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5th metatarsal fracture

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Posted 1/29/2008 10:03 PM (GMT 0)

eyes  I recently fractured my 5th metatarsal after my weak ankle gave way and my foot rolled right over. I had my lower leg in plaster for 6 weeks and was getting around ok indoors without crutches and weight bearing. The cast came off last week and I'm now back to using crutches indooors, as well as outdoors and partial weightbearing. I'm finding this very frustrating and upsetting. My foot is still very painful along the outside (lateral) and i'm not sure what I should be doing/not doing and how much, if any, pain I should be experiencing? Has anyone had a similar experience?

Posted 1/30/2008 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
If your lower leg and foot were immobilzed for 6 weeks, when that cast comes off, your leg and foot muscles have lost significant strength. Usually, physical therapy is ordered to help the person rehabilitate the muscles and joints. Make sure you wear very supportive shoes to help keep the foot steady.

I suggest you call and ask if the doctor will order physical therapy to help you do proper rehab. Is that possible?

(Currently wearing a boot cast for a broken fibula. Scheduled for PT if and when the bone heals. If the bone does not heal, facing surgery to remove the piece.)
Posted 1/30/2008 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
eyes  Hello Ides,

thanks for the reply.

I am waiting for an appt to arrive in the post as my consultant requested an 'urgent' appt for physio for me - physio appts seem to be like gold dust at the moment (I live in UK).

I know from previous experience ( lower leg cast for injured ankle some years ago) that my muscles etc will be stiff and weak, that I can cope with etc. I'd like to know if I should still be experiencing so much pain in the fracture area - it seems to be a common thing with 5th met #, that they can be slow to heal and painful for a long time. My ankle is also very painful.

I'm not sure how much I should be doing generally, ie walking, standing, general house chores etc. I vacuumed the lounge one day last week and my foot was agony afterwards.

I was told not to drive for at least 4 weeks and no going to the gym (not that I do - I have kidney disease - lphs - and unwell a lot of the time, in severe pain) for 4 weeks, but nothing on every day living.

I think I am just being impatient!

 

Posted 1/30/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
PS - I can't get my shoes on!

 

Posted 1/31/2008 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like your trying too much. Until you start PT you should probably doing only what doesn't cause an increase in pain. You may need to wear an AFO temporarily and may need to purchase shoes you can wear because you almost certainly should not be without shoes even in the house until your healing is further along.
Posted 1/31/2008 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I broke my little toe last year i just wore my soft house shoe & reg.shoe on other foot.I couldn't get my shoe on either......Where thare's a will there's a way.......
Posted 1/31/2008 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
If you are feeling pain, it is your body's way of saying STOP IT!! I agree that you are probably trying to do too much too quickly. Do only what does not hurt, try pushing it a little bit more after a few days, then a little bit more....but STOP if it increases your pain and just let your body heal itself. You definitely don't want to cause more problems for yourself down the road.

By the way...I should have prefaced all of this with WELCOME!! You've come to a great place. We all understand one another and are fighting the same fight, just wanting a tiny piece of normalcy.
Posted 1/31/2008 9:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hello everyone and many thanks to everyone who has replied to my posting!

I now realise that I am trying to do too much, too soon. I think I already knew that, but just wanted someone to tell me so!

I have been coming on the HW website for about a year now, but because of my kidney disorder (lphs)! I know only too well about pain - I am regularly on Dihydrocodeine, Tramadol and Pethidine (Demerol), for kidney pain and renal colic.

I'm still waiting for my physio appt but, doing my own gentle exercises.

I gave myself a 'good talking to' and now trying very hard to take things easy! My husband had to go away, on business, yesterday but he's back tonight. He is so helpful etc and I miss him when he has to be away from home. I don't work, because of my kidney disorder, so breed and show pedigree Korat cats. I'm finding it difficult to look after my stud boy - he has his own quarters in the garden - so my husband and son help me as much as they can. I have a queen (Lali) and her 2 week old kittens, in my bedroom - they are so cute!

Thanks again for your replies and any are most welcome.

Helen xxx  

      

eyes  

Posted 1/31/2008 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Awww, the cats sound so cuddly!

Just remember to take it easy, it sounds like you will now. Try just twisting your ankle in little circles both ways, then point your toes and flex your foot. Just a little at a time, but every little bit helps.
Posted 1/31/2008 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies!
I'm trying exericses that I was given with leg in cast.
Feels better today - managed to get downstairs, without crutches!
Posted 1/31/2008 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for replies!
Kittens are wonderful. They are 2 weeks old now, eyes open and crawling around!
If you want to know,please phone me.
Posted 2/1/2008 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
whoops, that last bit on my previous posting was a mistake! I meant to say if anyone would like to see photos of my cats/kits please have a look on my website: www.koorahkkoratsdirect.co.uk
Going to buy a pair of sturdy shoes that I can get my silly foot into! The only ones I can wear at the moment are soft summer shoes and no good with all the wet weather we're having!
I tried my outdoor shoes again today and got my foot into it but, it was very tight and uncomfortable - made me feel dizzy!
Excuse my ignorance sjkly, but what is an AFO?
Posted 2/15/2008 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hey I have a question for all of you. I also broke my 5th metatarsal like two weeks ago an know I have a cast. So my question is that if any of you guys suffer from pain or numbness in your toe while you had a cast or that is just me. Should i contact my physician. Please help me
Posted 2/15/2008 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I think some pain is normal, I don't know about the numbness tho. Are your toes normal color, by normal I mean not red or blue/purple (other than bruising)...if so, or they are cold, your foot could be swelling in the cast. You can probably contact the nurse and explain what you feel and she will know what you should do.
Posted 2/15/2008 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
well my toes are regular color when i have my foot laing straight on pillow, but when i have my foot hanging thats when they turn purple but that about it. Oh!! thanks for your respond it really helped me.
Posted 2/15/2008 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Well, your foot does swell more when in a dependent position (hanging down).... Do your symptoms of pain and numbness worsen then, too? I would contact the nurse just to be sure your healing is going as planned. In the meantime, elevate and ice!!!
Posted 2/15/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much what a relive you been a great help to me thanks.
Posted 2/17/2008 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
hi again,
I had pain and numbness when in plaster for 5th met # so i wouldn't worry too much. Keep your toes warm with a woolly sock!
Hope it heals quickly and well.

