I don't intend for this to be interesting to anyone. Nor do I plan to password protect the thing. Mostly, I am starting today's blog with a discussion of my foot situation: a dreaded Jones Fracture of the Fifth Metatarsal.
I am just recovering from a "Jones Fracture," which is apparently a kind of stress fracture located in the fifth metatarsal, near the base but not in the end of the bone. I officially found out about the fracture in November, but had been having some pain when playing soccer since August/September--it just wasn't enough to get me to the x-ray room. I was not able to schedule a surgery until February, so I went around in a very stiff walking shoe hoping it would allow the bone to heal. Unfortunately, it didn't, and I finally opted for the standard fix, internal fixation with a titanium screw.
It is now almost three weeks later, and I am doing quite well. The operation lasted about 20 minutes, and the initial cast was on for 3 days. Then I progressed to a stiff boot with no weight bearing for 10 days. From that point the surgeon said I could return to weight bearing as pain dictated, so I have been walking in my boot for the last week. In another week I am expecting to return to walking in normal athletic shoes and training again on a treadmill or elliptical. The surgeon says the estimated return to full fitness is six weeks from the surgery date, so I am reasonably happy with that prognosis.
From what I have been able to determine, the standard solution to the Jones fracture is screw fixation--the studies I have read (mostly online, I admit) indicate it can take up to 12 weeks for the fracture to heal without the surgery, and even then only with complete immobilization. To make matters worse, there is a pretty high incidence of recurrence without the surgery (I have read studies that suggest it is as high as 80% in athletes, though 60-70% is more common, within 18 months of "total bone healing"). If I ever notice a nagging pain in the outside of my foot while playing soccer or running (say with my other foot), I will definitely seek advice of an athletic physician to make sure this gets addressed in a timely fashion. I haven't played soccer since November 18 (well, I did play once in January, but it didn't last much more than about 20 minutes), and it's driving me absolutely insane!
That is the (current) story of my Jones Fracture: future updates as events warrant.
Oh, I should say that my sources have told me that caffeine consumption may slow bone healing, and so I have reduced my coffee intake by half during the last month.
ReplyDeletewelcome to the blogger!! I have my blog somewhere here too, I should update it more often.
ReplyDeleteAnyway here is what I found recently about the coffee: "two cups of coffee might decrease muscle pain from challenging workouts". Couple of those genious people out there conduct a small study to test the effects of caffeine on delayed -onset muscle soreness or pain following intense workouts. Participants in the study reported significantly less soreness during muscle workouts when they were given caffeine pills equivalent to 2 cups of coffee and hour before their workouts. Caffeine appears to block the activity of a chemical released during the inflammatory response to injury.
Just out of curiosity, how did this turn out? I just had surgery for my Jones fracture last week and I can't wait to get back to tennis. Does it still hurt? Did it ever reoccur?
ReplyDeleteOh, man. Sorry Jesse, it took me over a year-and-a-half to reply to this comment! My fracture has remained healed, so far as I can tell, since the operation, though the "6-week" healing period did take longer than I expected. It was closer to 8 weeks before I was fully functional again, but I think that's because I returned to activity sooner than I should have.
ReplyDeletei do not know what blogs are but i fell and obtained a jones fx of left foot in 2/10 and now 10/10 doctor wants to put a screw in it because all conservative therapy has failed. i am opting not to have surgery because im stressed now how am i to get around and survive 6-8 weeks after surgery when i live alone and have no near by friends or family. going to settle with ins co this week but do not know how much to even try to get for pain-fure and past- laCK OF TOTAL YEAR OF ENJOYMENT--ETC ETC ETC.
