Recurrent/ongoing pain in foot after stress fracture

[newnamenellie]

I had a metatarsal stress fracture nearly a year ago in my right foot. I didn’t have any obvious injury, it just gradually became more and more painful until I couldn’t walk.

I eventually had it diagnosed via an MRI scan and wore a fracture boot for several weeks. By the end of the summer it was about 90% okay and I was able to walk normally again although I was careful not to overdo it.

I was told by the orthopaedic clinic that I could do a patient initiated referral if I had any issues within six months of my last official appointment and I could go back into the system without having to start from scratch.

Since Christmas, I’ve had a few spells of foot pain but it has tended to settle down. About a month ago, I developed pain again in the original site which then sort of moved to another part of my foot. This the settled briefly for about a week before returning. I now have pain across the middle top of my foot along the bone in that area. It hurts to walk and is painful to touch.

i was seen again in the orthopaedic clinic last week, they x rayed my foot and said the original fracture looked to be healed. I explained that the new pain is in a different area. I’ve been referred for an MRI scan to see what’s going on and then a follow up appointment in mid March.

I’ve never really understood why I had the problem in the first place, but now it’s come back and beginning to wonder if there’s an issue with my bone density (I’m 50). I’ve been taking vitamin D every day to support my bone health, so hopefully this isn’t the problem.

The whole thing is starting to get me down as I thought I’d finished with it after months of pain last year. It really impacts on my quality of life making it hard to get around.

Has anyone got any advice or had a similar experience?

Following with interest. Fracture in wrist, recurring pain.

I thought it was broken again one week on holiday as so painful, so cut holiday short and went to get an X Ray.

Showed it healed fine.

Better with wrist splint but that's not a permanent solution.

Nerve damage has been suggested. I'm on some prescribed painkillers but no joy so far.

I stepped in a hole in the grass and my ankle bent unnaturally. Immediately swollen and bruised. X rated and some confusion over old fractures. I haven't, to my knowledge ever fractured my foot before. Was told I had a step below osteoporosis and to treat the injury like a severe strain. No boot or cast. That was Oct. My ankle is still twice the size, I'm on pain killers, I'm in constant pain. Keep being palmed off. Now waiting yet another physio appointment. I've had alter work, only driven when absolutely necessary. It gets me down, I feel nauseous cos of the pain and no one will do anything. It's frustrating.

Sorry, just to add. I was told by GP in Jan that yes of course it will be painful, you fractured your ankle. Which was good to know after months of walking on it, etc.

Sorry to hear you’re suffering @slapmyarseandcallmemary and @woolblankey - is there a way you can get an MRI scan? I think that’s the gold standard for identifying what’s going on when an x ray is unclear or shows nothing wrong.

I had my MRI scan done privately in the end as the NHS wait was so long and I’d already been struggling for weeks at that point last year.

Im now booked in for a second scan on 12th March with a follow appointment the week after.Im grateful that I have that as at least it will give answers. Just hoping it’s not another stress fracture.

Haven't you had any follow up physio? That would be my first port of call.

@TeaRoseTallulah no, nothing was ever mentioned about physio. At my most recent visit (last week), there was talk of a possible podiatry referral once we know what’s going on, so we’ll see.

Ask to be referred for a DEXA scan to check your bone density. If there is any question of osteoporosis you need to get on it asap.

@GettingOlderandBetter thank you, I am planning to ask for that at my next appointment.