edited by latigresse; 2nd March 2012 at 05:33 PM.
I'm sorry to hear about your experience as well. This ruins the ability to get around and perform normally, especially when you're at a critical point in time!
I was lucky enough that my boss gave me two weeks off from work and my spring break from classes is this week. I'm still in a splint because I do not want a plaster cast and am trying to get a second opinion so I can get a walking boot instead.
There's no more swelling, just bruising and already almost no pain. I'm going to see an orthopedic podiatrist (I think that's how you would say this) who specializes in feet. If she doesn't give me a walking boot and thinks it could take longer than 4 weeks to heal, I'm going to request surgery.
I looked at my X-rays. I took anat/phys for a year and I'm not 100% convinced it really is a "Jones Fracture" since apparently they get over diagnosed when really what's going on is the much more common avulsion fracture. This is why I'm going to see a specialist instead of the Urgent Care doctor. I've just gotten some very, very bad experiences with doctors who have no idea what they're doing so I always say now to find a specialist and ask questions!
I think my bones may have been weakened from taking a hormonal medication for endometriosis last year, Lupron Depot. I was told it could make my bones weaker. I've also been taking Vit D + Calcium supplements to help.
Thank you for your message and more details about your condition. I am glad that you will get a break from work and school and have a chance to give your foot a rest. As I am on garden leave after being made redundant, I don't have to go anyplace and am grateful that I have the chance to rest, too -- that is, at least, until I'm given a firm job offer and have to start working either at the beginning or middle of April.
I did see my x-rays, and as I recall, the break appears to be consistent with what I've seen depicted as a Jones fracture And, as I mentioned in my previous post, I am not in any pain. But I'm not expecting any miracles.
I am also considering asking about surgery when I go back to the hospital this week. Despite reading that 75% of these fractures heal within 2-3 months, I am concerned about the risk that it could take longer to heel as some have described here (more than two months), and I simply CANNOT stay housebound or bedridden for months on end! Of course, i have no idea at this point what the next examination will reveal, but given all the stories I've read here and elsewhere about non-union of bone with these fractures, it makes me wonder if the surgical route might be the best way to go to hasten the recovery time.
I'm also not thrilled about having to take the blood thinner and am concerned about the potential for dangerous side effects. I haven't taken anymore L-Arginine after the first day because I read that in combination with the blood thinner, it could cause an increased risk of hemorrhage
I hope you get some answers from the orthopaedic podiatrist. Please keep me posted.
Last edited by latigresse; 4th March 2012 at 10:50 AM.
I was running up the stairs on March 1, 2013 and happen to miss a step and trip. I caught myself, regrouped, and continued running up the stairs. By the time I reached the 3rd flight my left foot was killing me. i started limping and made it through 7 hours of work. I kept thinking and praying that it was nothing and would feel better. Well, to no avail. I couldn't walk without horrible pain and faced facts and went tp the doctor. Long story short, I was told I had a "Jones Fracture", I was given a big black boot and a pair of crutches. I was told 6-8 weeks of absolutely on weight bearing and with luck I would be able to put partial weight on it then!!!!! OMG!!!
I went back to the doctor a week later and was offered the option of surgery. I was told that it would heal faster and be stronger in the long run. Well, I opted for surgery and I go on Wed march 13. I have watched the operation on youtube and know that I will be in pain for the first few days, just from watching the operation.
Any thoughts???? The doctor told me I would heal either way, with or without surgery. It was just that it would be a faster healing with the surgery. I am on day 10 of not bearing any weight on my left foot. I rented a knee scooter which is so much better than crutches. I am a 50 years old female with no health issues, active and going out of my mind. I could not get the hang of crutches and was doing my body more harm.
What a mess! It sure is nice to read that I'm not alone in this.
The similarities between us are amazing, but a year apart! I'm also female, and sustained a Jones fracture of my left foot on March 1, 2012, and I was also 50 years old at the time.
I wrote about my experience above, and in other posts on this site. I am fine now, thankfully, and back to normal. I couldn't even put weight on mine when it happened. So I went to the hospital immediately, and was casted the same day.
I didn't have any surgery. The doctors said since the fracture was nondisplaced and I had no underlying health issues, they didn't see the need for surgery. I was casted for exactly eight weeks. During that time, I did have a couple of follow-up visits to the hospital for xrays to see how things were going and they also changed the cast a couple of times. I was also allowed partial weight bearing (15 kgs) after the first week, because the doctors said putting a bit of weight on it will help stimulate the bone growth.