ReplyDeleteHi, I was surprised to see a blog on this. I too have a fractured 5th metatarsal, my fracture is at the top of my foot. I'm not sure what the name of that fracture is, just that it's a 5th metatarsal fracture. This is a painful fracture and 2 weeks in I still have quite a bit of tenderness/pain. The Doctor has had me on bed rest and pain meds for the last 2 days which has helped some although the pain medication has made me very sick to my stomach (I think, because I did not take it with food- won't make that mistake twice). To anyone else out there with this break be sure to rest your foot as much as possible. I'm curious to hear how long it has taken other people to heal? Good luck everyone and thanks for creating this web site. Madeleine Hirsch
ReplyDeleteJust curious if you are seeing a podiatrist for your fracture? or an Orthopedic. I went to see an orthopedic surgeon at first and he too said my fracture would heal with time. He put me in a cast and 3 weeks later I was in so much pain he re xrayed me and turns out the bone had come completely apart and one side of the bone coming out the skin of my foot! Very gross! I needed emergency surgery at that point, but went to a Foot and ankle specialist instead of the orthopedic. I just don't trust then to handle small bones fractures...A podiatrist only does feet:) So if you ever have this happen again...FYI:)
DeleteI started the blog because there's just not that much information out there on this, or at least there wasn't when it happened to me. After a couple years, and watching a few other people go through similar injuries, I'd say the doctors' normal first instinct to put people in a walking boot or even a full cast for four to six weeks is probably a waste of time. The fifth metatarsal fractures only rarely heal this way, and when they do, the likelihood of recurrence seems to be pretty high. There are loads of studies on this, but they're all in scientific (or pseudoscientific) journals, and most people don't have access to those. Trusting your doctor is always a sort of good idea, by which I mean that the more the patient knows about his/her own situation, the better. Madeleine, I hope you have a good doctor and that the pain has subsided since the original traumatic injury! For what it's worth, I have read several studies that suggest that a violent rupture (from a single event) is more likely to heal more quickly than a stress fracture, or a break caused by a series of minor/constant events. So maybe in your situation the doctors will want to try a conservative approach. I'd say your best-case scenario, time wise, will be at least two full months before a return to normal activity. If you go through everything that many people do, then you'll go a month or so with no activity, discover that there has been no real progress, and then have the fixation-by-screw procedure, after which it's supposed to be between 6 and 8 weeks to return to something like normal activity. Just don't rush things! Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteHi there! Thanks so much for your post. This is very helpful. It's been 6 weeks since the initial break and at my doctor's appointment 3 weeks ago, I was told it could be another 11 weeks of immobilization and that the break has shown no evidence of healing so far. It's been frustrating- and yes- I only have right shoes in my closet. While I'd like to avoid surgery, I am finding that "the boot" is limiting and I find that I am still in quite a bit of pain at night. Thanks for having this website - it makes me feel better knowing that others have been there!
ReplyDeleteAnother update. The latest is that the break will take 6 months to heal at "90%" improvement. I'm not very happy about this. The doctor said surgery is not an option for my kind of break, I'm now in a walking air cast and will have X rays again in 6 or 8 weeks. Thanks for this blog, this has proven to be a very frustrating injury! It is nice to have a forum to vent. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're going through a very frustrating recovery process, I wish you the best of luck and much improvement over the next few weeks! Have you discussed with your doctor the possibility of therapies that might increase blood flow to the area of the break or stimulate bone growth? Professional athletes seem to have access to treatments like that, but I'm not sure if they really speed healing or not. Some have even taken to sleeping in oxygen-rich chambers to try to expedite the healing process. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank for your blog i fractured my 5th metatarsal bone 4 weeks ago the doctor stated no surgery. I have to be in a cast for 6-8 weeks. This has been a very challenging 4 weeks . Im immobilized i keep my right foot eleveated as much as possible . the swelling as gone down but its still a burning sensation mostly at night when its time to go to bed. The medicine My Dr prescribed to me only makes we weak it does not help with the pain. Im concerned about my long term health. I walk for a living and im very fearful of the future. Im a letter carrier and I need to be healthy in order to perform my daily duties. I pray I have a successful recovery .
