Hey,
I suffered an 'incomplete' mid-shaft fracture to the 5th metatarsal on my left foot on April 1st.
My doctor didn't cast it, rather, he has given me a removable bottom L-shaped cast with an ace bandage, and a removable cast boot. He has told me that walking on it is good.
Anyways, it has gotten "much" better. I walk fairly naturally in the boot, or as natural as you can. I still can't put weight on it without the L shaped cast, but WITH it, I can walk with minimal pain. As per doc's instructions, I have been using the cast boot.
Anyways, I've read so many conflicting opinions on this type of fracture that I'd like to hear some experiences from other people. My doc seems competent, but he makes me nervous because I'm away from home at college and I'm not used to dealing with this hospital at all.
I'm 18 and in pretty good shape...
How long do you think before I can walk on it again?
Has the doctor prescribed the right method of treatment?
Is there anything i can do to speed recovery?

Thanks,
Reg

I had a sort of similar break 8 or 9 years ago while at college. I fell from a bunk bed. Anyway, I did get a regular cast put on for 4 1/2 weeks - but I could walk on it after the pain mostly went away. HOwever my 5th met fracture was complete across the bone, so maybe that made a differece. After 4 and half weeks, the bone was three quarters healed and the cast was taken off - but I don't know if that was smart, because I think if it had had a chance to heal a little longer, I might not have had the achiness I've had since then in that break sight. Last summer I fractured the same bone again but at the base near my ankle - it took 7 weeks for it to heal, and the doctor was conservative with letting me out of my boot too early - but I have felt very little out of that fracture site since last fall unlike my previous break.

Bump

Anyone else? Please?

I just found this thread.....I fractured my 5th metatarsal back in July 2004. I have diabetes and that was causing the healing process to slow down. My doctor ordered a bone stimulator in Oct 2004 for me to wear at night. After realizing that the stimulator was not helping, he did surgery in Jan 2005 to insert a screw into the break in hopes of the bones uniting, but they did not. In July 2005 my doctor did another surgery, taking bone from my tibia and placing it around the break and screw. My last appointment was in Aug 2005, he said he could see a little bit of change, which relieved me greatly. A year of short leg casts and walking boots was getting old. I have another appointment with him Sept 20th and Im hoping for more good news. But, the last couple of days Ive been having what I would describe as "hot shots of pain" in the area of the break. They last just for a few seconds, any longer and I couldnt stand it. Anyone have any idea what might be causing the pain?