Once the cast came off around the end of April, the foot and leg were stiff like a piece of wood and it was VERY hard to walk. I had no flexibility and the left leg had atrophied from not being used. I had to go for physical therapy. I continued using the crutches after the cast came off just for stability, but over the course of the following few weeks, I decreased the frequency until I didn't need them anymore.
I had some swelling of the foot and leg that would come and go, and tried to keep it elevated as much as possible (though it wasn't easy sitting at a desk). The physical therapy proved to be REALLY critical to the healing process, and hastened the disappearance of the swelling. The doctors had told me the swelling could continue for up to six months, but by August or so, it was pretty much gone, and I had my last physical therapy session in early September. I also took foot baths in Epsom salts, which helped, I think, and wore support stockings for awhile, too.
I walked a lot and went back to the gym in August, which was the first time in almost six months since the break that I was able to work out. I did some exercises with an airstep to help with stability.
I know EXACTLY how you feel having been in the same place a year ago, and having to sit home with my leg up, unable to go anywhere and going crazy, and I also HATED those crutches. They really took a toll on my back, arms and shoulders.
I can only say do exactly as the doctors tell you, and just take good care of yourself. I honestly don't know how well it would work out with surgery, if it would heal quicker or not. I think a lot depends on how well you tolerate the procedure and everybody's different.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Last edited by latigresse; 10th March 2013 at 09:24 PM.
I'm back! Had my Jones Fracture surgery on Wed March 13, 2013. Two days ago. My foot was extremely sore yesterday March 14. But today March 15, not that bad. Didn't even take pain meds today. I go for my post-op appointment on Wed March 20, 2013. Probably will be told the same, no weight, no walking and lots more time, ugh!!! My foot is wrapped in an ace bandage of some sort and I'm in my black boot. Which by the away I have come to love. The boot holds my foot still and tight, so comforting. The only good part of this is that it is still winter and the weather outside is chilly.
How did your appointment go? I also had surgery too. Do you wear pnuematic walking boots? Do you fill in air or just wear them? Are you back walking with weight on it or still non weight bearing. Please respond.
After reading so many horror stories, and being completely depressed about my injury, I figured I'd share some good news with everyone.
I sustained a Jones fracture on 2/19/13 (today is 3/29/13) after landing on the side of my foot stepping off a step. It stopped hurting after a week and I could put weight on it (although I was ordered to be completely non-weight bearing).
I struggled with following the doctor's orders and have to admit I put more weight on it than I should have around the house. At my 4 week checkup, there were very minimal signs of healing and I was told to keep using the crutches. Additionally, I still couldn't drive and was going absolutely crazy.
Today I went to another specialist to get a second opinion. He said that while my fracture is still healing, to treat it like normal. So now, after 5 1/2 weeks I can walk, drive, etc. I can even walk the dogs! Of course I'll keep the boot to wear if it starts getting sore, but other than that, I've been given the go ahead to get back to normal.
I just wanted to share this because of how depressed I got after weeks of not being able to do anything and reading horror stories about Jones fractures on the internet.
There is hope...good luck everyone!
thank you for a positive story. I did mine 5 weeks abo today getting off a bus and go back next Friday for my next orthopaedic appointment. I have good days where i think it has improved greatly and then i go to work for couple of days in a row (i have to commute into central London using the underground!) and i'm in pain again and get quite down. I'm going crazy having to ask for help all the time - can't even get my skinny latte by myself on the way to work!! positive thoughts needed :-)
How did your appointment go? I also had surgery too. Do you wear pnuematic walking boots? Do you fill in air or just wear them? Are you back walking with weight on it or still non weight bearing. Please respond.
Thanks.
It is now April 3 and I am still in the walking boot. I obtained my Jone Fracture on Feb 28, had surgery on march 13 and now I am putting a little weight on my foot. I must confess, I'm probably putting more weight on it than I should but It feels fine. I wear the boot all day and elevate my foot when I can. I walk mostly flat footed , not heal to toe, just flat. The only complaint I have is that my ankle is now a little sore. Most likely form favoring the foot. It does feel good to be mobil. I know I still have a long road to go but little by little. I also am using a bone stimulator 2 times a day for 20 minutes. I have not had any x-rays since I started stimulation, lets hope it really works.
