Can You Move Your Foot With A Broken Metatarsal?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Broken bones bleed, so bruising and swelling can develop and you may have difficulty putting weight on the affected foot. Movement of your foot may also be limited . Surprisingly, however, pain can settle within a few hours.

Can you wiggle your toes with a broken foot?

Compound fractures are severe and require immediate medical attention. Loss of Mobility – If you can’t say where any of them are broken , wiggle your fingers or toes. If doing so happens to be difficult or painful, you may have a break above that point.

Can you move your toes with a broken metatarsal?

Compound fractures are severe and require immediate medical attention. Loss of Mobility – If you can’t say where any of them are broken , wiggle your fingers or toes. If doing so happens to be difficult or painful, you may have a break above that point.

Can you walk on a broken metatarsal?

You can walk on your injured foot as much as your pain allows . You should gradually stop using the supportive shoe over three to five weeks, as your pain settles. Most base of 5th metatarsal injuries heal without any problems.

Can you move your toes with a stress fracture?

Doctors do not recommend walking when you have a stress fracture because it may reopen the partially healed fracture, and you may have to begin the recovery process again. Although you can walk, doctors would recommend staying away from hard surfaces and not walking long distances.

What is the fastest way to heal a metatarsal fracture?

  1. Rest. Sometimes rest is the only treatment needed to promote healing of a stress or traumatic fracture of a metatarsal bone.
  2. Avoid the offending activity. ...
  3. Immobilization, casting or rigid shoe. ...
  4. Surgery. ...
  5. Follow-up care.

Can a metatarsal fracture heal in 2 weeks?

How long will it take to heal? Most fractures heal without any problems in about six weeks . However, it may take three to six months for your symptoms to settle completely – these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength, and swelling.

Can a metatarsal fracture heal without a boot?

The boot you have been given is not needed to aid fracture healing but will help to settle your symptoms. Wear the boot when you are walking.

How do you treat a broken metatarsal?

  1. Rest. Sometimes rest is the only treatment needed to promote healing of a stress or traumatic fracture of a metatarsal bone.
  2. Avoid the offending activity. ...
  3. Immobilization, casting or rigid shoe. ...
  4. Surgery. ...
  5. Follow-up care.

What does a metatarsal stress fracture feel like?

You likely feel a dull ache where the fracture is located. The pain intensifies when you’re on your feet and lessens or goes away when you’re resting. Over half of stress fractures are in the lower leg/ankle. If the fracture has gone untreated for a while, you feel significant pain when you bear any weight on the foot.

Do stress fractures hurt more at night?

What are the symptoms of a stress fracture? Pain is usually felt over the injured area and tends to develop over a few weeks. It is typically worse when putting weight on the injured area and better when resting. As it gets worse, the pain can start to be present when at rest and at night .

What happens if a stress fracture is left untreated?

The most common symptom of a stress fracture is pain. Left untreated, stress fractures often increase in severity until the pain becomes disabling . Over time, a bone with an untreated stress fracture may break completely, requiring more extensive treatment.

How do I know if I have stress fractures in my foot?

  1. Pain, swelling or aching at the site of fracture.
  2. Tenderness or “pinpoint pain” when touched on the bone.
  3. Pain that begins after starting an activity and then resolves with rest.
  4. Pain that’s present throughout the activity and does not go away after the activity has ended.

Will walking on a fractured foot make it worse?

This fracture gets worse with time if you keep walking on it, so non-weight bearing is very important. People with this fracture are more likely to develop problems healing that require an operation.

How do you strengthen a broken metatarsal foot?

  1. Stand facing a wall with your hands on the wall at about eye level. Put your affected foot about a step behind your other foot.
  2. Keeping both heels on the floor, bend both knees. ...
  3. Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
  4. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

How long does a broken metatarsal take to heal?

You may have been given crutches to use to keep weight off your foot. A metatarsal fracture may take from 6 weeks to several months to heal. It is important to give your foot time to heal completely, so that you do not hurt it again. Do not return to your usual activities until your doctor says you can.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.