By Al Kline DPM
The Jones fracture was first described by Sir Robert Jones in 1902 after sustaining the fracture during a Maypole dance. It has also been called a dancers fracture. The fracture is usually the result of stressed inversion and plantarflexion of the foot. Sir Robert Jones treated his fracture conservatively, with good results. However, over the years, there has been some controversy over when to treat the Jones fracture conservatively versus surgically. There has also been some confusion over what consititutes a true ‘Jones’ fracture. There are a number of reports in the literature sighting the high incidence of non-union in Jones fracture. It is thought that the significant tendonous pull of the peroneus longus and brevis tendon accompanied by the inherent decreased vascularity to the styloid process can lead to a high incidence of non-unions. High rates of non-union can also be due to improper determination for surgical intervention or when surgical intervention was not performed early enough. Stress fractures have also been shown to progress to more involved cortical fractures that can also lead to non-unions or refracture. Ortiguera and Fischer reported up to 50% non-union rate after 2 months of conservative casting in athletes treated for Jones fractures. In a randomized study, Mologne et al reported a 44% failure rate including non-union, delayed union and refractures after conservative casting for Jones Fractures.
When is conservative treatment preferred over surgical treatment and vice-versa? It is the authors attempt in this article to introduce a simple classification for determination of conservative versus surgical treatment of a Jones fracture.
Anatomy
It is important to review the anatomy to the base of the fifth metatarsal. The metatarsal is divided into the metatarsal head, distal metaphysis, central diaphysis and proximal body of the fifth metatarsal base and its most proximal styloid process or tuberosity. Cadaveric studies by Theodorou et al showed how the anatomical attachments of the plantar aponeurosis and the peroneal tendons can influence fracture pathogensis at the tuberosity. The entire styloid process and body of the base of the metatarsal is encompassed by broad fibrous bands formed by fibers converging from the lateral component of the plantar aponeurosis and fibers of the peroneal brevis tendon. There are also ligamentous structures inserting into the proximal portion of the tuberosity. There is an anterior frenular ligament extending from the long peroneal tendon to the base of the fifth metatarsal. This would suggest strong ligamentous and tendonous structures that can cause spontaneous avulsion of the styloid process or even body fractures to the fifth metatarsal base on stress. Because of these stresses , it is the authors opinion that any fracture to the styloid process or base of the fifth metatarsal should be fixated or reduced surgically. It is also my opinion that metatarsal stress fractures involving the fifth metatarsal distal to the body of the fifth metatarsal base, should also be repaired surgically.
When we look closer at the base of the fifth metatarsal, the fracture region of the metatarsal is divided into three distinct regions: 1) the most proximal tuberosity or styloid process (T), 2) the body to the base of the fifth metatarsal (B) and 3) the tubular surface just distal to the body of the base of the fifth metatarsal extending into the diaphysis (D).
In reviewing the literature, these ‘zones’ differ and some are delineated by distance from the end of the bone. For instance, fractures that are within 1.5 cm to the end of the styloid process is considered a ‘avulsion’ fracture. Anything distal to that is a ‘metatarsal’ fracture.
There has also been 3 zones of fracture descrbed in metatarsal base fractures: 1) zone of tuberosity fracture, 2) zone of Jones fracture and 3) zone of diaphyseal stress fracture.
For our simplified classification, it is fractures that involve the styloid process that are considered true ‘avulsion’ fractures (T). Fractures to the body of the fifth metatarsal base are considered ‘base fractures’ (B) and fractures distal to the body of the fifth metatarsal base are considered ‘metatarsal’ or diaphyseal fractures (D). In most of the literature, this is also the most common region for stress fractures associated with a Jones fracture.
History of Classifications for Jones Fracture
Historically, there are basically three types of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures 1) avulsion type, 2) fractures within 1.5cm of the tuberosity or styloid process or body fracture and 3) diaphyseal stress fractures. A number of classifications have been sited over the years to differentiate the types of fractures to include 1) type of fracture and 2) whether the fifth metatarsal cuboid articulation is involved (intra-articular fracture). One of the first classifications we learned in podiatry was the
I. M. Stewart Classification. Stewart described a simple classification (Type 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B) and a radiographic classification (Types 1-5). Torg also described a classification (Type 1-3) outlining that conservative treatment is indicated for Type 1, conservative and sometimes surgical treatment for Type 2, and always surgical treatment for Type 3 fractures (nonunions that have intermedullar sclerosing).
Torg Classification
Type 1- No signs of intramedullary sclerosis, a sharp, well-delineated fracture line and minimal cortical hypertrophy.
Type 2- A fracture line that involves both cortices with associated periosteal new bone, a widened fracture line with adjacent radiolucency related to bone resorption and evidence of intramedullary sclerosis.
Type 3- A wide fracture line is seen with periosteal new bone and radiolucency, and complete obliteration of the medullary canal at the fracture site by sclerotic bone.
Stewart Classification
Type 1A – A noncomminuted fracture at the junction of the metatarsal shaft and base.
Type 1B- A fracture at the junction of the shaft and base that is comminuted.
Type 2A –A fracture of the styloid process without articular involvement.
Type 2B – A fracture of the styoid process with articular involvement.
I.M. Stewart also described a radiographic classification attempting to include not only fracture type, but its mechanism of injury.
Stewarts Radiographic Classification
Type 1- Fracture between the epiphysis and diaphysis, Supra-articular fracture caused by internal rotation of the forefoot while base of the fifth metatarsal remains fixed to the ground.
Type 2- Fractures that are intra-articular with one of more fracture lines. This may include comminuted fractures with displacement of these fragments dependant on the extent of damage to the capsule and/or ligaments. This is a fracture type usually caused by shearing forces and internal rotation of the forefoot while the peroneus brevis is contracted.
Type 3- Epiphyseal fractures that are extra-articular. The fracture lines are usually at right angles with the long axis of the fifth metatarsal. This fracture is cause by a sudden, sharp contracture of the peroneal brevis tendon.
Type 4- Traumatic, comminuted fracture to the base of the fifth metatarsal. Mechanism of injury is a crushing force between the cuboid and the ground or shoe caused by direct or indirect trauma.
Type 5- Fractures of children. A partial avulsion fracture of the epiphysis with or without fracture line or hir line as in type 2 fractures.
Introduction of Simplified Classification
Fractures to the base of the fifth metatarsal has been classified as acute fractures and chronic fractures. Acute fractures is associated with acute injury such as twisting or inverting or plantarflexing the foot. This can occur from accidents such as stepping in holes, running, falls and in sports for example. Chronic injuries usually occur in sports such as running. These injuries manifest themselves as stress fractures associated with prodromal pain. The premise to introduce a new classification is based on the high incidence of nonunion and refracture, even in the presence of early stress fractures. Simple stress fractures of the fifth proximal metatarsal can lead to more progressive fracture of the fifth metatarsal base if under treated. This is likely due to the dynamic forces that travel through the fifth metatarsal base that makes it unique amoung the other metatarsals. These fractures have been surgically treated with percutaneous intermedullary screws in athletes. They have reported that earlier intervention will allow athletes to return to pre-injury status earlier. Of course, without proper treatment, there is a high incidence of non-unions and residual swelling and pain that is reported from patients long after they sustained a Jones fracture.
The Simple Classification
Stage 1: No signs of fracture, but pain following acute or chronic injury to the structures attached to the base of the fifth metatarsal and is symptomatic.
Treatment: Conservative casting for 6 weeks with complete non-weight bearing.
Stage 2: Stress fracture to any part of the base of the fifth metatarsal including diaphysis, body and/or tuberosity.
Treatment: Open reduction and internal fixation using percutaneous intermedullary screw to prevent overt fractures and promote stability and quicker recovery.
Stage 3: Overt fractures that involves the body to the base of the fifth metatarsal, styloid process, intra or extra articular, either one or two cortices, regardless of symptomatology.
Treatment: All of these fractures should be fixated though standard ORIF techniques including pinning, plating and solitary dynamic compression or tension banding.
Radiographs highlighting early stress fracture that can progress to overt fracture. Here, is an example of intermedullary screw fixation as described by Cedric J. Ortiguera, MD and David A. Fischer, MD (Ortiguera, C, et al: A Review of the Current Treatment for Fracture of the Proximal Fifth Metatarsal as First Described by Jones Orthopedic Technology Review 2 (4), 2000)
Discussion
Patient symptomatology and radiographic/MRI findings play an important role in the decision to perform surgery. For instance, a patient that presents with localized pain to the proximal fifth metatarsal, but no avulsion fracture or stress fracture to the fifth metatarsal either after acute or chronic injury, will likely respond very well to conservative bracing and casting. If a stress fracture is suspected and not obviously seen on radiograph , a differential of peroneal tendonitis versus actual stress fracture should be ruled out. The MRI could be ordered to get a more definitive diagnosis in that case. It must be said, however, that under-treatment of this condition may lead to fracture and avulsion due to the weight bearing forces exerted through the base of the fifth metatrasal on gait. In the stage 2, if the stress fracture is seen on radiograph or MRI and is painful, intermedullary screw compression is indicated. Conservative casting could be attempted, however there is a probability of non or delayed union if in the area of the styloid or body of the fifth metatarsal base. Refracture or more pronounced fracture may also result. In the stage 3 fracture, all attempts at surgical correction should be attempted initially without the need for conservative casting. An attempt at casting a styloid fracture that encompasses either one or two cortices, will likely lead to non-union and improper healing of the fracture. Early surgical intervention using standard ORIF techniques is recommended. Once the fracture is fixated, proper non-weight bearing in a posterior splint for 2 weeks and a short leg cast for 4 to 6 weeks is the authors recommendation.
Conclusion:
The Jones fracture is a common fracture seen through the office or emergency room. Lack of early intervention and improper treatment of this fracture has led to a high incidence of delayed unions, non-unions and refractures. A simple classification system is introduced which stresses the need for earlier surgical intervention in stress related and more overt fractures to the base of the fifth metatarsal. Earlier recognition of stress related injuries and appropriate intervention will lead to a more rapid recovery.
References: Mologne, TS: Early Screw Fixation Versus casting in the Treatment of Acute Jones Fractures. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 33:970-975. 2005
Ortiguera, C, et al: A Review of the Current Treatment for Fracture of the Proximal Fifth Metatarsal as First Described by Jones Orthopedic Technology Review 2 (4), 2000 Strayer, S. et al: Fractures of the Proximal Fifth Metatarsal American Family Physician 59: 9 , 1999.
Jones, R. Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal Bone,
Liverpool med. Surg. J. 42: 103-107,1902 Jones, R. Fracture of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Bone by Indirect Violence, Ann. Surg. 35: 697-700, 1902Stewart, I.M. Jone’s Fracture: Fracture of Base of Fifth Metatarsal Clini. Orthop. 16:190-198, 1960 Dameron, T.B. Fracture and Anatomical Variations of the Proximal Portion of the Fifth Metatarsal JBJS 57A: 788-792, 1975.
Kavanaugh, J.H., et al. The Jones Fracture Revisited JBJS 60A: 776-782, 1978 Pearson, J.B. Fractures of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Br. Med J. 1: 1052-1054, 1962
Peltier, L.F. Eponymic Fractures: Robert Jones and Jone’s Fracture, Surgery 71: 522-526, 1972. Stone, M.M. Avulsion Fracture of the base of the Fifth metatarsal, Am.J. Orthop. Surg. 10: 190-193, 1968.
Torg, J.S., et al Fracture of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Distal to the Tuberosity: Classification and Guidelines for Nonsurgical and Surgical management. JBJS 66A: 209-214, 1984. Zelko, R.R. et al Proximal Diaphyseal Fracture of the Fifth Metatarsal: Treatment of the Fractures and their Complications in Athletes. Am. J. Sports. Med. 7: 95-101, 1979.
Pritsch, M., et al An Unusual Fracture of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Bone J. Trauma 20: 530-531, 1980 Soufflet, M. Fracture of the Base of the 5th Metatarsal (Jone’s Fracture) Radiologic Classification (After I.M. Stewart) translated from Courrier des Pedicures Romands, Chiropodist, April 1983.
Lehman RC, et al Fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal distal to the tuberosity: a review. Foot Ankle 1987;7:245-52. Torg JS. Fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal distal to the tuberosity. Orthopedics 1990;13:731-7.
Parkinson, D.E. et al Biomechanical Principals of Tension Band Wiring Applied to Fractures of the Distal Fibular and Fifth Metatarsal Base JFS 27(2) : 149-156, 1988. Lee, P. et al: Musculoskelatal Collloquialisms: How Did We Come Up with These Names? Radiographics 24: 1009-1027, 2004 Theodorou, D.J. et al: Fractures of Proximal Portion of Fifth Metatarsal Bone: Anatomic and Imaging Evidence of a Pathogenesis of Avulsion of the Plantar Aponeurosis and the Short Peroneal Muscle Tendon. Radiology (http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/figsonly/226/3/857).
© Al Kline DPM, 2006
February 17, 2007 at 8:19 am
I had a fracture and was put on the cast but after 2 weeks xray was taken and was told the fracture was healing and the cast was removed after 3 weeks without an xray but he swelling didnt disappear. I went back to the hospital and insisted on another xray and this time the orthopedic surgeon said my fracture never hael and mine is Jones fracture and he needs to insert a screw. Why was it not diagnosed properly in the first place
February 17, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I can sympathize. It took me a few days and three doctors before I saw someone who realized I had a jones fracture. They are opting for conservative treatment of casting which drives me nuts and keeps me off my job as a nurse. I hope the surgery works… internet sites state it has a great outcome.. good luck
February 28, 2007 at 2:17 pm
My Jones fracture was recognized immediately in ER after my fall. I tried the non-surgical route per Dr. recommendation which had me off my foot for six week with splint and crutches. I was in the hospital for a week with a blood clot in my rt. calf…same leg as fracture which occured one week after accident. Then I was allowed to walk in cast boot for another three weeks. The Ortho Dr. then tried to send me back to work moving furniture, even though fx did not heal…that didn’t work. So now four months later I am having the surgery. I do not see myself going back to moving furniture and hopefully the delay didn’t complicate things. Good Luck to all you other Jones Fx folks.
February 28, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Most of your comments support the notion that early fixation is the best option for treatment due to the high incidence of non-union and re-fracture.
Al Kline DPM
March 26, 2007 at 10:06 pm
This is my 17th week of a boot and now using a bone stimulator. This is the 2nd time I have done this. I am feeling really frustrated. I am a teacher and spend 99% of my day on my feet. I took 5 weeks off of work to help the healing process. Two weeks back and the fracture is worse! Now, the bone stimulator! I am seeing a podiatrist. Do you recommend an orthopedic/podiatrist?
April 17, 2007 at 5:29 pm
2 months ago i was diagnosed with a jones fracture, and wore a cast for six weeks–i didn’t stay off it as much as i should have, but i was pretty good about it.
i’ve had the cast off for two weeks now and i’ve noticed the following….
1. i’m experiencing very little or no pain at all–however, sometimes i feel a slight twinge if i stop short while walking.
2. the bone where the fracture occurred protrudes slightly– it definitely sticks out more than the bone on the other foot.
3. there is slight numbness/’pins and needles’ on the top of the foot.
should i be concerned or is this all part of the healing process? i don’t have health insurance, and am not looking forward to more medical bills….however, i want it to heal properly.
any info would be greatly appreciated.
April 17, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Hi Dan…your fx sounds just like mine. Cast for 6 wks at which time the xray showed a “bridge” across the top of the break and a swirly haze around the break. The cast came off and I was give a walking boot which I could remove at nite and to shower. Another two weeks and the Dr. took another xray that showed 3 “bridges” across the break and more swirly haze. He said I could walk without the boot when ever it was comfy. Tho, I will wear it in public so I don’t reinjure the foot! He said the break usually heals about 90 % in 2 to 3 months but won’t be as strong as before for about 1 year. I also have numbnes and tingling on the top of my foot and some puffiness. He suggested a compression stocking (which Medicare pays for) which I guess will distribute the puffiness and reduce the tingling. I go back in two weeks; but, from the initial prognosis and all the info on the net, I was really worried that the healing would take a lot longer and never be the same! The Dr. also mentioned that the healing process over the first year includes sensitivity to weather conditions. Be careful and don’t overdo it. “Dancing with the Stars” can wait !!
