foot fracture -- just began bearing weight again? - Foot Problems Message Board

beanstock · 07-30-2008, 02:19 PM

I've been on crutches for the last 8 weeks, first in a cast and then in a walking boot that I wasn't allowed to walk on. I have a navicular foot fracture. Saw orthopedic doctor yesterday and she has given me permission to bear weight on the foot now, as long as I'm wearing the boot.

Today is my first day, and granted I've done a bit of walking (the restroom is a loooonnnggg hallway away from my office). I'm seeing some increased swelling -- not a lot, but definitely some. No increased pain or tenderness. I'm wondering if this is normal, to swell more once you start bearing weight again. I ask b/c the doctor warned me that navicular fractures are tricky to heal, and that sometimes they just don't, so we'll be watching for increased pain and swelling over the next weeks. Should I worry yet?

janewhite1 · 07-30-2008, 02:30 PM

By bearing weight, you mean you are putting some of the weight on the foot and some on the crutches, right?

beanstock · 07-30-2008, 02:34 PM

No, I've actually been given permission to ditch the crutches and walk in the boot. My doctor is encouraged by the overall decrease in swelling and the lack of pain, so she thinks things are going well, but she warned me that these often fail to heal on their own. She also said the x-ray won't really show healing for awhile, so we're watchng for pain and swelling in the meantime.

forevergimpy · 07-30-2008, 05:15 PM

bean-
I would be hesitant to go from 8 weeks with no weight bearing to full weight bearing. That's quite an adjustment for a foot even with the protection of the boot. If it were me, I'd ease into it. That way you will get a clear picture of the results. If you have no pain when bearing weight I'd transition from NWB, to WB with 2 crutches, then down to one crutch then finally without any support.
I am recovering from surgery to my navicular and cuboid (a spur had actually fused them together) and my transition to walking without support (even in the boot) has been slower than I would have wanted. My doc said just today that part of the problem is that the boot isn't as supportive to that area of the foot as a fiberglass cast would be. I opted for the boot anyway so I could take if off to increase my ROM and clean my leg. I guess it's the price I'm going to pay. Good luck to you.

Hankster13 · 08-01-2008, 07:56 AM

Beanstock,
I am not sure that you want to hear my story. I am at 13 months and counting with my fracture....
As is typical for this fracture, lived with it untreated for months. I started to tape my foot in July so that i could do karate. I had it looked at by an athletic therapist who treated it like a soft tissue injury. Finally had it diagnosed the last week of October. tried 9 weeks of NWB in a boot. When it was obvious that that wasn't going to heal it i was scheduled for surgery, which i had in Feb. Two screws inserted. 6 more weeks of NWB in a cast this time. For a total of 5 months of NWB and crutches. UGH!
Had my cast off and was told i "might need a cane for a few weeks" and "no you shouldn't need PT". I chose to do PT anyway (smart) and went straight to a cane that day (less smart).
At 12 weeks post op, the xray showed no healing. at 20 weeks post op the fracture line was beginning to appear "fuzzy". So some healing has begun. I go again in just over 3 more weeks for another x-ray.
So the fact that healing is finally taking place (7-8 months later) is good. But i still have issues with my foot. There is always some swelling over my arch. I can not push off with my foot, my gait is affected, i tend to walk on the outside of my fooot for relief, and with the exception of two rare good days, cannont rise onto the ball of my foot. There is also pain, when i walk always, and worse if i have been more active. Some of it seems to be "bone" pain and some seems to be "soft tissue" pain, almost like a sprain on the top of my foot. I am tender to touch over my navicular.
I am somewhat active now (FAR below my normal level of activity) have been going to the gym 4-5 times a week since before my surgery, can walk about 45 minutes with the dog, but suffer the next day for it, and have done a few karate classes and then suffer for several days for it. I feel that progress in how my foot feels plateaued about three months ago. i have as yet been unsucessful in getting my surgeon to pay attention to my concerns, he just keeps saying give it a couple of months and come back for another xray. I will be armed with a long list of written questions at my next appointment.

I am sorry that this very long ramble is not all that encouraging. However as you probalbly know from reading medical journals on line, thjere are plenty of cases wghere the navicular heals and people return to full activity.