ReplyDelete@Minisam, I'm sorry to hear about your experience, the 5th metatarsal fracture is no fun for anyone! I hope you'll have a very speedy and fully successful recovery with no surgery required. Make sure you're icing (if the doctor permits it), as I found that this had a dramatic effect on the pain levels in my foot both before and after my surgery. If the pain meds don't work, maybe ice and elevation will. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across this blog while reading about Jones fracture surgery. Last night I landed on my foot and immediately knew I broke my 5th
ReplyDeleteMetatarsal for the second time. It's very unfortunate knowing that my summer is ruined and my job is in risk, trying to start college in the fall all while being 18 yrs old. I have an appointment tomorrow where I will find out whether the doctors what surgery for me or the cast and booth method they did last time for me. I'm scared for surgery but so far I've read it's the best method to heal a jones fracture. Keep me in your prayers and I thank you all for this post.
Well I have the dreaded Jones Stress fracture too! I broke mine 13 weeks ago with surgery 3 weeks ago after finding that there was no healing happening naturally. At first I put it down to age as I am over 50 but now know that it is due to the position of the break and the poor blood supply. The thing that nobody talks about is the effect mentally from being on crutches for so long! Life is very limited on crutches, and they can make you so sore! Currently I am just starting to weight bear in a Moon boot, I can see light t the end of the tunnel now and I have an x-ray and visit to the Ortho in 3 weeks time to check out the healing process. Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeletemy daughter has the same story, insignificant soccer injury last May, but the pain persisted slowly getting worse. I appreciate your blog since I was looking for recovery time. We have a Disney trip scheduled in 5 weeks. She is getting her screw inserted next week, looks like she'll still be in a boot when we go on the trip. Were you in much pain 5 weeks post-op? Do you think she will need a wheelchair/scooter at that time or should she be able to get along with the boot pretty well?
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, I was in no pain after 5 weeks, and in fact if memory serves, the pain had pretty much subsided by the end of the first week after the operation. I can't remember how long the boot stage lasted, but in the back of my mind there's something about weight bearing activity at 4 weeks. I'd check with the specialists on something like that, their timeline seems to be fairly reliable (though I think I ended up having to be in the boot, or at least on less-than-total weight bearing activity for longer than they predicted initially). Good luck to your daughter and your family!
ReplyDeleteI broke my 5th metatarsal 9/2011 was treated by podiatrist who said inoperable and immobilized me for 16 weeks-finally after being released I asked on numerous occasions about pt he said walking would be enough???? 1 year later both feet plantar faciitis and being treated by orthopedic and MRI ast week -whatever you do go to an orthopedic who specializes in foot and ankle and start pt ASAP!! I used to be a runner, yoga, gym rat but never felt pain and side lined by this pain from plantar faciitis!
ReplyDeleteSo I just had surgery on my 5th metatarsal. I had a spiral fracture that required a plate and screws to fix:( I decided at the same time to fix the joint in my first metatarsal that had worn down from playing tennis. I had two choices complete joint replacement or joint fusion. Since I am 40 and very active i chose the fusion. Apparently the joint replacements do not last that long and I do not want to keep having surgery. I am 5 days post surgery and in a lot of pain. My foot is swollen up like a balloon! I am sick of being in bed with it up above my heart...today the Dr. thinks I have a infection in the tissue. I am on heavy dose of antibiotics and the pain meds are killing me! But I can't stand the pain if I dont' take them...I am hoping there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me...it is great to read the stories of those of you that got through the surgeries and are back to playing your sport again. I miss hitting that little yellow tennis ball so much ...I think that is the hardest part of all...
ReplyDeleteHi - I have a 5th metatarsal jones fracture. This is my 6th week --- i have xrays next week and am fully of anxiety. I started using an exogen bone stimulator --- has anyone else use one and with any lucky???