April 20, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I broke my foot walking in wedge shoes last SEPTEMBER and am very into trying any alternative to surgery that I can. I initially was in a cast and on crutches for 8+ weeks no weight and was very good about it all. It appeared as though I was healing well, so my doctor allowed me to start slowly putting weight on my foot. Then I was allowed to go to tennis shoes with a compression stocking. After about six weeks I went back in the cast because I still had a small, but noticeable bump on the side of my foot and still see bruising sometimes along with some discomfort/pain. I was put back in the boot and was given a bone stimulator to wear 24 hours a day (ugh). I still have the “bump” and experience mild pain at the sight of the fx. I have now been taken off the stimulator and have scheduled surgery. I tried all I could to avoid the surgery and wish I had just done it in the first place instead of trying to let nature take it’s course. I’m going on 8 months with this issue and just want it to be all over. Good luck to each of you.
April 25, 2007 at 1:24 pm
I thought I was the only one!
after 4 weeks in a cast I was told I was fine, with no x-ray.Then 1 week with out anything I had a huge lump underneath my foot so couldn’t walk properly. Went back for more x-rays and was told it hadn’t healed at all. So after now 5 weeks in a walking boot I am now waiting to go back next week, the consultant told me if it hadn’t healed it will need surgery. The frustration is emense and I just wish it woud heal. Hang in there.
May 10, 2007 at 9:35 am
I broke my 5th in Nov 05. Was xray’d and put in a cast for 6 weeks. Had ongoing pain in the area and was sent to a specialist in April 06. Saw him a few times and xrays showed break healing but slow. It is now May 07 and I still experience daily pain in the area. Went back to specialist last week who sent me to a pediatrist. She sent me for another xray this week. Still showed original crack but with some healing and union occuring. So, for all of you out there with this break, I feel your pain. My problem is going on and on and on. I now see the specialist again next week to see what he know wants to do. Be patient and keep off your foot as much as possible when you have this break. My issue was that, once the cast was off I was back walking all day at work, running, exercise etc perhaps all too early. Give it a good break (pardon the pun) and rest as much as you can or you may end up with pain 1.5 years later like me.
Cheers and good luck.
May 31, 2007 at 5:51 pm
I just was diagnosed with JONES this past Tuesday. i’m now in the non-weight bearing for 6weeks, x-ray at 4weks. I was told a 6week walking cast after the initial, and a boot after. Does this sound too conservative??? I’m so active, and this bites. Three yrs. ago in July, I missed a step and ended up with a L. Frank dislocation, and it was horrible, but healed perfectly. I’m with the same doctor.
June 27, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Debbie, I just broke mine 2 weeks agoa and have the exact same prognosis. With the Jones, it has a high rate of repeating, and takes a long time to heal. I’m out for 6 weeks, x-ray after four. Walking cast after six, for at least 4 more weeks. Than avoiding uneven ground so as not to overly stress the area for as long as possible.
June 29, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I broke mine on May 22, playing basketball with my son. I was directed to wear a walking cast 24/7 besides showering. I went back to the doc 3 weeks later and the break was actually worse than before! Anyhow, I’m scheduled for surgery next Thursday and just hope it heals right the first time. I’ve read so many horror stories about the on-going problems it’s freaking me out. Oh-well – no more B-ball for me!
June 30, 2007 at 11:43 am
Hi! My story is familiar. I broke my 5th metatarsal and had the surgery on May 10th.
After going through a fiberglass cast I am
now in a boot with the proviso of not putting any weight on it. I return to the
Dr. next Tuesday to see if the bone healing
is enough to be able to put weight on it.
Christine, I don’t think that anyone can tell you exactly how long you will be incapacitated. It appears that it requires
quite a bit of judgment on the part of the Dr. Judging from this Blog and other internet sites, it is dependent on many
factors such as the nature of the break, and the health of the patient.
The important thing I learned from this and other web sites that you will heal and the likelihood of complications from the surgery appears to be low.
July 31, 2007 at 6:19 am
Hi all!
Spent hours in the hospital lastnight for what I thought might have been torn ligaments. Nope…Jones! Now I’m in a boot and crutches. I’m having an awful time getting used to the crutches. My arms are aching and shaky. Any ideas to help with getting used to using them? (muzakshal@hotmail.com)
I’ve been looking online and it looks like a Jones is very much like an Avulsion fracture.
I’ve been reading all of these stories about having to resort to surgery after all. It all sounds so scary. I’m a teacher an currently off on summer vacation…but will be going back in a month. I’m assuming I’ll still be in my boot. That’ll be interesting!
Guess we all just have to hang in there!
August 4, 2007 at 4:06 am
Hi,
I have just had a fracture of 5th MT 2 days ago. the doctor in the Emergercy room told me that it was a fractured base of 5 th MT with displacement but not a Jones fracture. I was asked to partial weight bear with a dynacast and boot on for at least 6 weeks. I doubt whether the bone will healed in a diplaced position. Should I find an orthopaedic specialist for second opinion of having operation at an earlier stage?
August 7, 2007 at 7:27 am
Hello and welcome to this site. Just some updates for you readers out there. We have 3 articles that highlight this condition and its treatment in the Podiatry Internet Journal:
http://podiatry.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/intramedullary-fixation-for-the-jones-fracture-a-case-report/
http://podiatry.wordpress.com/2006/12/18/a-review-of-the-jones-fracture-with-simple-classification-for-conservative-versus-surgical-treatment/
http://podiatry.wordpress.com/2006/12/18/jones-fracture-a-case-report-with-special-emphasis-on-fixation-placement/
Happy reading!
August 7, 2007 at 7:29 am
Just a quick note:
This fracture is mostly undertreated and very misunderstood. Please seek out secondary opinions of treatment in all cases. For the most part, this fracture requires a surgical correction to achieve the best results. Good luck and happy reading!
August 7, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Hi all!
Went to see my family doctor today. I had the x-rays and report sent from the hospital ER to him. My fracture is 1 week old now. I’ve been on crutches and a Herman Munster boot. Doc says that he wants me to try and start walking with the boot, and to go for more x-rays in 5 weeks. SO…5 more weeks walking around in this thing.
I was not having any pain when using the crutches, but am now feeling an ache at the fracture site and in my ankle. Is it too soon to be putting weight on this?
Doc also told me today that my fracture is not displaced so I should not need surgery. Again…sound right?
~Shalyn
August 14, 2007 at 1:53 am
Suffered a displaced 5th metatarsal fracture. Have been in cast for 4 weeks with minimal weight bearing.It has been 4 weeks after the cast has been removed (total 8 weeks ) and still there is a pain persisting in the area of teh fracture and swelling in the region of the fracture, ankle and the leg.(dipping edema ) Would I need to undergo surgery after all this?
August 14, 2007 at 7:54 am
Jyoti,Robert:
I feel sorry for your injuries but welcome to the site. To a large extent the handling of the healing is a mental exercise and it
does help to tell others about what is happening to you.
Jyoti, we are pretty much victims like you of 5th metatarsal fractures. You may need to consult a podiatrist or a orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation of the need for foot surgery.
My story is that I fractured my foot in the last week or so of April. I had my 5th metatarsal broken but it was not a Jones fracture. It was operated on on May 10. Now, it is week fourteen of my postop recovery. My present condition is walking in a “boot” without crutches. My next visit to the Dr. is today. I wonder if tonight whether I will be back to using two shoes.
Robert, I am delighted that the military have new x-ray machines to look into your foot and pellets to help the healing. What is curious is that the major help in healing this condition that has been known for thousands of years is still immobilization and patience.
Take care, everyone.
Ed
August 16, 2007 at 4:18 pm
i have a fracture from soccer in my right foot the doctor said jones fracture and gave me a boot and i tried walking without the boot and i can confidently walk and move without the boot and it has only been broken for 2.5 weeks am i healed?
August 16, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I had surgery the end of June with
placement of a bone graft and screw
for a Jones fracture.I’m on crutches, in a cast, with no weight bearing. My xray from last week shows no healing. I was treated for 11 months (workers comp) with conservative treatment, bone growth stimulator, and PT.How long should it take to see progress?
August 24, 2007 at 11:35 am
Nobody has good news about this break. I rolled my ankle and broke my 5th meta and I went to a foot specialist. The xrays show that the break goes almost completely across, but stops just shy of the area with low blood supply. He simply said he didn’t think it was close enough to operate and told me I could start walking on it whenever I could handle the pain. Anyone have a result like this?
September 11, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Hi I was just told my fracture would take about 6 weeks to heal. No advice as to weather I should walk on it or not so I ended up hobbleing on it pretty soon after! It is now 4 weeks since i fractured my 5th metatarsal. There is still slight bruising and raised at the fracture site. I can now walk on it well but if I step on uneven groud I do feel it. I will rest it as much as I can bare to help healing as quickly as possible. I Glad to hear of someone else who started walking on it pretty soon after, I don’t feel so bad now!!
August 28, 2007 at 4:47 am
Hi,
I have my FU with a trauma specialist for my 5MT fracture last week. He suggested OT for my fracture. So I have tension band wiring done last Friday ( nearly three weeks after injury). He asked me to do more active ankle and foot exercise as this will cause the tension band to pull the fracture site tight together to stimulate healing, however I should avoid weight bearing for 6 weeks for fear of blowing the implants. It depends on how the growth of the bone is to allow me to weight bear. If healing is not satisfactory after 3 to 6 months, bone graft may be necessary in the worst case. So the only thing I can do now is to wait and see.
By the way , can anyone tell me what a bone stimulator is?
August 28, 2007 at 8:13 am
Alice:
I have been using a bone stimulator for about two months. It is a device that sends
electrical waves into the bone. It has been known since the 19 century that electrical waves produce a piezoelectric effect that vibrates and stresses a bit the broken sections of bones. This stimulates bone growth and repair.
There have been many experiments with rabbits, rats, and dogs and more recently with humans. In the last number of years a number of commercial units have been marketed. The one that I have been using is the Physio-Stim by Orthofix. It is easy to use. You can look it up on the web if you wish. It took five weeks for the effect of the stimulator to be apparent; but I believe that it worked for me judging
from the xrays. You should ask your Dr. about whether it is called for in your case.
Hopefully, your insurance will pay for it because these units are not cheap.
Ed
October 18, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Hi all,
I know its been a while since someone wrote on here, but here is my story.
I broke my 5th meta on 14th may 07 at work and ever since that date I have been pushed around from doctor to doctor. The hospital that I was treated at knew it was an acute jones fracture but chose not to operate, putting me in a cast with no weight bearing for 6 weeks. On the 6th week, they xray’d and took me out of the cast claiming that it was better and for me to go on light duties at work for 2 weeks and then go back to my normal duties (which involves walking around all day as well as pushing in chairs etc.) On the 2nd week of light duties I was seen by another Ortho through work in which they took an xray and found out that the bone had only partially healed. I went back to the Fracture clinic at the hospital with this information, they took another xray and claimed that it was fine with no need to operate or even see me again.
It is now oct 07 and I am still having constant pain under the fx area as well as the pins and needles and pain through my peroneal muscles. I am now seeing a physio as well as a podiatrist which is making orthotics for me to wear.
I had another xray last week which showed the fracture has healed but i have small bone fragments floating around (sesmoids) around the fx. The fx still feels like its broken though, so I am highly confused and frustrated as work is now starting to think I am bunging this on and trying to get more money out of them thru workers comp.
Should I bother getting another opinion through another ortho surgeon? or should I get an MRI to make sure that it has actually fully healed? or should I just go back to the Hospital with my symptoms and stress that, even though it has ‘healed’, that I want to go into surgery and have it rebroken and pinned anyway??
If anyone has any ideas on what I should or could do please please please let me know, I’m really at my wits end now
court.bowen@gmail.com
- Courtney.
November 8, 2007 at 10:07 am
Well, Today marks three weeks since the onset of my acute jones fracture. About a year and a half ago i had a stress fracture in the same place and thought it had went away, but evidently it never completely healed. As of right now, i’m on the conservative treatment of 6 months in a fiberglass non-weightbearing cast. However, prior to my injury i was really getting into cycling and planned to race next summer. By the looks of things (as in, what i’ve found in research) I’m not sure if the conservative treatment, which can take months to heal it entirely, is the best option right now. Also, being on crutches, i cannot perform even the most minor of tasks around my office like printing, copying or faxing simply because i can’t carry anything. From a human resources perspective, my association is spending much more on me than i am returning in work and effort, as they have arranged for a cab to pick me up from home every morning and take me back every evening. They would not and could not continue such a service for months. Should I have surgery?
November 20, 2007 at 1:47 am
Last year I developed pain in my right foot. I believe it was probably a stress fracture. I fractured (Jones Fracture) my right 5th metatarsal (in a hockey GF) and was put in a back-slab cast for 4 weeks. It was x-rayed and removed, despite being told it was 75% healed, but would be fine if I took it easy.
At the end of July I did it again, but this time much worse. I had surgery within the week, including a screw insertion and a bone graft to fill the considerable space between the break. Spent 4 weeks on crutches and wearing a boot. After that I had gradual weight bearing in the boot. I’ve been walking with discomfort now since the start of October, seeing the surgeon and having xrays every 4-6 weeks. The surgeon believes it’s healing, but very slowly. I’m not convinced so I’m seeking a second opinion in December. I’ve had a radiologist look at my xrays and he’s convinced there is a definite “non-union” and will probably require further surgery.
Anyone else had a similar experience? How long can I expect before I’ll be right?
December 7, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Hi group. I suffered (I think an avulsion) fracture November 24th playing recreational field hockey with my husbands family. We have no medical insurance, so I was reluctant to get it looked at. After a few days, I decided to have it x-rayed, because I could tell it wasn’t just a sprain, having had sprains and strains in the past.
Sure enough, my left foot shows a fracture on the fifth metatarsal, closer to the base of my foot. The bone wasn’t displaced at all. The doctor said it’s not a Jones, if it was, she said I would have needed surgery. She put me in a fiberglass walking cast with a boot, said a removable air cast was not good enough, but didn’t require crutches. From there, I was supposed to check back in three weeks (Dec 18…my birthday…what a present *sigh*).
So two days ago, our 2 dogs took off on me. I had to chase them through the yard with about 6 in of snow. Stupid, I know, but I was the only one home and these are not chap mutts…I didn’t notice anything then, but since then, I have more pain and now it feels as though I am stepping on something (almost as if I have a floating bone, maybe???) It’s not all the time, but in certain positions and it’s right at the break.
I called the docs off, they wanted me to come right in today, but I couldn’t. The next avail. appointment is Weds…so we’ll see. I’ll keep you poted. I am really discouraged reading ll of these posts. I didn’t realize that foot fractures required so much care and time to heal. I wince when I think about the med bills. As it sits, I owe $8,000 for the birth of our daughter 4 mos ago.
December 26, 2007 at 5:47 pm
On Oct.10,2007, I suffered a Jones fracture stepping down from the tub after hanging a shower curtain. It has now been 11 weeks of not walking, very little weight on it & my orthopedic DR says I can put more weight on it & walk with one crutch. This is difficult as I have used the 2 crutches all this time. It was 75% healed at 9 weeks. I am looking forward to walking again. He said I will need PT. Is that common? I feel like my crutches are a part of me. Will I be walking normal again? I will always be thankful for health after this!
January 21, 2008 at 12:02 am
So nice to hear other people’s experiences. I had never heard of a Jones fracture until I fell over three days ago and gave myself one. I live in Germany and the doctor looked at the xrays and told me that surgery and conservative treatment both have a similar failure rate. I was given a vacuum boot and crutches and told to come back in a week to see if any displacement has occurred. If it displaces, they will operate. If it doesn’t, then I have the choice. I was leaning towards the conservative treatment but now I’ve done a lot of reading, it seems that even when the fracture does heal this way it remains vulnerable and likely to break again. I am trying to be positive but do not want to spend months not working, not dogwalking, etc, if I have to have surgery at the end anyway. Or, possibly, heal and then break again and have surgery. Four days left for consideration…
Good luck to all your feet!
