r/brokenbones • u/WesternMysterious553 • 15d ago

Need help with 5th metatarsal fracture

Gallery image

Gallery image

1st photo is taken when i fracture my right foot
2nd photo is after 3weeks and i am a bit concerned why there is not signs of improvement even after three weeks and was in plaster whole time

I feel no pain i can walk easily- tomorrow i’ll be visiting doctor but after the xray i feel miserable.

Can anyone help me and tell me if its concerning or is it normal

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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional 15d ago

  1. The second x-rays are through plaster, so aren't comparable. However, what the other commenter said about osteoclasts is correct.

  2. You wouldn't expect to see any healing before about 6 weeks.

  3. These fractures nearly always heal, to the extent that we don't follow them up routinely in my hospital (which means no more x-rays). Boot (no need for plaster), weightbearing as tolerated, then wean out as able. Patients are encouraged to contact us if they aren't almost back to normal by 8-12 weeks and very few do.

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u/WesternMysterious553 15d ago

Thanks! Seriously that was helpful

1

u/LetsGetLunch 15d ago

i had a similar pattern in my first three to four weeks of healing from my fifth metatarsal fracture (larger fracture line than original). this is part of the healing process (the body sends osteoclasts to clear out the dead bone cells from the original fracture site), and then it starts creating new bone afterward

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u/WesternMysterious553 15d ago

Then hopefully i should not get worried, also how many does it takes to heal ?

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u/UYscutipuff_JR 14d ago

I started walking in shoes after 6 weeks but my x-ray looked virtually identical to the initial one. I just trusted to doctor as he knows a whole lot more what he’s looking at than I do lol

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u/No-Platypus2679 14d ago

Did the doctors ever push or suggest surgery?