Calcaneus Fracture, Fifth Metatarsal Protusion Pain - Foot Problems Message Board

BARRYALPHA · 04-20-2004, 04:39 PM

Hi

I had a comminuted intra-articular calcaneus fracture with a collapse of the Bohler's angle about 7 years ago from a fall off the roof shoveling snow. I wear an orthotic that was prescribed. I am also a recovering alcoholic (8 years) with neuropathy, so I am dealing with some constant pain. I take neurotin (4200 mg/daily).

As a result of the fracture, the base of my fifth metatarsal protrodes from the side of my foot. This spot is very tender and very painful if I bump it when the orthotic is not in place.

I started a yoga course and could not sit cross-legged because of the pressure on the side of my foot from the floor. I am tired of the pain.

I looked a picture of the bones of the foot. Can this bone protrosion be cut off, fused or what.

click1 · 04-20-2004, 07:18 PM

Hi Barryalpha,
Was it operated on?
Click1

BARRYALPHA · 04-20-2004, 08:00 PM

hi click1

no, it was a closed cast, but I was wodering if some type of surgery now could help me. I am looking for some info to take with me when I see a foot specialist.

FootDox · 04-21-2004, 09:22 AM

Barry,

The base of the 5th metatarsal normally protrudes outwards (everyone take off a shoe and look at the outside of your foot. The protrusion midway from front to back is the 5th met "styloid process"). The peroneus brevis tendon attaches to this protrusion, and thus the bump can't simply be cut off.

See a foot specialist for an x-ray if you haven't had one for a while.

Calcaneus fx can heal with excess bone formation, which may be the cause. Intra arcticulal calc fx generally have a "lateral wall blow out", meaning the entire outer edge of the calcanues fracture into many pieces (like an eggshell) and as they heal, these can protrude or even put pressure on the peroneus brevis tendon, that attaches to the 5th met styloid process.

Or, the bone may have healed crooked, making that foot lean outwards or inwards.

See a specialist.

BARRYALPHA · 04-21-2004, 12:20 PM

Hi Foot Dox

Thanks for the information. I have lived with the pain beause I thought that there was nothing that could be done. The last time my foot was professionally looked at was when I had my orthotic refitted because the swelling had gone down. I have causually talked to a few people but I really did not persue it like I should have. I forgot, I did see one foot doctor (podiatrist??) but he was the only one in my HMO network at the time and he was useless as far as I was concerned.

You were right about breaking like an eggshell, the doctor who did the casting said my ankle looked like a gernade exploded.

You really explained things good and I can do some more research before I see a specialist.

Are the any specific qualifications that I should look for in the specialist that I select.

Barryalpha