January 21, 2008 at 6:51 am
I have treated roughly 100’s of Jone’s fractures over the past 15 years. I would say that its about 50:50 whether you will refracture if not fixated. This is pretty close to what the literature reports. It really all depends on the type of break. The peroneal tendons have a strong influence on pulling away and distracting a fracture fragment that gives this injury such a high non-union rate. If you’ve every had to put one back together in the operating room, you know exactly what I mean. Good luck!
February 6, 2008 at 10:02 am
It was really great to read everyone’s experiences!
I fractures my 5thM on December 11th and the emergency docs gave me the impression that I would be weight bearing in a week, healed up no problem. (not actually sure if it is a Jones’ Fracture or not. I have been reading info to try and determine, but I am still not certain – what I do know is that it was an undisplaced, oblique fracture of 5th M)
That was 8 weeks ago – and so far my follow-up xrays have showed NO HEALING – none. Sitting here at my desk, my foot aches and pains.
Since then, I’ve gone from a aircast boot, to a non-bearing weight cast, and now to a fibreglass cast and the Ortho Dr. has advised me to walk on it as much as possible.
However, reading after these stories, I am wondering if that is the best advice (because it does start to really ache and pain when I walk too much).
My Dr. mentioned surgery, but only as a last resort – but given this information, it would seem that it should be considered more as an inital option.
Thus far, I’ve been told that there is no reason that it should not be healing – I am young, etc… but after reading this blog, it sounds like not healing with this injury is actually very common.
I am now waiting for a CAT scan appointment, and I think that the Dr. is going to consider those results to determine the necessity of surgery. I am thinking that perhaps it is the best option, considering the non-healing and the incidence of re-injury if you don’t. That may not be my decision, however.
I am now feeling like it could still be a very long time before I am back to normal. Sigh… I miss my shoes, driving (it is my right foot!) and being in my office – it is on the third floor, so I’ve been re-located. Plus, I cannot do my job properly, which is frustrating. My manager has been extremely supportive, but I don’t like doing things at a less than appropriate level.
Any thoughts? :-)
My best wishes to everyone and I hope that your healing is speedy and final!
February 11, 2008 at 6:47 am
Just thought I would post a follow-up on my progress. I had the third week x-rays done and not only have the bones not moved but the break is blurred and the doctor says healing has begun. He said this was a very good sign three weeks in but that I should not get excited because the next three weeks really count.
I have done as I was originally told; sat around for three weeks with my foot elevated in the vacuum boot and used crutches to go to the bathroom and to go to make drinks. Luckily, my neighbours and my husband are walking the dog and my husband works most of the time from home. I know this is not possible for everyone – I have a part-time job and my employer has insisted I stay off for the full six weeks. Not all employers are this understanding and some people are more necessary to their organisation than I am, maybe. However, the doctor told me that my healing is due to three things: taking the instruction seriously to keep the foot still, having good circulation, and lastly, luck. He insisted that I carry on resting for the next three weeks in order to really bond the bones. I am hopeful that this will be the case. Having read some of the more unfortunate experiences on this blog, I am happy to provide a more optimistic result.
One curious thing, though – apart from the initial accident, my foot has had more pain this week than at any time. Is it possible that the healing process causes pain (or has something bad happened? It seems one can’t be sure until the next x ray in three weeks’ time…)
February 12, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I broke my 5th metatarsal on Dec 5th 2007. That will be 10 weeks tomorrow and as of last x-ray last week, there is no sign of healing at all. There is also an awful lot of pain, at times extreme. The emergency doctor put me into an air cast and said I could walk on it right away. My own doctor told me, when she finally saw me, that she would have had me off it for two weeks at the start. So, except for the first weekend and another 3 days for bad days of pain I’ve been going to work. Luckily it’s a sit-down job, but I have to go up and down my stairs at home (we live in a loft), get someone to drive me to work, since it’s my right foot, clomp around there and then back again. I use a cane since I don’t have the upper body strength for crutches. I see the specialist on Friday and I am expecting at the very least I’ll be off work for awhile. I’ve had to cancel a trip to New York to see Davy Jones early next month since I refuse to clomp around NYC in this cast. I am incredibily frustrated and hope that this will get fixed soon. It isn’t a Jones fracture, it’s further down the shaft straight across with a gap on the outside. I had originally thought that this far down it would be fine, but I guess not for me.
February 16, 2008 at 9:12 pm
update – not good. I have to wait another 6 weeks for another x-ray to confirm it’s not healing. The specialist said there may be fibrous tissue that is just not showing up on x-ray. Keep walking on my foot and have a good day.
February 18, 2008 at 8:25 pm
My 13yr old daughter sustained a fifth metatarsal fracture in mid Dec 2007.At this time she also broke her second toe. Following fortnightly x-rays and non weight bearing whist on crutches with a back slab there was still no sign of union in Feb of this year. During the 8wks of initial treatment we were given various do’s and don’ts by different Drs, all seemingly to disagree with what the other had said and recommended. We have since seen an othopedic peadiatric specialist who has recommended the fitting of a cam boot. We have proceeded to do this and are due to go back for an x-ray and review in 4weks. It was explained to me that the ability to weight bear whilst wearing the cam boot will keep her foot immobilised but will alow for the tendon to push the bone back in place and prevent joint fluid from entering the break. My understanding is that the previous treatment was allowing the tendon to continue pulling the bone away from the break therefor causing non union. I also believe from what was said that the joint fluid that enters the break prevents callcification of the bone forming. It has been an extremely long and frustrating process keeping in mind that we were initially told it would heal quickly. My daughter is a very activie 13yr old, devoted to many sports and participates in an elite level of netball. Our only hope now is that the treatment we are currntly undertaking finally works or else it will be another 4wks down the drain and surgery.
February 27, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Sally-
The use of a cam boot to prevent joint fluid from going into the joint is something I have not heard. I got my JB at the beginning of Nov and after the first 6 weeks of non weight bearing the ex-rays showed the the top of the break was healing but not the lower section. Went back four weeks later in Jan and almost no change. Went back last Friday and hardly any change. My doctor says not to put any weight on it for another four weeks. It seems like everyone else was told to walk on it in a boot. Now mine was swollen up until a few weeks ago and then started to look like a normal foot. I decided to not follow doctor’s orders and actually put weight on my foot and sort of walk. No pain but my foot swelled up a bit. Doe anyone else have their foot swell up when put weight on it? She will not tell me why she does not want me to walk like everyone else. It appears that your daughter’s doctor has a reason that you should put weight on your foot as soon as you can. I wish I could find a study that shows that joint fluid going into the break prevents healing so I can bring it to her. Judgeing from the lack of union rate as well as the refracture rate I am ready to ask for a screw fixation. I am not sure that I can talk my doctor into doing it and because I belong to an HMO I can only do what the doctor advises. My doctor does not like surgery- mentions failure rate and infection but I never see those statistics in any search I have done.
March 2, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Further update on my progress. In case you haven’t seen my other two posts, my doctor recommended conservative treatment in the form of a vacuum boot, crutches and absolutely NO weight on the foot for six weeks. Well, with only a bit of cheating, I managed it. My reward was being told that the fracture has healed – still slightly visible on the x ray but the doctor is confident that all will be well. I am now allowed to use just one crutch as walking stick and keep the vacuum boot but now allowed to put weight on it and walk as normally as I can but to take things gently. This means I can go back to work, thank goodness.
The next stage after two weeks is to use a custom-fitted carbon insole for my ordinary (flat) shoes and begin ordinary life again. After two weeks of this, further x rays will be taken and some physio given, if needed.
My foot still hurts when I try to walk on it without the boot, so I am glad to have its support while adjusting to walking again. My physio friend explained that the six weeks non weight bearing was to give the bones a chance to knit without the tendon constantly pulling on the end of the bone every time weight is put on it.
Again, I’m lucky I’ve had support which has enabled me to follow this advice, and it has been a frustrating six weeks. However, things are looking good and I hope the rest of you also mend well, whichever treatment you opt for. Good luck.
March 6, 2008 at 9:32 am
I broke my fifth metatarsal on Nov 14,2007
was in a hard cast for 13 weeks. It wasnt healing so I had surgery on Jan 25 , 2008
for internal screw fixation. Six weeks after surgery I am actually going back today for an xray to hopefully determine if
I can start some weight bearing on my foot.
I have not walked in 4 months, and have found this whole injury to be incredibly depressing and frustrating. Of course in looking back I should have insisted on the surgery from the beginning. My ortho was
very conservative in his treatment of me and from all of the reasearch I have done regarding this type of injury casting a true
“Jones Fracture” does not have a good outcome and most people end up having the surgery afterall.Because I have been non weight bearing for the past 4 months my foot doesnt even feel like it’s actually part of my body. I havent even been able to start any PT, I went once for some range of motion exercise and was up the whole night in worse pain than when I broke it or the day I had the surgery. I feel like I have “lost” the past 4 months of my life. This type of injury limits everything you can do as anyone who has had it knows. My advise to anyone who has this type of break is to insist on the surgery asap or go to an ortho who is aggressive in treating it.
Good luck to you all!!
March 12, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Shanaee returned to the specialist last week for another xray and progress report. Great news, the break has finally healed, upon close up of the xray you can just see where the brek was. Her cam walker is now off and she has begun doing some simple phsio which invoves walking in water. Her joints are extremely stiff and she still walks around as if it is broken but that is suspected i supose after such a lengthy period of immobilization. She is booked in t see a phsyio therapist next week. It is amazing the extreme caution that follows an injury such as this in hope that it doesnt ocur again. Joy at last the long wait is finaly over. I sincerly hope everyone else progresses well, i empathise with you all over the duration and frustrations involvd in the healing process.
March 14, 2008 at 10:29 am
Well, Jones Crew, I went back for an Xray 6 weeks after my surgery for internal screw fixation and it has not started to heal AT ALL! Even the DR. was scratching his head. He sent me for a consult with a trauma spec in foot and ankle surgery who said he wouldnt consider doing anything else surgically for 3 months after my first surgery (which would be 4/7) so in the meantime they gave me a bone stimulator to use for the next 4 weeks. I have heard mixed results about those so I dont have alot of confidence in seeing much in terms of improvement. It appears I may have to have yet another surgery, bone grafting this time and maybe some plates. I am so frustrated, this just seems like it’ll never end. Anyone else out there use the bone stim after a failed surgery?
March 17, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I fell on Dec. 20th,,didn’t go to a doctor for 10 days, then discovered I had a Jones Fracture. Just like so many of you,, 4 weeks of hard cast, then 6 weeks of Cam Walker. First 2 weeks, no healing!! Next some hopeful signs of healing at 6 weeks. Now,at almost 3 months, still not healed. The doctor said to go back to flat soft shoes and very limited walking while it healed further. He’s ordered a bone stimulator also. I was having almost no pain in the Cam Walker. Now, after 3 days without it, my whole foot hurts. For the first time my ankle and the top of my foot hurt. I’m wondering if it’s just because all muscles are shot from 3 months of doing so little walking. No therapy was suggested, but I’m thinking it’s needed. Any thoughts for me?
March 22, 2008 at 2:28 am
hi everyone i got my jones fracture feb 29 dam leap year lol well i was told in the er it was a acute jones fracture and told to see a ortho well he told me to get the surgery for internal screw fixation and was in a immobilizer for a week then a air cast with toe touching only for balance after week 2 i got a xray and the bone didnt compress all the way he said the bone should fill in i hope if it doesnt after 12 weeks then i have to get a diff screw installed
March 27, 2008 at 6:36 am
I’ve been posting here the progress of my conservative treatment. Today is my last day of ten weeks’ treatment so far, six weeks immobility in vacuum boot and crutches, two weeks walking with vacuum boot and one crutch, two weeks walking with carbon insole and no crutches. Tomorrow I have another ortho appointment to check progress. Well, I don’t feel my foot belongs to me anymore, even my leg seems out of control. I’m hoping to have some physio as follow up treatment if the foot is sufficiently healed tomorrow. I think I need physio to bring my foot and leg back to fully working order and into my consciousness to give a little confidence. I walk like a fragile old lady and scan the pavement to check for unevenness or obstacles as I’m not in control of the injured foot and cannot compensate with a natural reflex. Ankle pain almost every day – no idea why. All this is probably normal but depressing after having had everything go so positively up until now.
Shall post tomorrow after seeing the doctor again – hopefully, more cheerfully!
Take care, everyone, Barbara
March 27, 2008 at 7:20 am
Barbara, I have to say I am jealous that your walking after 10 weeks. And also I totally understand your saying you dont feel your foot belongs to you anymore. I dont know if you’ve read my info in past postings, but I am almost at 5 months of no weight bearing, I’ve had it all, cast, surgery for screw fixation and now a bone stimulator, beacuse it has not shown any signs of healing since the surgery. Frustrating doesnt really cover all of my feelings. I actually go back today for an xray to check for any signs of healing. It’s been almost 3 months since my surgery, so if there is no sign soon, another surgery may be needed. This is the most frustrating, limiting, aggravating injury I have ever had. I keep waiting for some ray of good news to come my way, maybe today…
Good luck to us all!!
March 27, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I fell at work and was diagnosed with a 5th metatarsal fx on 3/21/08. It was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt. Saw the ortho surgeon today and diagnosed it as a Jones fx. Lots of pain and swelling. He said I tore ligaments and need it elevated above my heart for the next 4 days for the swelling to go down so it can be casted. Then non weight bearing and elevated the next 4 weeks. Then new cast, 2 weeks NWB then a walking boot. 6 weeks off work minimum plus no guarantee it will heal. I get it that the statistics are not good for re-injury later. After reading everyone’s experiences I feel I need to talk to the doctor more seriously about surgery now rather than later. Get the screw in there to help this heal. If he doesn’t want to I will be asking why not and, depending on his answer, will get a 2nd opinion. Thank you all for sharing it has been very helpful. I will let you all know what happens.
March 28, 2008 at 10:32 am
Stormy, speaking from my own expierience, unless you are an athelete, most Dr’s will not operate as a first option. They tend to assume this type of break will heal using conservative treatment (casting) and dont consider what NWB for weeks/months does to disrupt a patients life/work. From all of my research and my own expierience this type of injury does not heal well ( quickly)
with conservative treatment and even with the surgery ( which I have had) after months of conservative treatment I am still NWB and going on my 5th month since I broke it. The Jones fracture is a miserable
injury to have and as the patient you have to be assertive and demand the surgery as an
immediate option. I wish I had, or was given that option intially, perhaps I would be walking by now. Atheletes should not be given the priority because they are considered more active. Talk to your Dr about this now, good luck to you!
March 28, 2008 at 5:45 pm
i was lucky with the first 5 min of talking to my dr he said i should go for surgery
April 5, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I had a jones fracture from basketball and the doctor said i should have surgery to have the best results to play at college. So, i had surgery and i was just wondering how long until i am off the crutches and walking again?
April 7, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hi Greg,
I think everyone is different, but the Jones fracture does tend to take a while to heal. I had my surgery in Jan and am still
non weight bearing. It just hasnt started showing any signs of healing yet. Maybe you’ll have a quicker recovery. Good luck to you!
April 8, 2008 at 9:48 am
Update on my fracture. After 16 weeks the x-rays showed it has finally started to heal. It is filled in about 1/2 way across, not good bone yet, but real improvement. He said they called it delayed union. I almost said “You think?” Anyway, my next xray is in May and I can start trying a hard shoe now sometimes. I only do that at work in case I trip over the dog or cat or anything else at home. Still have major pain sometimes but at least there is a possible end to that tunnel. I can’t wait to drive again and stop being trapped. At least I’ve been able to walk since the beginning, but maybe that was part of my delay. I think 4 months and counting is quite long enough, thank you.
April 9, 2008 at 12:38 am
ok update week 5 after surgery im weight bearing 1/3 of my body weight the bone is healing nicely
April 9, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I broke my foot 2\188 at work. Got up from the desk, took 4 steps, went to turn and felt a pop and unbearable pain. No swelling, no bruising. Went to my Primary Dr., took x-ray. Yup broke. Sent to podiatrist. He said it was a Jones fracture. Cast it. Said I could put weight on it as tolerated. Now 7 weeks later, no sign of healing. Bone stimulater for 1 week already. Go back 4\21. I am frustrated, angry, and fed up with my cast. I feel that Workman’s comp is running the show. All decisions have to go through them. Like they live my day to day life. I care at home for a disabled sister-in-law and mother-in-law. Hard to give baths with a full cast.
