Metatarsal Stress Fracture

[newnamenellie]

I've posted on Chat recently about the saga of my poorly foot. Long story short, I got a diagnosis last week of metatarsal stress fracture. This was 3.5 weeks after the pain first developed so I'd been limping around all that time, my GP refused to refer me for a follow up x ray as I'd already had one which showed nothing. Luckily I was able to self refer to a very efficient NHS physio/MSK clinic who DID x ray again and found the fracture!

Anyway, this was a week ago, I was sent home with an aircast boot and told it will take 8-12 weeks to heal. I was also told I'd be referred to the orthopaedic clinic for a follow up appointment.

I haven't had the follow up appointment through yet and so I'm wondering what to expect.

My foot still feels painful - I can't walk normally without the boot. I think the tenderness along the bone may be diminishing a bit, but the pain is still there when I try and weight bear on my full foot.

The area on the x ray was so hard to see, I actually thought that it looked completely fine but then I'm not an expert clearly!

Has anyone here had similar? How long did it take to heal? How long did you wear the boot for? did it heal fully?

I had this a few years ago. I had walked on it for a week before I went to A&E. Whole foot was black and very painful.
I was given a boot and an appointment a week later at the orthopaedic clinic. TBH they did nothing else just told me to keep wearing the boot and come back in another six weeks.
I'd say I was in the boot full time for about four weeks then left it off a little bit when resting. It took about 8 weeks to fully heal though I get the odd twinge 5 years on and suspect it wouldn't take much to break it again.

Thanks @Timee Sounds nasty.

I'm 4.5 weeks on from the initial pain (can't say injury as it just came on out of nowhere). First 3.5 weeks I was trying to manage it by walking as little as possible and wearing sturdy shoes.

Now I have the fracture boot, it's a lot more comfortable, so I'm just waiting for a follow up appointment now I guess.