Could I really have had a broken bone in my foot for four years???

[jerin]

Ok, so for the past four years (at least) I've had a pain in the side of my left foot. Sometimes when I move it, it feels like it clicks out of place, ridiculously painful, then eases but remains achy for a while. For a long time I was unable to walk in heels, go up onto tiptoes, I can now but have to be careful. Even just walking at a quickened pace (faster than a toddler stroll) starts the pain off. If I concentrate on it, its usually a low level pain, I have sometimes woken in the night from the pain.
I don't remember hurting it or injuring it.

When it was first hurting I was prescribed anti inflammatories. Then sent for an X-ray which showed nothing. Physio left me in agony, and exacerbated it. I was then given insoles which have helped support my foot but the problem still remains.....

So, I've now been referred for an MRI - possible fracture... Is it really possible that I've been walking on a fractured foot for years?? Does anyone know the treatment I'll need if it does show up a fractured 5th metatarsal??

I'm not medical but rather than having a broken bone I would imagine it's healed/fused back together in the wrong position hence the pain? And if that's the case then it would need to be operated on I would have thought, to reposition it

Arrrghhhh...... Sounds painful and potentially several weeks off work..... But really don't want the daily pain anymore....

Thanks for your reply..... I'm guessing I'll wait several weeks for an MRI anyway, then if it does show up a fracture or something, no doubt several months or years even for anything to be done about it....

My mum had a broken metatarsal (?) for a couple of years. She thought it was a sprain but it kept flaring up now and again. She had to have surgery to repair it.

Do you remember beccajoh whether she was on crutches and for how long? And did the surgery correct it?
Many thanks x

Yes the surgery sorted it but she was in plaster for a few weeks (so yes on crutches) and then she had one of those air cast boots for a few more weeks. I think she was off work for about three months, but she's a nurse so needs to be on her feet a lot of the day. I imagine for a desk job you could probably go back sooner.

Probably not what you wanted to hear!

Ah thanks. No not shat I wanted to hear but best to get it sorted..... I'm also always on my feet at work so would need longer off..... All speculative at the moment as who knows what the MRI will show but I've long suspected it to be a break of some sort.... (Off to check sick pay clauses of contract...)