Dr. said if I have surgery, I could be totally off my feet for 2-6 weeks. Probably longer. The not having a definitive answer stinks.
Sorry to vent. Thanks.
April 11, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Dabra, I’m really sorry you’re having such a bad time. Because this fracture is not life-threatening, people don’t really understand how debilitating it is, both physically and psychologically – at least everyone on this blog can identify with the waves of depression and frustration caused by having one’s life so compromised.
I had my last check-up and told the doctor about the pain I was still having and that I was scared of refracture and thought the pain was warning me. He x-rayed again and told me the bone was now completely healed and to ‘move, move, move’ (Well, I live in Germany, so “bewegen, bewegen, bewegen”. Since then I’ve tried to push through the pain, I’m back at work, I’m walking the dog and trying to normalise. I caught sight of myself in a shop window the other day and I look like a drunk person walking along. I’ve no idea where this pain comes from but my toes won’t bend enough to spring me into the next step and I have pain on top of my foot. My husband says that after only one week since losing the metal innersole, I am expecting too much and should be more patient. The problem is that I’m not seeing even the slightest improvement day by day. I have another appointment in three weeks’ time, hopefully with less to complain about.
Good healing, everyone.
April 14, 2008 at 6:54 am
Barbara, It is nice to know that people on this site can at least relate to how limiting this injury is. I’m sure walking is difficult for you. Have you had any PT? I just started last week and truly beleive I need it to gain muscle strength back and
it sounds like you would benefit from it also.Perhaps you should talk to your DR about it. I finally got a bit of good news from my lasy xray, the bone is finally showing a small bit of calcification!!! After 5 months thats great news, so I can put some weight down on my foot, it’s in walking boot and I’m still on the crutches but it’s a start. Hang in there Barbara, keep on walking!
April 15, 2008 at 2:52 am
I just finished my third week since the fx. I’ve been to the ortho surgeon twice and have so much swelling that he will not cast. I have had it elevated above my heart and now have most all the swelling down. I see the Dr in 3 days and get my first xray and cast. My ankle sustained so much tissue damage – torn ligaments and blood vessels – that my ankle has no shape. The ankle is 1/2 again larger than the other with no edema. I have not put any weight on this foot at all. He has said non weight bearing for at least 6 weeks. I am on workers comp and now as I look at the shape of my foot and the probability that this is long term, I am getting very discouraged. I don’t exactly feel pain but it is uncomfortable to have it down for very long. It feels like it’s going to sleep and the whole foot will turn a purplish color. Almost immediately when I elevate it the color returns to normal and feels better. Has anyone had this problem? If so, how long did it last?
The depression is getting to me. There are days when I feel like I am in a prison.
And are any of you dealing with food issues like me? I am so concerned about putting on weight. What are you doing for exercise or to keep yourself from gaining weight? I have some very dear freinds that are bringing food over all the time. It’s too easy to try to eat away these feelings. I told everyone low carbs and no chocolate. So far so good. Please, any suggestions for exercise?
April 16, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hey people i have been reading all these messages and i wanted to know if you guys can actually move your toes and ankles around comfortably? I was told my injury was a minor jones fracture but i can move my hole foot around after one week? theres just a little pain on the side of my foot
April 20, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Stormy, sorry to hear your having such a hard time. I am 5 months since fracture, having had casts then surgery. I have just started ( last week) putting weight down on my foot. I am down to 1 crutch but still wearing walking boot. My foot still gets purple when I have it down for any length of time and like you as soon as I put it up the color returns. I was told its from lack
of circulation. I understand your frustration/ depression . I think most of us with this injury dont initally realize
how long term it can be ,it does get very
hard coping day to day.
I agree , the food issues can be tough. Its easy to eat when going thru the recovery
just keep in mind that we will walk again and need to get into our summer clothes!! I’ve tried to do other exercises( stomach, etc) whenever possible.Try and stay positive, I know it can be hard but remember you will heal and be back to your old self. Hang in there!!
April 26, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I’m amazed at how many other unfortunate people are having to endure this ordeal. With the reading I’ve done, I find it’s very common in elite athletes. However, not much comfort being in such famous company.
I’m finishing my eleventh week, 4 weeks in a cast and the last 7 weeks in a walking boot. I feel everyone’s pain, having exepienced all the frustrations of not being able to drive, use of crutches, lack of exercise, and the knowledge that a complete heal is likely not in the cards on the first round of conservative treatment. I’m heartened by all the nice actions of people wanting to help, from my friends who drive me EVERYWHERE, to strangers holding the door, offering to carry my grocery bags, to the politicians who put in place measures to aid the handicapped such as parking spaces, ramps, automatic doors, to the medical industry who make available appliances such as shower benches and replacement tips and pads for my crutches. Not a lot to make one feal better, but it’s something.
I’m pissed off at the health care process that forces me to go throuh extended conservative treatment where the success rate is low. Clearly statistics show that surgical repair is the most effective form of treatment but they’ll only provide that for the aforementioned athletes who get surgical repair at the time of injury. Heck, even bone growth stimulators would be helpful but you can’t get that covered until at least 90 days. My surgeon has prescribed custom orthotics to help the long term process but my insurance won’t poney up a dime for those.
My injury was due to walking in poorly fitted shoes. I had two pairs of Merrill outdoor shoes. They always caused mild discomfort for my right foot and I had worn them a little because of the discomfort. But after a week of wear in January, the stress fracture had developed which turned into a fracture upon getting up from the floor one day. My orthopedic surgeon said that poorly fitted shoes are one of the main causes of the Jones fracture. Like most other things, they don’t make shoes like they used to.
My best to all of you…time flies when you’re having fun…just look at it as a challenge to beat the odds, be the best patient, heal better and sooner than everyone else by following Dr’s orders, staying positive and proving all the experts and statistics wrong.
April 29, 2008 at 3:11 pm
You guys have me really worried about my treatment. Last Thursday while playing softball I rolled my foot over. Went to the doc on Friday and after a series of x-rays, they confirmed it – Jones. So the doc (PA, actually) put me in a boot (no crutches), said to keep it elevated whenever possible, and come back in 4 weeks. Reading your posts, it seems most (if not all) of you were put in a cast right off the bat. My pain threshold is seriously high as proven by my continued game play for the final 1.5 innings. The x-rays showed a very clear break (wide at the bottom and narrowing towards the top) which looked to be all the way through the 5th metatarsal. Perhaps my ability to walk into the doc’s office kept them from casting it?? Should I get a 2nd opinion? Thanks a million.
May 1, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I think I have you all beat. I am sporting 2 yes that is 2 jones fractures. One on each foot. lets say my orthopedic was not too pleased. Anyway, they are about a week apart from each other, the first one was done surgically, so now i have a sweet screw in it and the other one im doing without the surgery. i thought having one foot was bad… anyway, because of the fact my ortho thinks im a retard, he thought id be better in two casts rather than boots, mainly to protect me from myself… What information i have to say is BE CAREFUL. When he went into my first foot he said the bone was incredibly hard, which could mean i walk on the outsides of my feet. I am a Chef so i am constantly on my feet for well over 10 hours a day 6 days a week. Not being on them and in the kitchen is killing me and seriously jeopardizing my job. SO BE CAREFUL 6 week minimum NO WEIGHT, keep it elevated at all times, ice it 20 minutes every hour for the fisrt couple of days and then a few times a day after that, baby it, treat it like one of those spheres of chemical goo from “The Rock” don’t poke at it or see how well you can wiggle your toes, take a multivitamin every day and a baby aspirin every day to help prevent blood clots.
May 3, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Andy J, I would say yes. I personally wouldn’t leave a Jones fracture to a PA. I would go to an orthopedic surgeon.
In the end, I think I could probably have gone directly into the boot instead of the cast… but even in the boot, I would have had to been non-weight bearing and using crutches. The boot immoblized the foot, kept the foot from going into flexion, and it’s a pretty tight fitting device which helped keep my foot from swelling. In the cast, once the original swelling went down, the cast was very roomy which allowed swelling from poor circulation to develop. The boot almost acts as a compression stocking. So using the boot while in non-weight bearing mode would have worked and in the end you’d be wearing the same boot while in graduated weight stages.
May 4, 2008 at 4:12 am
I sustained a Jones Fracture while walking across a large speed hump om my way into work on Jan 11 ‘08. I heard a loud snap and immediately thought tendons/ligaments and was quite surprised at the fracture diagnosis.
I saw a GP, had xrays which said fractured 5th metatasal. Dr had his nurse put this huge wobbly plaster cast on my foot and said have a week off work and can return. I have to drive 45mins each way and it was my right foot. He said “no matter, the car is an auto isn’t it?” Er, yes but it was my right foot.
After discussion with family, I saw a different GP who laughed and said no way, I had to stay off my foot for 8 weeks and get that cast changed to a fibreglass one.
I followed the cure for 8 weeks and no sign of healing, so off to the Orthopaedic Surgeon I went. A lovely straight talking fellow who said it was never going to heal without surgery.
A week later I had a bone graft with a bone marrow transplant (hoping for some good stem cells), a metal plate and 5 screws place in and over the break. I was also ordered total non weight bearing for 6 weeks until he said so.
It is looking good and I am allowed now to do gentle walking which is wonderful after 4 months of no walking. I still have a huge amount of swelling, a lot of pain and walking is difficult. I am unable to walk bare foot or move my toes without pain. The only shoes I can wear are reef sandals with velcro tops that can be extended with the swelling. I am taking it one day at a time. I see the surgeon again at the end of next week, hopefully he will be able to shed some light on the pain I am still experiencing in my foot.
At our last visit he did make a point to tell me “he would not and could not tell me when it (my foot)would be back to “normal” again”.
It’s good to see I am not alone, although I would not wish this on anyone. Thanks for sharing
May 7, 2008 at 7:15 am
Kyle, you sound like you have us all beat, but let’s see how long it takes you to heal. You might be more fortunate than it seems and heal quickly. And I took you up on your multi-vitamin suggestion (and have added calcium supplements to the regimen).
Sharon, stories like yours are the reason I asked for guidance. Four months is an incredibly long time to be off of your foot! Your repair is more extensive than the usual single screw driven from the top of the tuberosity down through the center of the stem.
Dan, thanks for your reply. I have an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist (orthopedic surgeon) on Friday. I’m doing my best to be the best patient like you suggested. I must say, my foot feels better than a week ago, though I am doing my best to keep the weight on the inside part of my foot. Perhaps I have begun to heal?
Has anyone else had a period of time where it felt pretty great (without putting weight on it), but then found out it wasn’t healing?
Thanks everyone and good luck to all!
May 7, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Dabra, thanks for the understanding! I’ve now had a month of walking ‘normally’ and am still feeling tightness across the middle of the foot and weakness and aching in the ankle. Saw the doctor yesterday and he’s offered me a course of physio, which I started today. Nice friendly physio, who said the ankle needs stabilizing and strengthening to regain my proper balance (I’m still putting more weight on the strong foot than the weak one), so exercises for that. The tightness across the middle cannot be accounted for unless I haven’t been walking long enough or ‘aggressively enough’. Well, I’ve been walking enough to lose in one month the four kilos (8 1/2 pounds!) which I gained during the six weeks immobility. People do bring you cakes and goodies to cheer you up and you do bloody well need cheering up. Enjoy your food – it’s one of the few enjoyments when you can’t do anything else. You can lose it easily enough afterwards ‘aggressively’ walking to loosen up your foot…
So, I left the dog behind as he doesn’t want to go far or fast, and I walked around the national park in which we live for about an hour, trying to forget the foot and guess what? All pain went and I was walking fast and normally balanced. I couldn’t believe it. Now I’m home, the tightness is back but maybe with a lot of such exercise it will go completely. I am in much more cheerful mode after just one walk – what a rollercoaster this injury is.
Don’t lose hope everybody; it seems that everyone has their own path, method and timing to recovery. Mine continues but at the good end of the scale. Be patient and don’t give up.
Oh, and Kyle, my heart goes out to you but, please, how did you do two Jones fractures one week after the other?
May 7, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Hello. I guess I am here to tell my story. I am 18, broke my foot one week ago. It is a Jone’s fracture caused by stress. Since I broke my other foot 2 years back, had a 10 week healing in a normally 4 week healing fracture, the doc sympathized with me. I had a screw put in 2 days ago, along with bone grafting. The needle they use for that is huge. about the roundness of a pencil. Vicodin is nice. I am in a soft cast. I am told 2 weeks an x ray, analysis a change to boot or a hard cast, then 4 weeks light movement. I don’t believe that 4 weeks number from personal experience. But after surgery w/ grafting, does anyone think 4 weeks is a realistic number? I hope I can walk at graduation.
May 9, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Well guys, I saw an ortho doc today (Friday) and he scheduled me for surgery on Monday. I truly thought my foot was healing as I have next to zero pain while in a boot. An x-ray shows my fracture is actually worse than it was two weeks ago when it happened. Crazy, huh? WIth luck, the surgery will get me on the healing track. He told me I will be on crutches for 1 week and then a walking boot after.
Thanks to all that have told their story. It has really helped me put things into perspective. It also gave me the ability to intelligently debate my recovery plan with the doctor.
Ross, my doc said 8-10 weeks healing time. But, maybe your fracture is different in some way (?).
Good luck all. Take care and be sure to question your Rx if you don’t believe he/she has you on the right plan. Speak up! It’s your foot.
May 9, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hey guys,
i fractured my foot during basketball practice 5 weeks ago. My first doc which is a family doctor gave me xrays and told me it was a jones fracture…all she gave me was a an ace wrap and crutches for a weak till i go to a foot doctor. The next week i went to a foot doctor and he told me crutches and a hard cast for 6-8 weeks…so im schedualed to go back on the 27th to see if it actually healed. Then after that they said i need a walking cast for 4 weeks then 2 weeks on a walking boot. Is this treatment common for anybody
May 10, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Andy, the surgery is pretty painful, I doubt you will want to be in the walking boot only after one week. I just stopped feeling pain/SUPER swelling like 5 days after it. When you stand up you will feel your heartbeat in your foot and the vicodin helps but makes you an uncaring asshole. You are in for a shitty 3-4 days, buy some dvds…
And I am not talking about full healing time, just until I can walk around a bit.
May 25, 2008 at 10:29 am
I’ve given up my cast now. There is still some pain walking, but that could be using my orthotics when my foot has been flat for so long. The specialist didn’t show for my last appt. so I have no idea how I’m doing. The tiny version of my x-ray looked good, so I’m going with that and I’ll see my own doctor in June. No running (not that I ever did) and I’m starting to walk my dog for short walks again. I’m VERY careful on stairs.
May 30, 2008 at 11:17 am
Hi all, after 5 1/2 long months of crutches casting, surgery and more casting I am finally walking on my own in shoes and feel almost normal again!!! I dont have to tell you all how nice that is. This was probably the most disruptive, depressing and frustrating injury I have ever had (hopefully the last one)I wish you all well in your recovery!!!!!
May 30, 2008 at 11:18 am
After two weeks in a boot, I saw my ortho doc and he performed the surgery (2.5″ screw). It has now been nearly 3 weeks of crutches (and a split and ace wrap) and I finally was able to switch off to a walking boot this morning. Yeeayyy! So, Ross, you were right. I must have heard wrong when they told me how long I’d be using them. Crutches are really tough for the first week and then you get used to them, though they remain a bit of a hinderance! I was told 4 weeks in the walking boot. We’ll see.
By the way, just so everyone isn’t freaked out about the surgery, I didn’t have much pain at all. But, experiences will vary! I had the surgery on Monday, took a pain pill before bed Monday night and Tuesday night, and switched to ibuprofen on Wed night. I haven’t needed any pain management since Wed night. I may have gotten lucky?
Good luck to everyone. It is very trying, but taking it extra-easy seems to be doing the trick (well, that and a 2.5″ screw!). Take care.
June 4, 2008 at 12:45 am
I sustained a jones fx on March 6th of this year. I was playing basketball and fell over, thinking i had simply rolled an ankle I continued to play until I realized it was something a bit more serious. I went to the ER where i was given crutches and told I would be fine in 6weeks.
