Guest guest Posted September 1, 2007 Report Share Posted September 1, 2007 Hi Everyone, Hope you are all having a nice labor day weekend--- I was wondering if anyone here has had a fracture of your foot in the metatarsal area? I have a question for anyone that has had this..... Thank you! Beth ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 I've gotta be honest Beth, I'm not sure where the metatarsal area is but I have broken my foot twice and sprained my ankle several times. It took quite a while to heal, even having to get an MRI of it once because it was so painful even after it was supposedly healed. Our illness makes things difficult to heal sometimes. At least that's my personal take on it. I have an excellent pediatrist who happens to be a friend of ours as well. Being a challenge for him, he's had to read up on Still's and learned a great deal (he liked that). I'm happy to be useful for someone. That makes me smile. Feel better. Take care and be well. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 I've gotta be honest Beth, I'm not sure where the metatarsal area is but I have broken my foot twice and sprained my ankle several times. It took quite a while to heal, even having to get an MRI of it once because it was so painful even after it was supposedly healed. Our illness makes things difficult to heal sometimes. At least that's my personal take on it. I have an excellent pediatrist who happens to be a friend of ours as well. Being a challenge for him, he's had to read up on Still's and learned a great deal (he liked that). I'm happy to be useful for someone. That makes me smile. Feel better. Take care and be well. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 I've gotta be honest Beth, I'm not sure where the metatarsal area is but I have broken my foot twice and sprained my ankle several times. It took quite a while to heal, even having to get an MRI of it once because it was so painful even after it was supposedly healed. Our illness makes things difficult to heal sometimes. At least that's my personal take on it. I have an excellent pediatrist who happens to be a friend of ours as well. Being a challenge for him, he's had to read up on Still's and learned a great deal (he liked that). I'm happy to be useful for someone. That makes me smile. Feel better. Take care and be well. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 >Beth-I've not had one but have sure treated a fair number of patients with them-is there anything I can try to answer? A lot of the info depends on whether it's the fifth (outside) metatarsal or not. I copied patient ed handouts on both for you-hope they help and pleae let me kow if I can try to answer anything. Ann lotr56@... > Beth > Fifth Metatarsal Fracture What is a fifth metatarsal fracture? The metatarsals are the long bones of the feet. The fifth metatarsal is the outermost foot bone and connects to the little toe. A fracture is a break in a bone. How does it occur? A fifth metatarsal fracture can occur several ways and break in several places. Avulsion fracture: This occurs when the foot or ankle rolls in (an inversion injury). When this happens a tendon that attaches a muscle to the fifth metatarsal can pull off a piece of the bone. Mid-shaft fracture: This usually occurs from a violent twist of the foot, but can also happen if a heavy object lands on the foot. fracture: This is a stress fracture caused from overuse. Because of overactivity, the bone gradually wears out and breaks. What are the symptoms? Pain, swelling, and tenderness on the outer side of the foot. There will be difficulty walking. How is it diagnosed? Your provider will review your symptoms, ask how you injured your foot, and examine you. A fifth metatarsal fracture is diagnosed by an x-ray showing a break in the bone. Some x-rays do not detect stress fractures, and a special test called a bone scan may need to be done. How is it treated? The treatment depends on the type of fracture you have. There are several ways to treat each type of fracture. Avulsion fracture: This can be treated by wearing a stiff-soled shoe or a removable cast boot for 4 to 6 weeks. You will usually be on crutches until you can walk without pain. Mid-shaft fracture: This can be treated by wearing a stiff-soled shoe, a removable cast boot, or a cast for 6 to 8 weeks. You will usually be on crutches until you can walk without pain. fracture: These fractures sometimes take a longer time to heal. A stress fracture can be treated with a removable cast boot or cast worn for 6 to 8 weeks. You may need to have surgery and have a screw placed in your bone to hold the broken bone together. You will usually be on crutches until you walk without pain. Treatment will also include: Elevating your foot by placing a pillow underneath it. Try to keep your foot above the level of your heart. Taking an anti-inflammatory medicine or other pain medicine prescribed by your provider. If you are not in a cast, you should apply ice packs to your foot for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away. Thereafter, ice your foot at least once a day until the other symptoms are gone. How long will the effects last? Fifth metatarsal fractures usually heal within 6 weeks. fractures may take longer to heal and may need surgery. When can I return to my normal activities? Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Return to your activities will be determined by how soon your foot recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury. You may start rehabilitation exercises when your provider has taken a follow-up x-ray and see that your fracture has healed. You may safely return to your normal activities when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true: You have full range of motion in the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot. You have full strength of the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot. You can walk straight ahead without pain or limping. How can I prevent a fifth metatarsal fracture? Most fifth metatarsal fractures are caused by accidents that cannot be prevented. However it is important to wear proper fitting footwear and avoid playing or running on surfaces that are uneven. Metatarsal Fracture General Information A fracture (or broken bone) is a disruption, or break, in a bone. Some fractures, called stress fractures, are microscopic, and restricting activity on the limb that is broken can usually treat these. Fractures can be classified in several different ways. Among the major classes are: " Torus " or " greenstick " fractures, in which the bone is not broken all the way around. These usually occur in the bones of children, which are less brittle than those of adults Breaks in which the bone is broken all the way around but one piece is not displaced (moved away from) the other piece. These usually occur in mature, adult bones. Breaks in which the bone is broken all the way around and displaced. Displaced fractures usually require surgery. Open versus closed fractures. In an open fracture, the bone has protruded through the skin. General symptoms of fracture include swelling, pain, and in acute cases, possible deformity. The principal goal of treatment is for the bone pieces to heal together, as they were before the break. There are five metatarsal bones, each of which travels out to a toe in the foot. The metatarsals connect with the tarsal bones in the hindfoot (rear of the foot) and the phalanges (toes) in the front of the foot. There are several kinds of metatarsal fractures, including stress fractures as well as more acute, and possibly multiple, fractures of any of the five metatarsals. Stress fractures (hairline breaks) are common in the metatarsals. They are usually caused by repetitive stress. Other metatarsal fractures typically result from a direct blow to the foot, resulting from a trauma such as that resulting from a fall from a height. Causes of a Metatarsal Fracture? Causes of metatarsal fractures include: Training errors (in athletes) such as too rapid an increase in a runner's mileage Stress caused by another foot problem, such as bunions Abnormal foot structure, such as flat feet Obesity Poor shoes The cause of other kinds of metatarsal fractures is usually a direct blow to the foot, such as would result from a fall from a height or an automobile accident. Symptoms of a Metatarsal Fracture? Symptoms associated with metatarsal fractures include sharp pain, aggravated by walking, swelling and tenderness. Acute fractures may result in inability to put weight on the foot, swelling, and more severe pain. Even acute fractures usually have little displacement when they occur in a metatarsal bone. Ecchymosis, or discoloration of the skin, occurs from bleeding of the fracture and is accompanied by swelling. Treatment Stress fractures are usually treated conservatively, without surgery. Treatments include: Stiff-soled or wooden shoes Avoidance of high-impact activities Keep weight off the foot Use of ice Use of a bandage Use of a cast Acute metatarsal fractures may require surgery. (rare-only if really badly displaced-added by Ann) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 >Beth-I've not had one but have sure treated a fair number of patients with them-is there anything I can try to answer? A lot of the info depends on whether it's the fifth (outside) metatarsal or not. I copied patient ed handouts on both for you-hope they help and pleae let me kow if I can try to answer anything. Ann lotr56@... > Beth > Fifth Metatarsal Fracture What is a fifth metatarsal fracture? The metatarsals are the long bones of the feet. The fifth metatarsal is the outermost foot bone and connects to the little toe. A fracture is a break in a bone. How does it occur? A fifth metatarsal fracture can occur several ways and break in several places. Avulsion fracture: This occurs when the foot or ankle rolls in (an inversion injury). When this happens a tendon that attaches a muscle to the fifth metatarsal can pull off a piece of the bone. Mid-shaft fracture: This usually occurs from a violent twist of the foot, but can also happen if a heavy object lands on the foot. fracture: This is a stress fracture caused from overuse. Because of overactivity, the bone gradually wears out and breaks. What are the symptoms? Pain, swelling, and tenderness on the outer side of the foot. There will be difficulty walking. How is it diagnosed? Your provider will review your symptoms, ask how you injured your foot, and examine you. A fifth metatarsal fracture is diagnosed by an x-ray showing a break in the bone. Some x-rays do not detect stress fractures, and a special test called a bone scan may need to be done. How is it treated? The treatment depends on the type of fracture you have. There are several ways to treat each type of fracture. Avulsion fracture: This can be treated by wearing a stiff-soled shoe or a removable cast boot for 4 to 6 weeks. You will usually be on crutches until you can walk without pain. Mid-shaft fracture: This can be treated by wearing a stiff-soled shoe, a removable cast boot, or a cast for 6 to 8 weeks. You will usually be on crutches until you can walk without pain. fracture: These fractures sometimes take a longer time to heal. A stress fracture can be treated with a removable cast boot or cast worn for 6 to 8 weeks. You may need to have surgery and have a screw placed in your bone to hold the broken bone together. You will usually be on crutches until you walk without pain. Treatment will also include: Elevating your foot by placing a pillow underneath it. Try to keep your foot above the level of your heart. Taking an anti-inflammatory medicine or other pain medicine prescribed by your provider. If you are not in a cast, you should apply ice packs to your foot for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away. Thereafter, ice your foot at least once a day until the other symptoms are gone. How long will the effects last? Fifth metatarsal fractures usually heal within 6 weeks. fractures may take longer to heal and may need surgery. When can I return to my normal activities? Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Return to your activities will be determined by how soon your foot recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury. You may start rehabilitation exercises when your provider has taken a follow-up x-ray and see that your fracture has healed. You may safely return to your normal activities when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true: You have full range of motion in the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot. You have full strength of the injured foot compared to the uninjured foot. You can walk straight ahead without pain or limping. How can I prevent a fifth metatarsal fracture? Most fifth metatarsal fractures are caused by accidents that cannot be prevented. However it is important to wear proper fitting footwear and avoid playing or running on surfaces that are uneven. Metatarsal Fracture General Information A fracture (or broken bone) is a disruption, or break, in a bone. Some fractures, called stress fractures, are microscopic, and restricting activity on the limb that is broken can usually treat these. Fractures can be classified in several different ways. Among the major classes are: " Torus " or " greenstick " fractures, in which the bone is not broken all the way around. These usually occur in the bones of children, which are less brittle than those of adults Breaks in which the bone is broken all the way around but one piece is not displaced (moved away from) the other piece. These usually occur in mature, adult bones. Breaks in which the bone is broken all the way around and displaced. Displaced fractures usually require surgery. Open versus closed fractures. In an open fracture, the bone has protruded through the skin. General symptoms of fracture include swelling, pain, and in acute cases, possible deformity. The principal goal of treatment is for the bone pieces to heal together, as they were before the break. There are five metatarsal bones, each of which travels out to a toe in the foot. The metatarsals connect with the tarsal bones in the hindfoot (rear of the foot) and the phalanges (toes) in the front of the foot. There are several kinds of metatarsal fractures, including stress fractures as well as more acute, and possibly multiple, fractures of any of the five metatarsals. Stress fractures (hairline breaks) are common in the metatarsals. They are usually caused by repetitive stress. Other metatarsal fractures typically result from a direct blow to the foot, resulting from a trauma such as that resulting from a fall from a height. Causes of a Metatarsal Fracture? Causes of metatarsal fractures include: Training errors (in athletes) such as too rapid an increase in a runner's mileage Stress caused by another foot problem, such as bunions Abnormal foot structure, such as flat feet Obesity Poor shoes The cause of other kinds of metatarsal fractures is usually a direct blow to the foot, such as would result from a fall from a height or an automobile accident. Symptoms of a Metatarsal Fracture? Symptoms associated with metatarsal fractures include sharp pain, aggravated by walking, swelling and tenderness. Acute fractures may result in inability to put weight on the foot, swelling, and more severe pain. Even acute fractures usually have little displacement when they occur in a metatarsal bone. Ecchymosis, or discoloration of the skin, occurs from bleeding of the fracture and is accompanied by swelling. Treatment Stress fractures are usually treated conservatively, without surgery. Treatments include: Stiff-soled or wooden shoes Avoidance of high-impact activities Keep weight off the foot Use of ice Use of a bandage Use of a cast Acute metatarsal fractures may require surgery. (rare-only if really badly displaced-added by Ann) > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2007 Report Share Posted September 6, 2007 Beth-The foam sounds like a great idea. If that doesn't work, I'd go back to where you got it and see if they can modify it or do something else-definitely want to get that taken care of! Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 6, 2007 Report Share Posted September 6, 2007 Beth-The foam sounds like a great idea. If that doesn't work, I'd go back to where you got it and see if they can modify it or do something else-definitely want to get that taken care of! Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 In a message dated 9/7/2007 8:32:21 AM Central Standard Time, a_cone@... writes: Ouch Beth! How did you you get a broken foot? Actually the only thing we can figure out is that when I was in the car accident it caused a fracture and now what has happened is that some bone fragments have " come loose " and I guess that is what is causing the problem...... ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 In a message dated 9/7/2007 8:32:21 AM Central Standard Time, a_cone@... writes: Ouch Beth! How did you you get a broken foot? Actually the only thing we can figure out is that when I was in the car accident it caused a fracture and now what has happened is that some bone fragments have " come loose " and I guess that is what is causing the problem...... ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.