Well, it's 10 weeks since my 5th met# and 4 weeks since the cast came off. My physio referral got lost so, I'm still waiting!
I've been walking, trying with and without crutches. I noticed that I'm still not fully weight bearing and after walking my foot is swollen ands painful, even a short distance and even just pottering about in the house.
I keep getting 'the weepies' but apparently this is quite normal! I'm getting really frustrated - walking with a limp and not as quick as I want to is really getting me down. I know - patience! Just need to vent my feelings to people who understand - thanks!!
I just wonder how much longer it's going to be before I can walk properly?
Some people keep saying I should be ok by now and seem to think I'm making it up, shouldn't still be using crutches, trying to do more etc. It's really hurtful and then has me thinking 'well am I' ? When you feel down things like this upset you so much.

Hope you are all doing well at the moment.
Helen (koorahk)
PS the kittens are nearly 5 weeks old now and climbing onto our bed!
Posted 2/24/2008 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
eyes  Eventually got my physio appt last Friday. Have been referred back to #Clinic as foot and ankle very swollen and painful now - 5 weeks after cast off - after improvement during first 3 weeks after cast off.
Posted 2/24/2008 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Ohhh, then I am glad you are going back. It just really su**s when we take a step backwards in recovery... But sounds like you are on top of it, good for you.
Posted 2/26/2008 8:14 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I'm glad the physio referred me back to the #Clinic. I was rather surprised when I was discharged when cast taken off. Dr didn't even look at my foot! I thought he would've wanted to see me at least one more time, 4-6 weeks after, just to check all ok.

It's not quite as painful as it was on Friday, when I saw the physio, it's still swollen and swelling a lot more than it had been. There's some new bruising too.

I go to the Osteoporosis Clinic on Thursday - first appt. So, it will be interesting to see what they have to say.

Take care.
Posted 3/4/2008 11:30 PM (GMT 0)

Mochiah said...
eyes  hhh, then I am glad you are going back. It just really su**s when we take a step backwards in recovery... But sounds like you are on top of it, good for you.

Hi Mochiah!  I went back to the #Clinic this afternoon. Looks like I have a severely sprained ankle and soft tissue damage, from the original 5th met# accident, that hasn't resolved yet. So, I was given an Aircast Air-Stirrup Ankle Brace, to stop me going over on my ankle again and to help the ligaments heal. Plenty of rest and elevation, cold packs and limited weight bearing, using crutches etc, for another 3 weeks, until I see the physio again. If she's still not happy with how my foot/ankle looks, or it's not responding to physio, she can refer me back to the #Clinic again.

Has anyone else used an Aircast Air-Stirrup Ankle Brace (not the boot) and if so, how did you find it? I don't find it particularly easy to fit on tight enough to help any, without the top strap digging into my calf! Also, I can't wear it with ny of my own trainers (sneakers) so, I'm back to wearing my husband's! 

I really feel that I need some support for my foot as well. Anyway, I'll see how it goes over the next 2-3 weeks and how the physio goes too, on 22nd March.

I went to the Osteoporosis Clinic, last Friday and have to go for a Bone Scan, sometime in the next 6-10 weeks. Looks like I'm very susceptible to have it. Don't know if I'll be able to take the Calcium/Vit D supplements due to my kidney problem (LPHS) as my GFR is down to 75%. Have to see my GP and get renal function tests done again. I missed one in Decembe as I forgot about it due to the 5th met# etc! I'm supposed to have the tests done about every 12 weeks.

Helen x  eyes   

 

 

 

Posted 3/21/2008 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
eyes  Hi Everyone,

have had the Air Cast 2 weeks and it did help the ankle swelling go down. Wasn't able to wear it with my trainers, too uncomfortable so just put another sock over front of my foot and used crutches when out and about. |Felt as if foot and ankle improving.

However, yesterday, despite wearing Air cast my ankle swelled a bit but also my foot! It was very painful too and a lump appeared over # site and pain in forefoot again. When I got home I used cool pack, elevated leg etc but still swollen again later in day after theatre trip in evening. Did same again and also went to bed but this morning my foot was still swollen. My cat, Luca, walked over my forefoot and I yelled out as it hurt so much! It's been very painful all day, even though again I've been using cool packs, elevating leg, used Air cast when went out etc. It's painful over forefoot and side of foot, over # site. I just don't know what to do! My son said if it doesn't improve over next 2-3 days he's taking me to the ER (A & E, Casualty, in UK) and maybe they'll X-ray it again! I just don't want to seem a moaning peson etc!

The Air cast may have helped my ankle but it's not helping my foot! Foot feels a lot more comfortable if I put a  support bandage on it, like before I had the plaster cast and keep my weight off it either completely , or partially.

I can't drive now either I am sooooo fed up!! confused

Also one of the boy kittens died just over a week ago and I am very sad about that too - only 8 weeks old, he just stopped eating, suckling etc and faded away. he died in my arms.... sad

On a happier note, Happy Easter to you all.  :-) Helen xx

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