Of course never being one to trust and ER doc, I decided to see an Orthopedic surgeon who upon showing me the films revealed that I did in fact have a Jones Fx.
At this point he recommended a conservative approach to treating the problem, to which I agreed, despite the fact that prior to the injury I was playing basketball or running at least once per day. He told me that immediate surgery was only recommended for elite level athletes, and while I may participate in athletics on a daily basis, he thought I would be fine with conservative treatment.
I should say that I am 25 years old…and in Above average health…I was put on crutches with no weight for 5 weeks but without a cast and only in the big black boot. When i returned for my 5 week x-rays the bone was about halfway healed. I was instructed to ditch the crutches and use simply the walking boot. I should also mention that I felt little to no pain in the boot and after 5 weeks walking in the boot (10 weeks since the injury) I felt no pain and was completely asymptomatic, however my x-ray showed no further healing from 5 weeks earlier. Since I was pain/symptom free my doc turned me loose in my shoes to see how it would react. I made it 5 glorious days well 3 of them glorious before my foot swelled up and i was experiencing pain…
I returned to the doc immediately and insisted on surgery. May 23 i had a screw inserted into the 5th Mt with a bone graft. I was told the fracture was healing on the plantar aspect of the MT but still incomplete dorsally….I am returning tomorrow for my first set of post surgery x rays and hopefully to be moved from a soft cast back in to the boot while I will likely need the crutches for a an indefinite amount of additional time.
I have had a rough go of it in dealing with this although I will say the that during the conservative approach I was very ignorant about how serious the injury is and just assumed that it would heal as long as i followed directions. I have since changed my tune and realized what a vital role nutrition plays in the healing process. Your diet can be your best friend in this situation. If you are meticulous about this it can significantly improve your chances of healing quickly. Important but difficult things to stay away from are alcohol, caffeine, sugars, and red meats…all of these things can disrupt calcium absorption in some way and should be avoided or minimized in order to give you the best chance at a quicker recovery.
For pain management and to aid in the healing process you can also try acupuncture which has an excellent reputation for those who are willing to give it a serious chance.
Finally – It is essential that as soon as your foot is out of the cast you begin a physical therapy regimen, even if it is something as menial as exercises to return your ankles slowly to their normal ranges of motion. The more proactive you are about therapy, the less trouble you will have when you are given the green light to start walking normally on your foot. If you ignore your rehab you will have a much greater chance of injuring yourself further due to the compensation for your injury in your gait. Make sure the person in charge of your physical therapy is aware of exactly what type of injury they are dealing with so that they can plan accordingly.
I know this is a tough injury to deal with as it has really had me frustrated at times…but getting angry or upset changes nothing…you are still in the same place as you were before…the important thing is to stay positive and stay proactive…everytime you eat think is this helping me get back or hurting me…It is worth the sacrifice to get back to your activities of daily living…and i wish all of you the best of luck
June 6, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I feel bad for you Brian, you should’ve had surgery right away. Anyways. I went to the doc today (4 weeks post surgery). He told me to crutch with full weight bearing for a week in the boot. Then a week of the boot only, no crutches hooray. Then I can get into a normal shoe. The end is in sight. I go back in 3 weeks to see if its still healing. A bump has formed around it :) Great sign. I have drank a lot of alcohol but I am still ahead of schedule. I guess I’m young so I heal quicker. Good luck to all!
June 7, 2008 at 12:06 am
barbara, i had broken my right foot at work. I am a chef and i was in a walk in. There is a small table in the walk in that keeps product off the ground i hopped over it and landed on my right foot and it just snapped like a twig. A week later I was hopping over to turn a light switch off 5 feet away from the couch and i ended up jumping on my shoe and tumbled over breaking my left foot and cracking the bone on my right foot where the end of the screw is.
I have just gotten back from my 4 weeks in two casts and i have signs of healing on my first broken foot that had surgery in both the new crack and the fracture site. my recently broken foot on the left shows no signs of healing yet but no pain at all. So it’s six more weeks of being off my feet and out of work. HR says i officially get fired july 5th and ive had to extend my apt lease another year. ugh this is such a pain in my ass to not be able to walk whatsoever…
hopefully at the end of these six weeks ill be able to do something. I’ve been placed in two of those frankenstein boots, which i wear some of the time. Since I can’t do anything but sit on the couch i usually take them off and just sit here and put them back on if i have to move around.
June 7, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Just to give a quick update. I went to the doc this week and my films showed good healing. On top of which I am pain free and was instructed to begin walking in a boot whenever I was comfortable with it. Since my appointment was 2 days shy of 2 weeks post-surg, I waited 2 additional days before adding 25% of my body weight to my surgical foot. So far I am completely pain free and doing rehab exercises so that I am able to return to athletics as soon as my fracture is completely healed. I am following the rehab program i found in this article.
http://www.theacc.com/genrel/092005aaf.html
Being an athlete I have found the information both helpful and as a source of optimism.
June 16, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I njured my foot on 5/25 playing softball and was diagnosed with a jones fracture on 5/26. It has been 4 weeks since the injury and foot has good and bad days. My Dr. wanted a hard cast, but because of the summer heat I wanted nothing to do with a hard cast and elected to wear a walking boot. But I often go without the boot because it seems to aggrivate my foot even more, although I am being good about not putting weight on my foot. I have read a majority of the posts on this blog and I have a couple of questions: 1) If my bone hasn’t showed signs of beginning to heal at my check-up tomorrow night, should I schedule surgery? 2) How long is the recovery time from surgery?
Thanks,
Andrew
June 16, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Andrew,
I do not want to tell you what to do, I mean it is your body. I attempted the conservative approach at first and my bone showed good healing from week 0-4…however it showed none from week 4-12 which was what prompted me to opt for the surgery. However, If I could do it all over again, I would have had the surgery as soon as possible. As it was, I waited 12 weeks until surgery which was about 3.5 weeks ago. I can tell you from my experience that the way my foot feels now is far better than it did 3.5 weeks after the initial break. I am currently walking without pain in a boot and working on my rehab so that when the bone is healed I will be ready to return to activities.
Dr’s try the conservative/non-surgical approach because most people want to avoid surgery if they can. If your biggest concern is being able to use your foot again athletically, then surgery is probably the best option. Typical recovery time from a procedure with a screw fixation and a bone graft is 6-8 weeks. If you are young and healthy you should have no problem recovering in that time frame.
June 19, 2008 at 9:22 pm
hello all!
thanks for all of the helpful information on this site! i had my jones fracture about 3.5 weeks ago and was put into a hard cast for 5 weeks with no x-ray ordered until the 5 weeks is up. the big plus seems to be that i was diagnosed right away and splinted then casted. yes, i too got the orders for the crutches. the bruising under my arms is quite nice – and the looks i get on the street from strangers as i’m crutching it at least 8 blocks to and from work some days is quite amusing.
a question for everyone – i have 4 dogs and have had to walk them by ditching my crutches. i use my good foot, have a thick soled cast shoe and use the heel of that to scoot along. has anyone ever done some weight bearing on their heel during the healing process? what have your results been? will this totally not allow healing to begin? i unfortunately, like some here, don’t have round the clock support at home where i can be on crutches all the time. any anecdotal stories similar to mine are appreciated.
keep the chin up fellow jones fracturers!
June 19, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Hello all. I am officially off of the boot tomorrow. I hope this is the last of the injury. Good luck to everyone with this. The end is in sight. Now to rebuild my muscle!
June 22, 2008 at 2:17 am
Hey all I fractured my 5th metatarsal on the 2nd of jun 2008 while me and my friends were on a grad trip and my leg was put in a cast for 4-6 weeks. 3 weeks later I can walk without crutches but my leg is still in a cast. This was the worst time to fracture my foot as it’s the beginning of summer and my friends are all going to the beach/waterfalls/on boat trips etc and I can’t fully enjoy them… Though I’m told that I can take the cast off after 1 or 2 more weeks hopefully!
June 26, 2008 at 2:10 am
hey everyone!
i broke my 5th almost 7 months ago playing soccer. i went straight to a walking boot, no weight for 2 weeks, then in the boot for another 6 weeks. after that the doctor said it was healing and i did not need to wear the boot any longer. but no running for another month, well i was stupid and decided it was ok to go back to sports, pushed through the pain and now there is a large, quarter size bump just above where the break was. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS BUMP? i dont know if i need to go back to the doctor or if its normal after a break… any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
June 27, 2008 at 4:54 am
Melissa – I know that I had that bump right when my break was made (not to freak you out!). So, better safe than sorry, I’d say go and check with the doc. Good luck! I’m getting my hard cast off after 5 weeks next Wednesday and am hoping for a boot (and not another cast or surgery!)
July 1, 2008 at 1:05 am
Sean,
Thanks for responding! I think I will have it checked out when I get a chance to slow down! good luck with your foot!
July 1, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Hi Everyone.
I broke my 5th on June 26 and was told by the doc it was a jones fracture. I went to the hospital and was in an aircast within 6hrs. The doctor told me that i would be on crutches for 7-10 days and then be able to walk with the boot on for 6 weeks. I am normally a quick healer and have already started putting conservative weight on the foot (without pain) and its only been 4 days. However, reading all of the comments makes me wonder if a non weight bearing approach is smarter.
Any tips would be great
Thanks
July 2, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Hi all! Just got to the ortho today and got my cast off! Woo woo! I saw a different doc who looked at my original xray and said that my fracture was a bit too low to be a Jones. He thought the first doctor had misjudged. Egad! At any rate, now in a boot for 6 weeks and only need crutches if there is pain. So far so good. The pressure from the boot actually feels REALLY good on my foot.
Best of luck to all in the healing process. I still have a bit to go but am glad that I transitioned this way today.
July 4, 2008 at 9:28 am
Pete, if I were you, I would keep the weight off until your next doctor visit. I broke my fifth metatarsal on June 13 – that was Friday the 13th! – and origionally was put in a soft shoes with crutches. Not feeling comfortable with that, I landed an appointment with one of the leading U.S. orthopidics in NYC a few days later and they immediately said Jones Fracture, casted my leg and NO weight at all or it will not heal. I’m a marathon runner, very active and am going crazy being so immobilized, but it’s probably the smartest thing to just wait it out until you get cleared from your doctor. If you mess it up now, you will regret it later for sure!
To those who have made it through this horrible fracture…keep providing the encouraging news for those of us here who are struggling through it! It helps alot to know there is light at the end of the tunnel!!
The best to everyone!
July 6, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Hey Everyone
I saw the doctor this week (6wks post surg.) and was told that the screw and bone graft are healing very well. I was taken out of my walking boot and told i could start wearing shoes. I immediately went and had my gait assessed and then was fit for new running shoes that will offer me support and help correct the over-pronation that is occurring during my heal-strike.
The shoes feel great and i have no pain to report after about 5 days of walking around and i have gone on a long bike ride all but one of the days. My Doc told me that i should slowly ease myself back into lower impact activities just no basketball/volleyball or anything along those lines. I am planning on taking batting/fielding practice with my baseball team this week and could not be more excited.
I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of this situation. March 6 (the day of the break) seems so long ago…This has been such a frustrating experience, It was hard to stay positive but, being negative solves nothing.
Tips I could offer to those who have recently suffered a Jones fx. would include opting for surgery in the case of someone who lives an active lifestyle – the blood supply to this injury is so spotty that playing the waiting game via the conservative approach may keep you out of athletics for way longer than you could imagine.
Also Nutritional changes during bone healing, No Soda (due to phosphoric acid), caffeine, smoking or alcohol to name a few because those things inhibit calcium absorption which is needed more than normal during bone repair. I stopped all of these things (well i never smoked anyway) as well as no red meats and getting accupuncture treatment on the area around the foot during my post surgery recovery and I am now walking well and pain free at 6wks post surgery.
I know I not everyone is the same, so I wish all of you the absolute best of luck with this frustrating ordeal. I will continue to check back and update you guys with any more developments such as my future return to the basketball court (fingers crossed).
Good Luck again, take care!
Brian
July 8, 2008 at 9:39 am
Wow, I just found this site today & have spent ALOT of time on it reading everyones stories. It really helps reading about others who are going through the same thing. I don’t have a Jones fracture though. It’s a spiral fracture on my fifth that goes from the top around & down to the bottom. They weren’t very optimistic that it could heal on it’s own since it’s slightly displaced, but decided to try. After 7 weeks in a boot & non-weightbearing….absolutely no healing. So I’m going to hear tomorrow about surgery & a plate. They arent sure about a bone graft, but it sounds like it’s necessary from listening to everyone on this board.
Did I mention that I don’t currently have health insurance? The only time in my life & of course this happens!! I stepped off a chair just right from putting up a birthday sign for my seven year old & “Crack”!
I will check back soon to see how everyone is doing on their recoveries. Maybe now I won’t be as depressed knowing that there are so many going through the same frustration.
July 8, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I got my Jones fracture Mid March… It was due to stress (exercising to much). I’m 21 years old, fairly heavy but athletic. The incident occurred when I was walking down the stairs and my ankle rolled in (the exercising just weakened it). Anyway, I saw an ortho doc the week of and he put in in a walking cast (non-weight bearing for 6 weeks). I kept going back and it showed no new bone growth. He recommended surgery and I didn’t like the idea so I got a 2nd opinion. The other Dr. agreed and I got surgery about 5 weeks ago. I saw him yesterday (after being non-weight bearing for that long), and he said it’s healing slowly but I can walk w/o the crutches.. I’m currently using 1 crutch b/c of the pain from using my atrophied leg/foot. I agree to all of you that this is a prolonged/depressing/frustrating ordeal. My Dr, also suggested for me to get a bone stimulator which I am picking up on fri. I just hope I can trust him when he tells me I can play sports in the fall…
July 9, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Just back from my doctor today and after 4 weeks in a cast, there was NO bone growth and it appeared that my fracture was slightly wider. Not good. I was recasted, given a bone stimulator and go back in 2 weeks to check in. Has anyone had good, bad, indifferent results with bone stimulators?
July 11, 2008 at 5:00 pm
My surgery is scheduled for July 22nd for the plate and a bone graft. REally nervous, but I’ll be glad to make a positive step forward in my healing.
How expensive are bone stimulators to rent & are they really effective?
July 11, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Hi everyone! I broke my foot on May 10, 2008 and it is a Jones fracture. I originally had a back slab on for 10 days with total NWB and crutches. Three days after breaking my foot (just by twisting my foot on some uneven ground), I was experiencing a lot of pain at the back of my calf. Working as a nurse and knowing that this is a classic sign of a DVT, I went to the hospital and sure enough discovered after an ultrasound that I had a blood clot in my lower leg. The foot itself never caused a lot of pain, but the blood clot made it feel like my leg from the knee down was on fire whenever I had my leg dependent. Thankfully this is no longer the case, and I wouldn’t even know I have a clot in my leg, except for the fact that I’m taking blood thinners and have to get my blood tested frequently. After the initial 10 days of the cast, I got a walking boot, but wasn’t allowed to put any weight on my foot yet. Returned to the doctor 2 weeks later and was told that I could start partial weight bearing with the boot and crutches as I felt able to, and to return in a month. I saw the doctor on July 2 and it has finally started to heal! I was told to gradually get rid of the crutches, and am now able to walk with the boot crutch free which is so nice.
I have a little boy who just turned 11 months old today. I have never broken any bones before and this whole experience has been one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever had to go through. When I broke my foot he wasn’t even crawling yet, and now he is crawling and walking along furniture, and is trying to walk on his own. I am so thankful to my in-laws for all of their support during this. We don’t know what we would have done without them. We rented a wheelchair for in the house, so then I can at least carry my son on my lap as I wheel around. He’s a big boy, and I’m not allowed to carry him yet. I’m supposed to return to work from maternity leave in the middle of August, but I may not be able to depending on my foot. I work 12 hour shifts on my feet all day with lots of lifting and physical exertion, so time will tell. Reading everyone’s stories is nice, because people who haven’t experienced something like this just don’t understand what it’s like.
