- Cold therapy. Putting ice on the area may reduce swelling and pain, especially in the first few days after injury.
- Elevation. ...
- Prescription or over-the-counter pain medicines. ...
- Immobilization. ...
- Stretching and strengthening exercises. ...
- Surgery.
How is a fractured 5th metatarsal treated?
The foot and ankle surgeon may use one of these nonsurgical options for treatment of a fifth metatarsal fracture: Immobilization . Depending on the severity of the injury, the foot is kept immobile with a cast, cast boot or stiff-soled shoe. Crutches may also be needed to avoid placing weight on the injured foot.
Does a 5th metatarsal fracture need a cast?
This fracture is at the base of the 5th metatarsal, which is where the name comes from. The break has occurred in a part of the bone that normally heals without a problem, so you won’t need to have a plaster cast .
How long does it take for a fifth metatarsal fracture to heal?
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.
When can you walk on a 5th metatarsal fracture?
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.
Will a broken 5th metatarsal heal if I walk on it?
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 . However, it may take several months for your symptoms to settle completely.
Can I drive with a 5th metatarsal fracture?
Patients with a 5th metatarsal avulsion fracture reported a return to driving at 6 weeks when treated with a walking boot and 12 weeks after injury when treated with a short leg cast [55].
How painful is a 5th metatarsal fracture?
Sudden pain along the outside of your foot is the main symptom. A stress fracture may develop more slowly. You may feel chronic pain for a period of time. Your foot may also swell up and bruise.
Can you break a metatarsal and still walk?
A patient with a broken metatarsal may be able to walk, depending on how painful the injury is. Despite this, the patient with a metatarsal fracture is advised to avoid excessive walking , especially on uneven ground, to eliminate the risk of displacement.
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.
Is it easy to break your 5th metatarsal?
The metatarsal bones help people balance while standing and walking. Because these bones get much more use than other bones, it is easy to injure them through overuse . Sudden acute injuries of the metatarsals are common after a sudden impact or severe twist of the foot.
Do they cast a broken metatarsal?
Your doctor may have put your foot in a cast or splint to keep it stable. 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.
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.
Can a healed fracture still hurt?
When you suffer a fracture, it will eventually heal and recover to the point that you no longer experience pain. Unfortunately, this does not happen for everyone. Some people may continue to experience pain long after the fracture and soft tissues have finished healing.
What does a metatarsal fracture feel like?
May make an audible sound at the time of the break and you will usually have immediate pain and tenderness around the area of the fracture. The pain is often called ‘pinpoint pain’ as it is quite well localised at the site of impact to the bone.
How can you tell if a broken bone isn’t healing?
Symptoms of a fracture that is not healing normally include tenderness, swelling, and an aching pain that may be felt deep within the affected bone . Often, the bone isn’t strong enough to bear weight, and you may not be able to use the affected body part until the bone heals.
