How long does a fractured foot bone take to heal?

[artforartssake]

Three weeks ago, while walking down the stairs in my building I lost my footing and missed the last stair. My foot landed on a wooden doorstopper lying on the floor and I went sliding and twisted my right foot. The pain was excruciating but I thought it was just a bad bruise that would heal itself in a few days.

When that didn’t happen, I went for an x-ray five days after the accident and the diagnosis was “a minimally displaced fracture through the base of the 5th metatarsal”.

My doc said that it takes 6 weeks to heal and that in the meantime I should rest and take it easy. He said there was nothing else that could be done and also told me to take Voltaren 25mg twice a day for the pain.

But the day after seeing the doc and getting the x-rays, the pain was so bad that I went to hospital emergency. I was seen by a physio, who fitted me with a special boot, which I now wear around the house.

However, I don’t seem to be making any progress and the pain is still intense. I can’t walk without the boot and I’ve been mostly housebound since the accident. The pain is particularly bad in the mornings after waking. I can’t put on a normal shoe and the foot is still blue and bruised at the impact site.

The Voltaren didn’t help and caused me to have nausea. I tried Panadol and Nurofen but they don’t help much either. Now I just take 4 Panamax tabs a day but they also don’t seem to make much diff.

I’m supposed to be going on an overseas trip in three weeks time and I’m really worried. Fortunately, the trip is mainly to visit family so it won’t involve a lot of sightseeing or other activity.

What should I do? How long will this take to heal? Based on the lack of any progress so far I feel that the doc's assessment of a six-week healing time is way too optimistic.

I guess I should also mention that this same (right) foot was injured about 15 years ago. A “Morton’s neuroma” was diagnosed (that’s some kind of bunching of the nerves) and it was operated on. It took at least a year or two to fully recover from that.

Thanks in anticipation for any suggestions/advice..

[j*oono]

I hate to tell you this artsake but even though the fracture might mend in the six weeks the damage you have done from the sprain and bruising can take a long long time and I mean it can be months.

I spent ages hobbling, even down at the gym and I always wore decent shoes like Nikes.  One of the trainers told me to ditch them and get some Asics.  When I finally got around to it (they are expensive) I would say it was only a couple of weeks before I was limp free.  I sound like an advertisement but I was amazed.  

The doctor told me not to ever walk around bare foot and to always have a slightly raised heel.

If you are in a lot of pain you could also try one of those elasticated foot bandage things that slip on and keep everything snug.  That worked for me a little bit.

[**meep**]

you're doctor is right, about 6 weeks....Isnt panamax the same as panadol ie paracetamol or does it also contain codeine?

i think you  at least need to take panadeine or nurofen plus.  make sure you dont take the nurofen plus on an empty stomach.

stay off the foot as much as you can.

good luck x

[2106greencat]

Broke my ankle just after Xmas - still aches now - sorry 😞

Mind you my bones are old so that could be a contributing factor :^O

[artforartssake]

thanks all, yep I think Panamax is similar to Panadol

I feel so depressed about this and not sure whether to cancel my hol or not (I have travel ins so cancellation will not lead to any fin loss, but I've been looking forward to this for months)

btw, should also mention that I'm a guy aged 56, otherwise in good health

to make things worse, my wife is getting irritated with me moping around the house 24/7 and not being able to help with household chores and the like, not being able to drive either

[moaningmyrtle11]

I agree with meep and joono. It will take 6 weeks for the bone to knit but the soft tissue injury can hurt for months, and I have had bruising that has lasted 4 months

[serendipityricho]

The last paragraph in the OP-could be the problem.

Maybe not just a broken bone---just saying.................Richo.

[kengillard]

do you think you should see a specialist? feet are very important!

[*mrswormwood*]

Maybe you've aggravated the Morton's Neuroma......I have one in my right foot and even the slightest jarring will set off the pain

[*mrswormwood*]

If the pain feels like being cut with a razor blade or an intense burning I'd say it is the neuroma