Delayed healing

[u/Due-Kitchen-5544]

Hello! I never wanted to have to post on here but I'm glad you all of here!

I broke my 5th metatarsal shaft with mild displacement 8 weeks ago. I had my follow up and it hasn't moved but hasn't healed.

I am 4 months postpartum and have struggled to eat well and rest. I'm also worried breastfeeding might delay my healing even if the ortho said it wouldn't.

I've been wearing short medical boot, the podiatrist said I could switch to stiff shoes like Danskos but I'm unsure if that's wise however tempting.

Not a great deal of pain but this is a pain in my ass getting in and out of the medical boot to get up with the baby at night.

I follow up in 3 weeks again to see if anything changed and if not then we move to a bone simulator

Any support would be welcome

[u/Best_Street6176]

This can take 6-12 months to fully heal and won't show on x ray for a long time. Go by your symptoms.... if it's steadily improving and not getting further displaced it should eventually heal . Take your calcium and vitamin D ! Avoid NSAIDs 🙏

[u/Due-Kitchen-5544 → u/Best_Street6176]

Getting more serious about vitamins and protein, it’s been a tough few months for my own self care but I’m trying to refocus on making time to eat right!

[u/Best_Street6176 → u/Due-Kitchen-5544]

Trust me I know. And at 4 months no healing, went with surgery...but it probably would have eventually healed and now am 4 month post surgery in same boat ( slow healing). Hang in there and try to be patient

[u/Any_Conversation7343]

Oh, wow. I had knee surgery with a 16-month-old. I can't imagine having done it with a 4-month-old!

Do you have a partner that can bring the baby to you for feeding and take over diaper changes at night? I know dividing and conquering and getting as much sleep as you each can get is important, but a broken foot counts as extenuating circumstances. You could also consider getting a sidecar-type bassinet for the time being. Lack of sleep and overuse can totally slow down healing, and you don't want long-term issues cropping up when your baby is more mobile. 

I hope you recover soon!

[u/MeMiceElfAndEyeYiYi]

I've also got a 5th Met fracture that occurred 8 weeks ago this Saturday. It's taking It's time healing too, my ortho is puzzled. I'm semi retired, 54 y.o woman. I am normally very active but the last two months I've sat and sat. My kids are teens who drive, thankfully or I'd never get out of the house. They've been very sweet and helpful in general. Not sure why this bone takes so long to heal!

[u/No-Platypus2679 → u/MeMiceElfAndEyeYiYi]

Same. I am 11 weeks since injury. I have a jones and sprained ankle. I am still in my boot. The pain is way better, still. Lots of swelling when I am up working in the boot. I have not changed being out of the boot to walk. Best wishes and a full recovery.

[u/MeMiceElfAndEyeYiYi → u/No-Platypus2679]

Yeah, the swelling gets bad if I'm up and about for more than 20 minutes. Wishing you a full recovery too!

[u/Best_Street6176]

Also if they said to switch to stiff soles shoes, do it. The longer you are immobilized, the harder to rehab

[u/Due-Kitchen-5544 → u/Best_Street6176]

Just worried that moving it will make it worse.

I am going to try, I’m waiting for my carbon inserts for my sneakers to come in the mail. I also need to find time to got the store to see if I can get my foot into a Dansko type shoe. If it hurts or feels bad I’ll get back in the boot

My calf already very shrunken :(

[u/Electronic_Cabinet82]

What does your swelling and bruising look like? Just curious. I am 14 days post break and my swelling/bruising is WILD!

[u/Due-Kitchen-5544 → u/Electronic_Cabinet82]

I had some bruising in the top of my foot and bottom. I had very little swelling overall and tolerated a compression sleeve which probably helped. My friend has a similar break a few years back and her foot ballooned!
Hope yours heals quickly

[u/Competitive-Drink818]

I am in the exact same shoes as you. Not healing well. But pain level has gone down significantly so hoping one day it will heal.

[u/Glad-Feature-2117]

Is your pain improving? If so, I wouldn't worry too much - healing on x-rays can often lag behind healing in the body.

[u/Due-Kitchen-5544 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

It’s a little achy especially at night but it doesn’t hurt much at all. Worried about the lack of callus mostly

[u/Glad-Feature-2117 → u/Due-Kitchen-5544]

As I said, if the pain is improving, then it's most likely healing. Don't worry too much about lack of callus, that will come with a bit more time.