It is now April 3 and I am still in the walking boot. I obtained my Jone Fracture on Feb 28, had surgery on march 13 and now I am putting a little weight on my foot. I must confess, I'm probably putting more weight on it than I should but It feels fine. I wear the boot all day and elevate my foot when I can. I walk mostly flat footed , not heal to toe, just flat. The only complaint I have is that my ankle is now a little sore. Most likely form favoring the foot. It does feel good to be mobil. I know I still have a long road to go but little by little. I also am using a bone stimulator 2 times a day for 20 minutes. I have not had any x-rays since I started stimulation, lets hope it really works.
good luck
I forgot to add, I do not fill my boot with air. It is just a big black ugly boot!
thanks that helps to know that i am not the only one using it without air.
doc has asked me to sleep without shoes and to remove while resting, this is after 3 weeks.
I fractured my 5th Metatarsal 4 weeks ago. I am not sure if it is a Jones Fracture but on the Xray it does look like a fracture line across the entire base of the bone. There is no displacement.
I have been on the cast and crutches, non weight bearing these four weeks. Because I was traveling, the orthotist made two cuts along the sides of my cast and wrapped it with bandage so that it could expand a little while I was flying. That also made it possible for me to remove it for bathing, which I had been doing since after 2 weeks in the cast. I hope that was OK. I see the specialist today and hope to see enough bone healing to get into the walking boot.
I am just over 4 weeks into my 5th metatarsal break- non weight bearing, in a boot, with crutches. I had my first good nights sleep last night only waking once. The swelling is still very prominent and I get odd pain every now and again. My bone is slightly displaced and on the last x-ray it was identical to the x-ray I had the day I broke it.
My doctor has not mentioned surgery but I am meant to be flying overseas (from Australia to America) and wondering if I will be able to? The trip is booked for 5 weeks time.
I am concerned that there has been no healing at this stage and whether there will ever be a union of the bones without surgery. Has anyone had a similar break without surgery?
Thank you anyone for your help I am greatly frustrated and stressed!
After reading so many horror stories, and being completely depressed about my injury, I figured I'd share some good news with everyone.
I sustained a Jones fracture on 2/19/13 (today is 3/29/13) after landing on the side of my foot stepping off a step. It stopped hurting after a week and I could put weight on it (although I was ordered to be completely non-weight bearing).
I struggled with following the doctor's orders and have to admit I put more weight on it than I should have around the house. At my 4 week checkup, there were very minimal signs of healing and I was told to keep using the crutches. Additionally, I still couldn't drive and was going absolutely crazy.
Today I went to another specialist to get a second opinion. He said that while my fracture is still healing, to treat it like normal. So now, after 5 1/2 weeks I can walk, drive, etc. I can even walk the dogs! Of course I'll keep the boot to wear if it starts getting sore, but other than that, I've been given the go ahead to get back to normal.
I just wanted to share this because of how depressed I got after weeks of not being able to do anything and reading horror stories about Jones fractures on the internet.
There is hope...good luck everyone!
Hi-Just a quick story to maybe give some Jones Fracture sufferers some hope. I fell down some stairs on 3/18/13 and broke my 5th met. (which was diagnosed as a Jones Fx). I spent one month totally non-weight bearing in a cast. At my one month x-ray there was no signs of healing, which left me a little discouraged. Nonetheless, my ortho told me I had to keep the cast and walking shoe, but could ditch the crutches when I was comfortable. I was a little weary as most of treatments (and medical studies) I've read online frown on weight bearing so early.
At week 8 (5/16/13) I received another set of x-rays, this time showing significant healing. I no longer have a cast or even a walking boot. I am only required to wear a stiff soled shoe and can ditch that in a few weeks when I'm comfortable with it. With the exception of the first week, I have had absolute no pain whatsoever.
As far as my own care, I followed my doctor's orders to a T,and in addition (not at his suggestion) took a multi-vitamins every day, a 600 mg calcium supplement one to two times a day, ate more green leafy vegetables, reduced my caffeine intake (I do not smoke and rarely drink) and totally refrained from NSAIDs and any other pain killer (but honestly, they were not necessary anyway).
So, there is hope for a quick, non-surgical recovery from a Jones Fracture. Best of luck to everyone going through this, I know how frustrating it can be!
Jones Fracture but painless... heal time?
And, as I mentioned in my previous post, I am not in any pain. But I'm not expecting any miracles.
Re: Jones Fracture but painless... heal time?
Re: Jones Fracture but painless... heal time?
Re: Jones Fracture but painless... heal time?
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