July 12, 2008 at 7:58 pm
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July 16, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Hey all! I sustained a Jones fx on January 24. I think too much exercise and was initially a stress fx that I just ignored. No pain, no gain, right? Anyway, was put in NWB cast for 7 weeks, and then had screw fixation with bone graft on Marh 12. Was put in boot after surgery and then allowed to walk after 8 weeks. Three orthopod visits later (each visit one month apart) and I am back in the Boot because the outer part of the bone refuses to heal. When on earth am I going to be able to exercise again? I miss my golf, my tennis, running. Anyone else have similar experience? Am I just being whiny? Or, should I just accept the fact that this is “the nature of the injury and keep on track with the doctor’s orders?” Thanks for your input!
July 20, 2008 at 9:18 pm
My fracture occured June 13 (Friday!) and it was dx as a Jones. After reading many of the research articles on the internet, it appears that physicians differ in their criteria. At any rate, mine is not an avulsion and certainly appears to be in the “zone” to be classifeid as a Jones. I am lucky, that I work with some top orthopedic surgeons and decided to go with the intermedullary screw, 6 days post fx.
I have been in a nearly knee high aircast walking boot, totally non-weight bearing since my sx on June 19th. Started a bone stimulator on July 3 and last week ( 4 wks post op) we saw the beginnings of bone healing on x-ray. At 6 weeks if all looks good, I am to start partial weight bearing, then, hopefully full weight bearing at 7 weeks post op. I haven’t asked but get the feeling I will be wearing this boot for a while, before getting into any sort of normal shoe. I am thinking of getting the shorter boot, if that is that case. Has anyone used the shorter aircast walking boot?
After reading all the horrific stories of timely healing and slow progress, I am keeping my fingers crossed that having the early fixation will speed my healing and recovery. I’ve been careful about nutrition: calcium, magnesium, lysine, vit.K etc, in my diet and supplements. I have cut back on caffiene but must admit,I have not given it up altogether (nor my glasses of wine on the weekends)so we’ll see. I am curious about those who have tried accupunture and am going to look into starting some sessions.
To all of you who are just just starting out, I wish I I could tell you: GO FOR THE SX. But I really won’t know until I start weight bearing, how this is going to turn out. I ‘ll keep you posted.
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
July 22, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Here’s some encouragement for those of you who are NOT having surgery and feel like the healing will never happen. I broke my 5th on June 13, Jones. After the first 4 weeks, no bone growth. I was recast and sent on my way for another 2 week – all this time, NWB. I was also given a bone stimulator to use 10 hours a day. Just got back from the doctor where I was sure the news was going to be surgery as my only way to heal. To my absolute surprise, my cast came off and can now gradually add weight so that within 10 days I am back on two feet fully. I literally had no bone regeneration UNTIL I started using the bone stimulator. It made a significant difference in my healing. I also took some of your suggestions to add calcium daily – a good tip and it sure can’t hurt!
If you have the choice and can get a bone stimulator early AND use it as much as they suggest, I believe that it helps. I know how horribly hard this break is. It’s discouraging, it’s furstrating and it seems to never end or heal. I hope that everyone takes good care and finds some light at the end of the tunnel.
July 23, 2008 at 12:09 am
whats up guys….
I have to tell you guys that I did the conservative way for 6 weeks and ended up having to get surgery in the end
MY advice….get the surgery from the start….its a whole lot easier and less stressful
I cant walk but i’m not in a cast and the procedure was simple and easy
Good luck to those with a jones fracture…it is very frustating but you will get thru it
July 26, 2008 at 12:46 pm
On July 2nd, my 17-year old son landed on his foot wrong dancing (ironic, uh)? Went to the emergency room on Sunday 5th, Orthopedic on Monday, Orthopedic surgeon on Monday (one who is part of the Steelers’ team doctors), and on Friday he had surgery (July 10th). Because he is an up- and coming- athlete (6′5″, 285 lbs.), they opted to do the surgery right away. He was off his foot totally for 3 days (no movement at all, and had it elevated). For the next 3 days, he used to the crutches to get around limited. After a week, he was allowed to move about on crutches with NO pressure to the foot. It has been 2 weeks since surgery, and the stitches our out. It looks good. Does anyone have experience with therapy? Healing time? Football season begins in 4 weeks. He has a great chance of being scouted to a good school. Anyone’s thoughts on his recovery? I am concerned of his foot healing correctly before playing again. But, after 5 years of hard work, I would like to see his dream come true, too. Anyone?
August 3, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I am 10 weeks post surgery. My doc said the bone “looks like a freakin rock” I am walking normal with no complications and am only 6 weeks away from being clear for all activities including basketball. I am riding my bike and doing elliptical to get back in shape and am able to play baseball/softball with the only restriction that I jog around the bases. I am so happy with the results of my surgery, the only regret I have is not getting it right away.
August 6, 2008 at 11:29 am
Now 3 months out of surgery! I still have minor pain everyday but it is decreasing and walking is awesome! Good luck to all, you’ll make it through.
August 13, 2008 at 9:55 am
I tripped and fractured ( jones) my right foot on July 3rd. I have been in a hard cast, just below my knee since. The xrays are showing good signs of healing however my Doctor will not consider weight bearing until the completion of the 8th week. I am told to expect a non weight bearing boot for a week to 10 days and then a partial weight bearing device for another 10 days. I have a very conserative Doctor who is very hung up on following the rule book with no exception or deviation. If all goes well I will probably be out of work 12 weeks.
August 14, 2008 at 4:33 am
After six weeks in hard cast without signs of healing my Doctor suggested surgery with bone graft.
I would like to ask those who had the experience of surgery: is this a routine operation? any ortopedic surgeon will be OK or one has to look for specialists in Jones fracture. From your comments I got the idea that this is a routine procedure. Am I right?
August 14, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Mike…
I can tell you that my orthopedic surgeon was a foot specialist, but other than that, I’m not sure that you would need a Jones fracture specialist.
I sustained a Jones fracture on May 24 and had my surgery on July 2nd after 5 weeks in a hard cast without healing (in fact it was worse after the 5 weeks). The whole procedure was quick, I had pain after…but nothing more than expected. I was in another cast non-weight bearing for 6 weeks following the surgery, have a tiny scar and have finally been released to go back to work on August 18.
I would have to echo the sentiments of most others here – if I had it to do over again I would have opted for surgery immediately and by-passed the first 5 weeks that did nothing more than waste time.
Hope that helps somewhat. Good luck…I know it seems like the agony will never end, but it does!
August 18, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Hi everybody…after 5 months of conservative treatment my foot is finally 100 percent healed with the new bone fully developed. I just wanna let people know that with the right doctor and the right diet, conservative treatment does work for the most part. I am also an athlete playing basketball for a team, and i did just as the doc told me and now i feel as if my foot has never been better
August 19, 2008 at 10:26 pm
So, just thought I’d give an update on my progression. I am nearly 9 weeks post op. I had my sx 6 days after injury. I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks then started partial weight bearing and progressed to full. Had another xray today. It is healing nicely and the doc said, I can do anything I want. It still gets sore, especially by the end of the day, if I have been on it a lot. Did an hour bike ride the other day. Biking hardly hurts, walking still a challenge. I am returning my rental scooter. For those of you who are interested. check out roll-a-bout.com. It was a lifesaver at work for those 6 weeks.
As far as the rehab: check with your doc. I did come out of my boot and did some ankle range of motion, scar massage during those 6 weeks. Now I am working on a variety of exercises for strengthening and balance, even though I am weight bearing, I want to be prepared for hiking before I get into it.
Oh and I am still going to use the bone stimulator. I definately think it made a difference. Don’t forget icing. Although I must admit that as soon as I began weight bearing, my skin color and swelling improved, I am still trying to ice after exercise/therapy or at the end of my work day. I expect that it will get sore for a while, but I am so glad that I went for the sx, right away. also, I am back in many of my shoes. I find that firm bottoms, like dansko clogs feel better than tennis/runnign shoes for any length of time.
Hope that helps. I will let you know if I come up against any snags in my progress. Good luck everyone
August 24, 2008 at 12:05 am
I just found this site and am so glad. I’ve read all the stories and everyone is so different, yet similar.
My displaced Jones Fracture occured on June 26th. I went to the ER, was told to not weight bear, and make an appt with the Ortho asap. The Ortho diagnosed me and planned surgery for July 2nd. The screw was inserted and I was put in a very thick, up to the knee fiberglass cast that was just removed last week. So now, after 7 weeks, I’m in a camo boot, still not allowed to weight bear, and feeling anxious about being cooped up so long. I go back in 4 weeks for another xray, and I’m hoping I can partially weight bear by then. I’ve never injured anything before, so this experience has really been an eye opener. Lucky for me, I work at home, so my kids and hubby have been helpful and I’ve been able to elevate my foot as much as possible and recover. The only thing I can’t do is wear the camo boot to bed because it drives me crazy. Instead, I wrap an ace bandage around it and rest it on a pillow.
August 25, 2008 at 2:54 pm
HI everyone.
Two weeks ago I fell walking home late at night, I believe I simply tripped over my Rainbow sandal. You can believe I threw those away, especially with all of the pain they have caused. I couldn’t put any weight on my right foot but initially I thought I was okay… maybe that was the wine talked. So my boyfriend gave me a piggy back ride home. All the while I was in shock and found this to be incredibly hilarious. He on the other hand did not. haha. The following morning I realized that I was seriously injured and caught a cab to the ER. After an exam and an x-ray the doctor told me that he did not believe my fracture to be the kind to need surgery. I was relived especially because I was flying out of down the following day to go camping for a week. They fit me with a giant black ‘moon boot’ and crutches. I got special treatment at the airport and was given a wheel chair to bypass all other passengers. that was nice :o) . After a extremely difficult week of camping and completely over exerting myself I got home and had an appointment with the podiatrist right away. I kept trying to be optimistic and that he would just tell me everything was fine. I had spent a half hour before the appointment cleaning and rubbing dirt and sand off of the boot- to attempt to make it look like I had not been ‘gallivanting’ in the woods for 6 days.
One they performed their own x-rays and an exam he concluded that I indeed would need a pin to create a reunion of the bone. I have also been experiencing pain in my ankle, so instead of having surgery the following day- they sent me to get an MRI to determine if I have torn any ligaments that need to be mended as well while they are in there. I had an hour long MRI that wasn’t bad at all besides the really LOUD beeps the machine made. I now have a CD-ROM thing with all of the info but I cannot review it until next Wednesday with my podiatrist when he returns from vacation. Of course I get injured when all of the doctors are on vaca! Anyway. I was really hoping to not have surgery, but after doing a little research and reading everyone else’s comments I am thankful that my doctor is opting to do surgery right away. Living in Seattle I don’t have a car and count on my feet as transportation. I am also about to start my senior year at university and am optimistic I will only be in a boot by then. My doctor told me about 4 weeks in the boot post surgery… but from what I have read my healing is going to take a lot longer then I had originally thought. As much as I hate the idea of something being permanently DRILLED inside of me, I am starting to grasp that it is for the best. and that my overall healing will be better in the long run. I recently had started practicing Bikram yoga and am sad that I had to stop going. They said they would hold my subscription for when I am healed, so that is nice. I am just worried about getting active again, and if the screw is going to effect me. Well I guess I will give an update once I am hopped up on pain killers and sitting around. Was everybody’s surgeries out patient? Im worried about my boyfriend having to take care of me initially. Was it just awful?
August 27, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Hi everyone. I was glad to find this site. Its been reassuring to know others understand the frustrations that go along with being “cooped up” for so long….
My story is….I was running to jump into my pool on June 8th. When I pushed off my foot (which was slightly turned sideways on the pool coping), I felt a snap, and instant pain as I hit the water. I went to the local UCC and was found tp have a broken right 5th metatarsal. (Since then, I found out it was a Jones Fx., but no one told me this at the time). I was given some ortho shoe with velcro, and was told to use crutches with NWB until I went to see Ortho for my consult. 2-1/2 weeks later I went to Ortho. The doc there re took my xray and told me the bone was properly aligned and since I seemed to be able to walk on it, he said I could weight bear as long as I was wearing a supportive tennis shoe, even though he stated that he almost always casts a break like mine…(he was an old doc) I was glad to hear this, but still had quite a bit of pain. I figured since the doc wasn’t concerned about it maybe I shouldn’t be either…A couple of weeks later, I called to make another appt. in Ortho because I was in a lot of pain. I was seen the following day. Another xray was done. The dos didn’t say too much except they gave me 3 weeks off from work ( I am a nurse and work in a busy pediatrics unit), and they gave me a boot splint to wear. I was told I could partially weight bear. At that time, I was give another f/u appt. for 3 weeks. (Now, at this time, No one still had mentioned “Jones fracture”)….O.K., so 3 weeks go by. I get to my appt. Have yet another xray done, and the doctor says to me…Gee, its been about 8-9 weeks, and there is no signs of this Jones fracture healing at all. He said this wasn’t good obviously. He then set me up for an appt. with the Ortho surgeon to have him consult. That appt.I have that appt coming up in 2 days from today…To say the least, I’m pretty frustrated. As A nurse I also know that someone screwed up and there is no way that I should have been weight-bearing at all with this type of fracture. I am almost at the 12 week mark now and I have a lot of pain on the outside of my right foot. I’m pretty sure this surgeon is going to want to place a screw in my foot because its been so ,any weeks and still no union of the bone . It really ticks me off that people get jerked around like this. I could have been totally healed by now…Instead, I am just starting out after almost 3 months after breaking it!!!
To all of you out there with similar stories…I share your pain and frustration!!!
September 6, 2008 at 7:34 am
i tripped on a stone on august 30th . waited 2 days and went to the doc . was diagnosed with a jones fracture,i had just come off a foot injury 2 weeks prior to that, a torn fascia. the right side of my foot has not felt right since my fascia injury. i wonder if it became weakened and thus more susceptible to this injury. good luck to all of you jones people. i am an active person and this is a nightmare for me.
September 6, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I sustained jones fx July 1…just walking down into the cabin of a boat and rolled y foot…the guy driving the boat cod hear the sound of the break..it was painfull. I went about 1 week non weight bearing, then the next 5 weeks walking in a black boot that came up to my knee. NO healing at week 6 and opted for the surgery about 2 weeks ago. My first follow up to surgery show no healing yet buck the screw definitely closed the gap in the break. I am now on 4 more weeks of non weight bearing and then will go back for x ray…I am praying that there is some healing when I return for my xray in 4 weeks. i am taking off my aircast at night just so it is more comfortable to sleep…I wonder if that is impacting any healing? this injury is very depressing.
September 7, 2008 at 10:33 am
just read a few other posts…natalie…the surgery was not bad at all…first 2 days are bad but really not after that. The worst part about this process is sitting around doing nothing, literally nothing. Rest, time, and non-weight bearing seems to be the most effective post surgery healing solution. my kids are 2,5,6 , my wife basically does everything while I sit around…it is very frustrating.
September 8, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I was on holiday and roolled my ankle hard off the curb and completely wiped out… I was partially anesthised from too many beers and managed to ride my bike back home. Woke up the next day with a huge ankle and almost fainted when I stepped on the floor. Having suffered several bad sprains I did the usual rest, ice, elevation, etc… and the ankle got better day by day… walked around on it for 2 whole weeks with pain but still thought it was a sprain. Even went surfing, played drums, drove for 10 hours and went to an outdoor festival. Finally went to the doc cause it wasn’t getting better and there was a fracture of the 5th metetarsal… Strange thing is it didn’t hurt so bad that I couldn’t walk… Anyways in a cast for 4 weeks now… 2 down, 2 to go… Anyone else here walk around on a broken foot for days/weeks before going in? Also, any idea if this will seriously delay healing?
September 9, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I was MOH in in friend’s wedding and the NEXT day, on my way to the post-wedding brunch, rolled my ankle on a garden hose. Thank goodness it wasn’t the day before!
I thought it was a sprain or strain, so elevated and iced and it seemed to get better. Five days later, saw a GP at the student health office who had x-rays done just to be safe. Turns out to be an acute Jones fracture and a couple of hairlines too. The GP sent me to a sports doctor, who referred an Ortho and gave me a walking boot. Am seeing the Ortho in the morning.
