Broken foot and really slow recovery

[coffeealwayscoffee]

I broke my 5th metatarsal 3 months ago (dicking about jumping off a not very high wall). Oh and I sprained my other ankle at the same time so, nice one.

Recovery has been so slow and I just can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was in a cast for 9 weeks then a boot for 3 weeks, and now I’ve been told my foot is no longer broken and to stop using the boot.

I’m getting around a little on crutches but it’s agony.

I can’t drive so can’t leave the leave the house on my own and I’m really slow on the crutches. The pain makes it impossible to be stood up for any more than 10 minutes.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

it just feels as though I’ll never be able to walk again!

Hi. I broke my 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal at the beginning of March this year. I was in the boot for about 8 weeks and was told I could take it off. But in all honesty it was so painful and it felt so unstable I kept it on for an extra week. Then when I took it off I could only walk in certain extra supportive shoes and just didn't have a lot of stamina. I was able to drive from about 6 weeks though ( I have an electric car so don't need my left foot)

Even now the foot often goes stiff and sometimes I have a limp. But to be honest I really need to be focusing more on doing the rehabilitation exercises.

Take things slowly. It will take longer than you think to recover and build stamina.

Make sure you start doing the exercises. I think it's the only thing that helps with the stiffness and getting the strength back.

And even after they said I could take it off I kept thr boot on if I was walking outside as I was still using the crutches and felt unstable. I wanted some protection for the foot just in case I fell again. I think I only took the boot off for outside walking at around 10 or 11 weeks.

Your muscles have probably wasted because you've been in the boot for so long. You should gradually improve. DD1's leg was twisted at right angles when her leg cast came off, but within a few weeks it was straight again.

Thank you so much for your replies.

I guess I just need to keep up with the exercises and trust the process!

I find it so frustrating not having a definitive timeline as to when I’ll be ok again.

Knowing that recovery is on its way is really encouraging.

I broke 5th metatarsal 3 years ago but healed really quickly ( about 4 weeks which for my age...mid 60s....was good apparently)
I have got a bit of nerve damage though.
I was a shit patient as I hated being immobile!

I broke my middle 2
Metatarsals and a big toe 2 years ago and it was agony. I managed to break the same foot again a year later and honestly my foot has never been the same. I have had ct scans and x rays and the bones look as though they have knitted together fine - but I have a middle toe that sticks up further than the rest and my foot is regularly painful, stiff and just generally sore. I genuinely don't think it will ever fully recover

Wow, it did heal quickly.

I like to think I’m a wonderful patient but my partner would tell you differently!

Crikey, to break it twice is really unlucky.

It’s funny you say that about your toe. My little toe sticks out to the side now.

I guess this is my worry, that it won’t ever go back to normal.

Is the pain manageable? Are you able to walk long distances?

I'm self employed in a physical on my feet job.
I need two knee replacement and in feb badly sprained my ankle/foot and fractured the bottom bit.
Meant to wear the boot but couldn't at work so just hobbled around and it's taken months to heal I
By accident he time I get home sometimes I'm really struggling. Look after yourself xx

Are you seeing a physio regularly?

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor no, I was given some exercises when I went from cast to boot but nothing further.

@mickybarrysmum having a physical job must’ve been so difficult. Hats off to you though, I can’t stand up for more than 10 minutes 12 weeks down the line!

You really need to see a physio in person to get you moving again.

I know it's an older post, but I'm come to join the metatarsal club.

Found out today that mine hasn't healed.it was an avulsion fracture. I'm fit and healthy(was a regular runner until 6 weeks ago), non smoking leaf eater and quite frankly, incensed that it hasn't even bothered to fix itself. Boot for 4 weeks, then off. No problem driving. Average 7000 steps a day in work, not including all the standing I do. Genuinely shocked that it hasn't healed. Now scared ill have to have it pinned because of my crappy circulation.