ReplyDeleteHello, I fractured my 5th metatarsal 5 weeks ago also playing soccer it was not a jones fracture since it was more towards the shaft but not that far in. i was given conservatory therapy and was put in a boot for 4 weeks before my follow up. the follow up was yesterday and since my job involves standing all the time (Soccer Coach & Personal Trainer) the doctor recommended that i should get surgery. The surgery is scheduled for 8/28/13. I wanted to ask you if you were able to play soccer again with no problems in your foot after the surgery?? Also, is the screw supposed to removed in time or would it be permanent?? Thanks for this forum man, lots of help.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was at 100% sometime after the operation, not sure how long (there's a post in here somewhere about that). The screw stays in permanently, unless it backs out on its own and has to be removed (this appears to be uncommon). Good luck with your operation, just remember to ice and elevate!
ReplyDeleteI just came across this blog and I am glad I did, because I have been confused about the healing process. I broke my 5th metatarsal this past saturday and went to an orthopaedic who did surgery on Wednesday the 16th. The Dr. inserted a screw into my bone, which seems to be the common treatment for this type of fracture. I am a little confused however, because my Dr. told me that I could bear weight on my foot as soon as I was ready, and as soon as the day after surgery. I was put into a walking cast/boot and told not to remove the bandage from surgery for three days because of the incision and stitches. But, this is only three days after surgery and according to my Dr. it is perfectly okay to put weight on my foot...this sounds odd to me. I am able to put weight on my foot with a limited amount of pain, but it does not seem right for the healing process. Any ideas? Does anyone remember how long their Dr. told them to stay off of their foot after the surgery?
ReplyDeleteHi raneal09, that is not the program I was given after the operation. My surgeon said that theoretically the screw might fix the bone together enough for me to put weight on it, but there is no bone healing in the operation, so the bone has to be given time to heal fully. This is typically estimated to take 6 weeks, but given the site of the break, longer is not uncommon (relatively low blood flow to the area seems to be part of the problem). My surgeon had me with no weight on the foot for 10 days following the operation. I had a scan at 4 weeks that led my surgeon to keep me off the thing (full weight bearing and normal activity) for another couple weeks. If your surgeon is happy letting you walk on the thing, its her/his problem to deal with if this activity creates a recurrence or causes your recovery to take longer. I suspect that the screw is big enough and tough enough to prevent any movement of the bone once the procedure is finished, and that no weight bearing for 10 days (for me) was a sort of seatbelt clause. But I'm in no way a medical professional. I just had a metatarsal fracture. Oh, it's several years later and no issues to report thus far!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was trying to get an idea of what someone else's doctor told them because I thought it was odd to put weight on it directly after the operation. But you're right, it will be up to him to fix the problem if walking happens to create one. I know this can be different for everyone depending on their break, foot and pain tolerance...but were you still in pain for a while after surgery?
ReplyDeleteThat's great that your surgery went well without any complications so far!!!
My pain level was pretty low from the day of the surgery - ice and elevation are your best friends. They'll give you painkillers as well, I only used those on the day of the surgery, after that I didn't really want them and the pain wasn't intense enough to justify using them.
ReplyDeleteI had jones fracture in fifth metatarsal, surgery 2 weeks after injury. Screw looks oddly placed, more diagonal than straight into center of bone. Incision was 4", surgery lasted hour and a half. At two week suture removal, the doctor said whole thing was extremely fragile and even turning my foot could result in screw coming loose or falling out of position. I definitely would NOT walk unless Doctor assured me it was okay to do so. I am going back for my 5-1/2 week (post surgery) visit next Tuesday, Doctor plans to remove cast, and do X Ray to assess level of healing. I have been taking algae cal and strontium boost, will report back if that helped me. My guess is I will be in boot with limited to no weight bearing until 8 weeks after surgery, depending on X rays. Hopefully screw is still in correct position, definitely in my case sounds like a mess - the doctor was freaked out that I would move my foot when they were removing he sutures, he said I could "ruin everything". Any thoughts on this? Is 8 weeks seem like a safe enough time to be able to weight bear? has anyone had issue with screw being too long? How long after surgery is expected for non weight bearing? Is there a downside to keeping cast 8-9 weeks even, as a precaution?
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