Been non weight-bearing for more than two weeks now…But what freaks me out it that it DOESN’T HURT. I suppose I should be counting my lucky stars, but this doesn’t seem right. It feels weird sometimes, but has none of the pain I had when I broke my arm in high school. The doctors are not concerned and say I’m just lucky. The sports doctor said I’m tough…which I’m NOT. I have feeling in my foot and can wiggle my toes, but not as much as usual. Is this lack of sharp pain something I should be worried about, or am I just nit-picking?
September 10, 2008 at 11:31 am
almost same situation with me… although it hurt to walk the first 2 weeks before I got the cast, the foot itself didn’t hurt and I could move my ankle around and wiggle toes no problem… 3 weeks later in the cast and no pain at all except for the occasional calf cramp from the cast… I’m hoping this is a good since… cast comes off in 10 days if all goes well… Then again al I had was a small fracture with no displacement
September 11, 2008 at 11:33 am
I was in a similar situation to the last 2 posts where after wearing the boot a while (after a few weeks of no weight) my foot didnt really hurt so my doc put me in shoes and said to give it a shot. I made it 3 days before it all swelled up and i had ankle and knee pain because i was compensating for my foot. I went in for surgery at the end of May had a very quick and successful recovery. I was playing baseball and softball by the end of july and have been cleared for running and basketball this week. I am very excited to see how the foot responds although I am definitely easing my way back into these things. Some tips I could give is to focus on your nutrition and rehab exercises – really work at them and it will pay off. I also had acupuncture done which I think really helped the healing. And finally when you are back in shoes talk to your doc about a good pair of gym/running shoes for you to wear around until you are comfortable enough to wear other footwear. My doc suggested brooks and I went to a running specialty store which used a pedograph to analyze my gait and fit me with the proper model of shoe. I only wish i could find a pair of basketball shoes or cleats that I have as much confidence in. Good luck to all of you stay positive, focus on getting better and you will be before you know it.
September 11, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I broke my 5th on July 2nd when I rolled my ankle. Non-weight bearing cast for five weeks (used a walking scooter); Second X-ray showed little change. Walking cast for another five weeks. Third X-ray today showed it is no better (if not worse) than on July 2nd. I have surgery scheduled for October 3rd. I wish I would have just had the surgery in July rather than wait three months. Tired of the boot. At least it’s my left foot. Something to be grateful for.
September 11, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I sustained my jones fracture to my right foor 5 Jan this year playing mini golf lol!!I immediately saw my local GP who put me into a cam walker for 6 weeks, my 1st and 2nd x-ray showed no healing. I was then referred to an ortho surgeon who put me into a fibreglass cast for 3 weeks to see if it would heal. My 3rd xray showed some healing and I was told I might have been lucky to avoid surgery scheduling another set of xrays in 6 weeks. Well after six weeks even without the xray I suspected it had not healed as I still had pain whenever I walked short distances.
I had my surgery two weeks ago and am hoping it will heal this time. I am determined to stay off my foot until its healed and even though I am totally bored doing this I can’t imagine this going on much longer. This injury has been extremely frustrating and at times depressing so its been good to read other’s stories.
September 11, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I am a RN an Indiana Jones and acquired a Jones fracture from a fall on a boat deck 04/01/08. A hairline fracture diagnosed in a small island hosp USVI.4/8/08 I saw Ortho-surgery specialist in Indianapolis. I left, casted with more than a hair-line fracture. I am 53 years old and not in the highest bone-growth period of my life. I am like all of these other 119 replies totally frustrated with the fracture and the treatment I received. Three xrays later [12] weeks my fracture is a stage 3. Surgery is finally planned. July 10th was surgery and a titanium plate and 4 screws and bone-grafting were done. I had worked as a RN doing bedside care until July 5th. My 94 year-old father, had an appointment with his orthopedic surgeon, who had replaced Dad’s rt. hip a few years earlier, He asked me why I was casted and I told him my story. This physician stated that he always does open reduction internal fixations on acute Jones fractures using a pin or screw and his patients require 3-5 weeks and are walking. He said he never waits a few weeks for these to heal because the circulation to this site is too poor for a good healing, without long-term non-weight bearing, if healing even occurs then. He always treats these when they are acute fractures. I told my physician that I wished I had gone ahead and had the surgery in April.He stated hind-site is always 20/20. I thought I had gone to an Orthopedic Specialist for his expertise and years of experience healing orthopedic fractures. I guess I had some expectation that he might have a little fore-site on the way to healing this situation. I guess I felt it was his duty, given my stature and age, to make me see the wisdom in his advise, and it should have been said clearly and succinctly you need surgery this week or next week at the latest. I have gone through all my acquired sick-time and 7 or more weeks of 60% pay,I have had a jobless person help me with home-care for 300 bucks a week and have eaten into 2 CD’s to pay for my slip on the deck. I get to go back to work this Monday on transitional duty in a motorized wheel-chair. It will be Sept 15th. I have lost time money and nearly a 31 year career in nursing because of my lack of foresite. My advise is to get ortho-surgeon who has read all of the latest journals and studies and isn’t afraid to be a little arrogant about what is right and what would be a mistake. This would probably be an Ortho-surgeon from a Medical school who heads and directs a dept. and publishes his or her own research. It certainly will never be another Ortho-surgeon who operates out of his own hospital.A hospital that may not have a lot of pressure for recorded results or as much monitoring of its physicians as it should have. Pain after the ankle-block wore off was excruciating. Post-op they worked very hard to get control of my pain to get my blood-pressure down off the ceiling. After 2-3 Dilaudid pushes and 2-3 improved Blood-pressures they pulled my IV and sent me home. My ankle-block was still in effect when I went home. I only had percocet and ibuprofen to tame pain that was off my personal scale of 1-10. I felt angry frustrated and bewildered as to why I did not have a dilaudid PCA button to push in response to my pain. I wondered if I might be about to stroke, from a high blood-pressure that resulted from pain that had me writhing and crying. I would have prefered surgery in April with placement of 1 pin or 1 screw. Tired of casts boots crutches wheel-chairs and my little bed-room in the downstairs of my house. The sad thing is I am probably one of the more fortunate Indiana Jones’.
September 19, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Hi all. I twisted my foot on an uneven sidewalk walking to my car while digging in my purse for my car keys. So now I’m in week 5 of a scheduled 8 wearing this awful cast which I have come to hate with a passion. I’ve been told no weight is to be put on this foot for 8 weeks. Then I go to get the 2nd set of x-rays and the cast removed. I had expected that by that point I’d be on the final stage of recovery but now after reading all these posts am very afraid that I’m in for a long process. I was hoping to be “normal” for my son’s wedding two weeks after this cast comes off. But now I am totally confused as to what I should or should not be doing. I find it more comfortable to keep my leg out on the footstool as the cast is looser then. When I put it down, my leg seems to swell up and the cast gets tight so I have no idea which is supposed to be better for healing. I am also afraid that after 8 weeks of trying to keep sane at home that I will be told it hasn’t healed and being put right back to square one with 8 weeks of my life wasted. My doctor (an orthopedic surgeon) said that surgery would normally be for athletes so I went along with his preference for conservative treatment. At the time I never even heard of a Jones fracture or that it might be so cursedly hard to heal. I wonder if I should get a second opinion or ask for an interim x-ray. I am so confused. I AM glad that I read to cut out sodas and caffeine. I totally didn’t think of that so all those Diet Cokes and Hershey’s Kisses are going to be history after today. So now it will be milk and I’ll get some calcium tablets.
September 23, 2008 at 1:14 am
Hi Linda, you never know you might be one of the lucky ones, I know somebody who had the same fracture and she just had to wear a boot for 12 weeks. I would, however, ask for interim x-rays before the eight week mark. I know what you mean by wearing the cast, I absolutely hate it, I am very tempted to get it removed and just wear the boot. When my foot gets swollen I get a cold pak and place it on the cast, it does cool the foot down. When I first broke my foot I ended up with a DVT so now I am paranoid about getting another so every twitch I get a bit jumpy. Keep you chin up, you only have 3 weeks to go, I only have 2.2 weeks to go.
September 24, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Hopped onto a curb 8/29/08 while delivering a pizza (I move fast when I work). Immediate pain in my left foot. I yelled out several profanities but still had another order to deliver. My car is a stick so I had to do the clutch thing very carefully.
Taking the order to the door I did the Igor thing, dragging my left foot, all hunched over.
When I got back to the store and took my boot off it looked like someone had cut an orange in half and stuck it under my skin.
Anyway, ER, xray, fractured 5th. NWB. Saw ortho 5 days later, confirmed jones.
Now I’m 3 weeks into the crutch thing, dealing with workers comp (only 2 days ago did my employer send the insurance company the paperwork), and starting to go a bit mad.
My outlook has been pretty positive, but the thought I could be on crutches for many more months is enough to send my wife out for more whiskey.
I’ve been good about not putting weight on the gimp foot, but when I move my foot a certain way, the pain is exactly the same as the day after I had the cast put on.
I see the doc in less than a week and if no healing has occurred I’m pushing for surgery.
The foot part, the pain, it’s not bad. It’s the %#@% crutches, opening doors, not being able to carry stuff. I’m planning to sew some saddlebags for my crutches so at least I can carry stuff around the house.
Before this happened, I walked everywhere, to work, to play music, to the grocery store, etc. Now it’s drive drive drive. Walking kept me happy, fit, and balanced. Now, well, the crutches are good exercise but it’s not the same and I’m starting to feel a little down.
I have two jobs but can only do one, and the one I can do is on the second floor of a building without an elevator. Every morning I’ve gotta hump my laptop up 18 stairs and every other day I ‘almost’ lose my balance.
Sorry for the rambling post; don’t really have a point I just wanted to share a bit of my experience.
Good luck to you all.
September 25, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Seth, I admire you have conquered the stairs and gone to work. I have been home because I have 12 steps to get into work and I’m up another flight after that. No elevator or ramps. Biggest headache for me is the cast and crutches and not being to carry much. At least I have a tank top with a built in bra and I stick everything in there! I look like a deformed kangaroo most times. Just try to take it one day at a time, that’s all I can suggest and what keeps me sane. Hang in there!
October 1, 2008 at 1:44 pm
OK, I’m out of the cast and doing physio… Foot still hurts but slowly getting better day by day… As for the physio all he makes me do is stand on one foot for half and hour to regain balance. Exact same thing every session (had 5 so far) while he reads a magazine! Is this normal? Anyone else have experience with physio and the stuff they make you do? Just to compare…
October 5, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hallo guys!
I was diagnosed with a fifth metatarsal fracture in the base part of the bone. I don’t know if it is a Jones fracture but I watched the rx and can say that it is more or less between “B” and “T” type as described in the article above. Another thing is that the crack extends to the jiunction with the bone called cuboid. I enjuried on 10th september and on 15 the emergency opted for the cast. Now, from the ospital (another one) they say that it should be better to go for surgery. But they complain that too much time has been spent and it is not sure that the operation can be done (?). On next Tuesday I have to meet the surgeon for decision.
Anyone with a similar fracture? And similar experience?
Thanks and have a nice time.
October 11, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Hello all…I am so glad that I found this site! I broke my 5th in my right foot 7 weeks ago. The ER dr. made the mistake of telling my husband that it was a clean break and I would be up and running around in no time…and in the mean time I could drive (just use the left foot). When I went to the orthopedic surgeon with my mother-in-law a few days later, the Dr. diagnosed my break as a Jones fracture and scheduled me for surgery the next week. He laughed at the idea I would think of driving…oh and pulled me off all weight barring activities until further notice. Since surgery I have had my mother-in-law, my mother, and a close friend come and stay with us (since I have 2 school age children as well). I have injected blood clotting shots into my stomach, had my cast changed 3 times (the 1st one did not set, the 2nd was fiberglass, the 3rd it was time to xray and I begged to go backed to the pre-op air cast so I could shower).
Tomorrow I go in (first appointment my husband has attended since my ER visit) to find out if I can be in a walking boot yet.
I was beginning to feel very alone and depressed with this. Like someone said in an earlier post…it is not life threatening, but I can’t do anything by myself. It has def. taken it’s toll on everyone else’s patience too. Somehow my husband can only remember what the NP said in the ER and can’t understand why I am not independent yet. He actually got irritated because he came home and the only thing I could tell him was how I was on the PC all day :( I am just not sure what else I am supposed to be doing…
I hope tomorrow I have good news that will lift my spirits. All of your stories were very nice to hear too…both the highs and lows! Good luck to everyone in their recovery process!!!
October 12, 2008 at 9:11 am
Hi guys, i fractured the fifth metatarsal on the 13th of September while playing soccer! It was barely 5 minutes into the match and i was out! I was taken to the ER and took an xray, it showed only a small crack and the doctor said i would be up and running in 2 weeks time! After a week, i decided to go visit the orthopaedic and he delivered the bad news! He told me that surgery would be the best option as i’m an active person but i do not like the idea of having a screw inserted in my foot so i decided to go with the conservative treatment. He did not put my foot in a cast but on the following week i went for another xray and i requested for a fibreglass cast just for safety reasons! I was in the cast for 2 weeks till today!I really feel useless and frustrated man!I have never had an injury for so long! Tomorrow i’m going back for another xray! I really hope i will get good results and back to walking soon! I’ll never take walking for granted again!
October 12, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Hi all,
please report on your post-surgical experience. I had the operation on Friday, now I’ve done injections of unasyn (antibiotic) 1,5 two times per day and clexane. Still terrible pain if I move the leg from horizontal position…probably it is the cast they put after surgery that press on my foot in the wound? It is normal in your opinion?
Let me know your feedback.
October 13, 2008 at 3:48 am
Had an xray today and this time it is worse! My god, the fracture line is actually longer. I decided immediately that i want to have the surgery. Tomorrow evening i’m going to insert the screw! Wish me luck! Really scared! Gd luck to every1 else that got this stupid injury, have a speedy recovery! Will b back to update on the surgery.
October 14, 2008 at 12:29 am
Angelo, I had pain for about 3 days after surgery and I managed it with anti inflamatory and panadol so it was not that bad. I did not have antibiotics and had no problem, though I did have clexane for 10 days but only because of previous DVT. I found wearing the cast for six weeks, 2 back slab and 4 with fibre glass terrible as it kept anoying the wound and felt terribly claustrophobic. Happy to say that my post surgery xr shows signs of bone regrowth, though not complete union yet, dr says to wear a boot for next two weeks and then back into runners or hiking boots. I started physio yesterday as my ankle and calf very wasted, asked when I could go back to gym and they said around 4 weeks but will do some hydrotherapy on the weekend.
Gary – best that you get the surgery done now and not waste any more time, good luck, you are on the road to recovery.
October 14, 2008 at 5:00 am
Hi Meg, thank you for telling me about your experience. Have a nice and quick recovery!
October 15, 2008 at 12:38 am
Thx Meg. I just had surgery yesterday, its now swollen and it does hurt but the pain is bearable. My foot is not in a cast like u guys, a big waterproof plaster is just paste over the surgical wound and i can see quite alot of bleeding,this is worrying me quite abit. Anyway, I can’t wait for it to recover!
October 15, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Hi Gary, don’t worry about the bleeding I had quite a bit but could not see because of the cast, could feel it when it dried though as it kept pulling on my stiches. ring your surgeon if you are really concerned.
October 15, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Happy ending for me. After 8 weeks in NWB cast, it came off tonight and x-rays show it has healed {no surgery}. So now I have to work on getting the strength back in my foot and ankle. Doctor said a few more days of using the crutches until I get strength back will be all it takes. So hopefully I won’t have any further problems. I’m sooooo happy. I hope there are no unforeseen problems with it….but I’m keeping positive.
October 17, 2008 at 12:46 am
Hello all.
I fractured my foot on Oct 2nd, went to ER and was told I had fractured my foot and referred me to an Orthopedic doctor which I seen the following day. After Dr. reviewed my x-rays, I was told I had fractured the bone below my baby toe. (my left foot). The doctor seemed a bit iffy when he turned to me and suggested surgery. So I asked what were my chances not having the surgery and he said 50-50 chance. So I opt for the 50% chance not to have surgery. Now I’m in a hard cast with instructions no weight bearing. I have been sucessful, with exceptopn of mistakely balancing my self on my toes on the bad foot to
prevent me from falling. Did anyone have this experience? Did you do any more damage? I have to keep me foot elevated because of the swellin I still experience. Is this normal?
October 20, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Hey Fred,
Read your story about PT. My PT guy has from day one a lot of different Range of Motion (ROM) exercises. Started on the stationary bike, then a balance board, band exercises, steps and lunges. I am know in week 4 of PT with 2 more to go. ROM and flexibility is almost the same as left foot. I broke my 5th on 2/18/08. Wore a walking cast until 7/30/08 when I had a plate put in. Seven weeks non-weight bearing. Got the final cast off 7 months to the day 9/18/08. Cam walker for 1 month. As of 10/17/08 I am in my shoe full time with no restrictions.
I would request a different physical therapist. He sounds like he’s not doing his job. I would file a complaint. Balance is good, but you need the ROM to improve.
Just my two cents.
Hope all goes well.
October 22, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for answering my post… You have confirmed what I was feeling all along… Finished my 9 sessions with him and it was the same each time. Stand on a foam matt with eyes closed on one foot. Luckily I have been doing my own ROM exercises and other things… All in all I’m doing well… Even jogging up to 3K and playing drums again. Think I will file a complaint though… Good thing health care is free in Belgium… Would have been really pissed to pay for that… I can’t stand like a bird for free :)
Rgds,
Fred
October 22, 2008 at 9:56 pm
hello jones fellows…there is a lot of strenth in these stories, it’s heartening.
I received my fracture by an embarrassing misstep in my own livingroom on July 29, rolling my ankle and coming down hard on the side of my foot. Fracture is at the base of the 5th MT, clean break, no displacement. The orthopedic doc did not do immobilization at all, no cast, only a slipper with velcro straps and a hard plastic sole, to limit flexing. So, NWB but no cast. On crutches for 6 weeks. Pain was not bad at all, so after 6 weeks was told I could walk in “good shoes” – hiking boots, Merrills.
At follow-up 4 weeks later, things had gotten worse by the xrays, the gap had opened slightly. The doc was urging surgery, and I went along until the day before the operation, then backed out – just didn’t feel right about going through with it. Pressed him for alternatives – oh, do surgeons hate that! We are now trying to get the sonogram bone stimulator approved by insurance – this IS the U.S. – I have started doing herbal treatments and will look into acupuncture. And will try harder to stay OFF it, as much as possible.
Seems logical to me that if low blood flow to the area is a big part of the problem with healing, than anything that stimulates and opens up that area is good. I may end up with surgery in the end, but want to try other avenues first.
But does it seem odd to any of you that I was never in any kind of cast at all? From these stories, sounds like immobilization is considered important…even if it doesn’t always work. Am wondering if I should get a second opinion.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Laurie
October 23, 2008 at 5:28 am
IMO I would get them to put it in a fibre glass cast get another x-ray at 4 weeks and then if no improvement then opt for surgery ASAP. With my JF I was in a walking boot foor for twelve weeks before going into a fibre glass cast which did not work, ended up with surgery anyway 8 weeks ago, orignal break was in JAN 08!!!!
October 24, 2008 at 7:31 am
Laurie–seek another doc’s opinion for your situation! Unless you can “afford” months and months of crutches, casts, and no activity, your plan for recovery will most likely be a waste of time and you will end up with surgery. I think most folks would say the same thing.
October 24, 2008 at 8:48 am
Thx for the thoughts. I definitely will seek a second opinion, and realize that I could very well end up with surgery. I don’t know about that “most folks” thing, though, Brenda. At least if you put any stock in medical studies. I’ve seen some reports online claiming that treatment with sonography gives the same success rate – 90 percent – as surgery. Here’s one: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/420773
If this is true, then where are the success stories? Is it a sham? Or maybe those happy folks who healed without surgery aren’t blogging, they’re too busy out there running around, back to normal life! Certainly most of the folks writing here have had similar experiences – I don’t discount that at all, just wonder if it’s representative of the experiences of all who have had the misfortune to suffer a jones fracture.
Who knows. We all have to feel our way with this, don’t we? I’ll let you know what happens.
Laurie
October 24, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Hi everyone,
Addressing Laurie’s comments I am a success story of a surgery for this fracture – after 12 weeks of conservative treatment i was fed up and practically demanded surgery – here is a timeline of how things went after that…
surgery may 29
cast off 2 weeks later
walk in boot 1 week later
walk in shoes July 2nd
return to full activity august 10th
Honestly, from my experience the surgery is the way to go – my foot is fixed w/ a screw and a bone graft – I saw my doc for the final time in september and he was amazed by my results. I credit my recover to nutrition, following directions regarding weight bearing, aggressive PT beginning as soon as the cast was off, and in my opinion acupuncture was very helpful.
I followed this program for my PT and it worked great – http://www.theacc.com/genrel/092005aaf.html
I am now back to normal activities of daily living – with the only real change is that I am stringent about my footwear now.
Good luck to everyone – keep your heads up – you can get through this
October 25, 2008 at 4:26 am
I don’t know why i’m so pesismistic but i keep worrying about my bone not healing even after surgery. I had surgery on 14th October’08. Its now 1 week and 4 days after surgery,its still swollen and hurts abit.I’m really praying the bone heals, i can’t stand being like in crutches anymore! Has anyone experienced no healing even after surgery? I really worried!
October 29, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Here is a non-surgical success story! I rolled my foot walking over a rutted gravel drive. I thought it was just strained or at the worst sprained. Kept walking on it due to a packed schedule that day, but ended up in so much pain that I went to an outpatient clinic for x-rays. Broken! They put me in an AirCast and on crutches. They scheduled me with an Ortho doctor next morning. More x-rays showed I had a spiraling Jones fracture. She kept me in the boot non-weight bearing for two weeks, then in a Jones compression wrap for two more due to excessive swelling. Then back in the boot for five more weeks non-weight bearing. I used crutches and a knee walker to get around. After a total of nine weeks non-weight bearing in the cast, Doctor said I could start walking on it as I felt comfortable. Three weeks later x-rays showed excellent healing and I got out of the boot and back in tennis shoes. After that long in the boot I had significant atrophy of the muscles in the foot and ankle, but a couple weeks of physical therapy got me back on track.
Doctor is putting me in orthotics to help prevent a rebreak, which she says is common the first year. No more flip-flops or barefoot – only shoes with good support.
I was extremely lucky to have found a great doctor who knew what she was doing from the start. It’s a pain to be off the foot for so long, but worth it to have the foot healed properly!
Best wishes to all of you who are still struggling with your Joneses.
October 29, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Oh man…This site is scary. I suffered a Jones fracture on Monday, October 20, so after reading all of your posts you can understand my concerns. The ER doctor initially told me that I’d be walking on it in 2 weeks and completely healed in four, running on it and ready for ski season. So after researching a 5th Metatarsal fracture and identifying the three more common types I decided to visit a specialist and my worst fears were confirmed. He suggested a plaster cast but was a bit weary because I’ve never had one so I opted for the walking boot. He said there was no guarantee that either option would lead to mending of the bone. I go back in two weeks for x-rays and after reading everything I could find about conservative treatments I’m doing everything in my power to keep it immomilized, but its proving very difficult to do. It’s only been a week and I’m already going a little stir crazy. I’m glad I’ve found this forum so I can at least share my experience with people who are suffering through the same frustrations and what seems like certain misery.
November 1, 2008 at 2:51 am
muscle stimulators…
Special enzyme engineering makes these lipids even more functional and enhanced mineral retention. Then there are different quality…
November 5, 2008 at 5:15 pm
It has been very interesting to read everyone experiences here. I tripped down three stairs and ended up with a Jones fracture on Monday. For the moment I’m in a NWB walking cast. I go back to the doctor weekly for x-rays but life is challenging as a stay at home mom with a 6 month old and a 3 year old. Looking forward to reading others updates….
November 8, 2008 at 12:00 am
I have read all these stories and I have admit it’s nice to know I am not alone. On
Sept 6 I was walking down a set to two steps and missed one.
This caused a Jones Fracture that required surgery on Sept 12 during which a plate, screws and wires where put in to correct this injury.
I was in a split for 2 weeks, then a hard cast for 6 weeks. This week I had the hard cast taken off and have earned an Aircast and (a long hot shower).
I have not been allowed to bear any weight on the foot.
My last xray was Nov 03 and there is no sign of healing. I will go back to the doc in 2 weeks. I beleive there is no healing due the fact that my crutches and I don’t get along. I have fallen 4 times since the surgery and each time had pain shoot up to my knee. The foot is still swallen and has a weird, tingley, numb feeling when touched.
I am not sure when it will feel normal.
My foot does turn purple when I am in the shower. That returns to normal once I get back to my beloved chair.
It’s a good thing I have a laptop computer or I would seriously go crazy. At times it feels like it’s my only link to the outside world. Whoever thought going to the doc would be considered a field trip.
November 8, 2008 at 12:15 am
Jen, I can understand your situation and don’t envy you. Must be hard with 2 little ones. I have my grandson, he is 3, several days a week between shifts with her husband. I am wiped out by the time he leaves and he is a very easy child to take care of.
November 8, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Hi all,
Reading these posts has led me to have my first cry since I twisted my foot on an uneven pavement on November 5 (2008).
I heard the bone snap and knew I was in trouble when I saw a bump at the side of my foot which swelled up rapidly.
I opted to go my physio first asap as he had just very successfuly helped me repair my other ankle 2 months ago and I wasn’t sure there had been a fracture – I thought it was the liagment I heard tearing.
He sent me for an xray and the radiologist told me not to go back as there was a clear fracture and 2 cracks.
I was not told it was a Jones fracture, either by her, by the doctor I saw at that medical centre nor by their physio who I only saw because the doctor sent me immediately there to get put into a cast.
This physio put me in a boot because the fracture was considered “stable”. Nothing was displaced but I was told up to 6 weeks of crutches, no weight bearing at all reviewable after 2-3 weeks.
The only reason I found out about Jones Fractures was because my original physio called asking about the xrays and when I told him what happened, he insisted I get the xrays back and ask specifically about whether it was a Jones Fracture.
He said he had seen too many of these types of fractures walk back into his door after being set in casts because they had not healed at all and patients were in worse trouble down the line.
I phoned the other physio and asked him directly if it was a Jones and he said it was but reiterated that it was stable and there should be no reason to not expect it to heal fully. He then mentioned that my doctor should have talked to me about an orthopaedic referral anyway – he hadn’t at all.
SO I left a message with his nurse who told me he wanted to see me the next day (two days after the injury).
At that stage I had spent the worst night of my life in that boot with a peculiar pressure point in the pad of my foot being triggered by the angle of the boot sending shooting pains through my foot all night long.
I live up 23 steps which is NOT FUN. I had to get out the next day and see this guy who then told me I had a Jones Fracture (??) and that as one of the cracks extended into my joint (double ??) I needed to see a bone specialist.
I had, of course, done as much research as I could in the meantime and had already found out that any anti-inflammatory medication is a big NO-NO as it interferes with bone healing (most painkillers come under this category), that I must start taking a calium supplement with boron, Vit K, Vit D3 and silica and that Bromelain is a good natural anti-inflammatory and also helps in muscle and tissue repair.
A good diet is crucial to any repair in the body and it is really important to give up all caffeine, sugar and red meat so your calcium absorption can increase.
This doctor knew absolutely NOTHING about any of this. I am incredibly unimpressed at finding out all this in this way – why on earth don’t doctors gve you the full bloody picture straight up? None of us has time to waste in this situation.
Worse for me, I am a musician (low earnings NO insurances of any kind, self employed so no compensation and if I don’t work, I don’t earn) and make my living on my feet apart from teaching which I cannot afford to give up for 6 weeks. Luckily I can teach from a chair but the inactivity is driving me berserk and it hasn’t even been a week yet….
I was so desperate after three days that I went back to teaching on Day 4 but the effort of getting from my massage (which turned into a Reiki session as the therapist wouldn’t massage me with this injury) to my music school which was just up the street was unbelievable on crutches and I’ll never do that again.
Today my shoulders and back are sore from the effort.
I’m going to see the bone specialist asap even if it costs me my last penny. I am NOT taking a chance in the Bone Fracture Clinic at the hospital, even though that’s free, because this is my foot = my future walking capability.
I am a very fit and healthy 44-year-old who has gone from 5 days a week at the gym and walking or running everywhere to lying around on the couch all day.
But I am suing the council over that uneven footpath! I’ve never broken a bone in my life.
I have questions for anyone who can answer them:
How soon can I start exercising my upper body? I need to do something but just don’t want to overexert my system while it is occupied with healing.
Does everyone elevate their hurt foot? ie are we all meant to spend our days flat on our backs with the foot up or just through the night?
Is anyone with a boot taking it off regularly to ice the foot? Or is it better to leave the foot as stable as possible? I’ve taken the foot out to reposition it in the boot as the pressure pain was killing me but I was VERY careful not to move the foot around at all.
Are we all wiggling our toes? I was told to do this but am now worried about any movement – how impossible is this? I jog the damn foot just by trying to get to the loo on crutches even without any weightbearing!!
Showering? My husband says the boot is starting to smell (Oh Lord, thank you for shredding the last of my dignity.). Should I be washing it after just four days???
Thanks advance for any advice and I am going to get some Quantum Healing sessions done on the foot as well. I’ll do anything to be out of this in 8 weeks time. Otherwise I’ll be completely broke…..
Em
November 9, 2008 at 11:17 am
EM,
SEEK AN ORTHO-POD SURGEON RIGHT AWAY. THERE IS A 14 DAY WINDOW THAT THE SURGEON HAS TO WORK WITH. YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOC SHOULD BE ABLE TO REFER YOU TO ONE IN YOUR AREA.
WHEN I FIRST WAS INJURED I WENT TO WALK IN CLINIC WHERE I HAD XRAYS. THE DOC CAME OUT AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO THAT I HAD TO SEE A ORTHO-POD SURGEON. I WAS REFERRED BY THE CLINIC TO A WONDERFUL DOC.
HE TOLD ME TO TELL THEM WHEN I CALLED THAT IT WAS A COMMINUTED,”JONES” FRACTURE.
WHEN I CALLED I RELAYED THIS INFO AND THEY SAID COME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER TO TRY TO GIVE THE SWELLING A CHANCE TO GO DOWN.
I WENT IN HAD ANOTHER SET OF XRAYS AND THE POD DOC STARTED LAUGHING. I ASKED WHAT WAS SO FUNNY AND HE SAID I HAD A VERY BAD SITUATION GOING ON WITH MY FOOT AND IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE A PUZZLE TO REPAIR. HE WAS ONLY LAUGHING TO KEEP ME UPBEAT DUE TO THE FACT THAT HE WAS ABOUT TO TELL ME THIS WAS GOING TO BE A LONG PROCESS.
FORTUNATELY FOR ME I HAVE TEMPORARY DISABLITY INSURANCE WHICH DOES NOT COVER WHAT I MAKE BUT IT IS ENOUGH TO COVER THE MORTGAGE AND I WORK FOR A GREAT COMPANY WHO WILL HOLD MY JOB.
TO ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTION:
I WAS SHOWERING WITH A PLASTIC BAG COVERING THE SPLIT AND PLASTER HARD CAST. DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE SMELL THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. NOONE AROUND YOU CAN SMELL IT.
I WOULD SUGSEST TO GET A SHOWER CHAIR, THIS MAKES IF MUCH EASIER WITH LESS CHANCE OF SLIPPING.
I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE FOOT ELEVATED AT ALL TIMES AND DURING THE TWO WEEKS AFTER SURGERY I WORE A SPLINT AND HAD TO ICE IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
ONCE THE HARD CAST WENT ON OF COURSE THERE WAS NO WAY TO PUT ICE ON IT. STILL ELEVATED AND NO WEIGHT BEARING.
AS I STATED BEFORE, MY LAPTOP HAS BECOME MY CLOSEST FRIEND, KEEPING ME FROM GOING NUTS.
MY HUSBAND WORKS NIGHTS AND SLEEPS DURING THE DAY. AND ALL MY FRIENDS WORK DURING THE DAY BUT I AM ABLE TO EMAIL THEM. KEEPS MY CONNNECTED TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
I WAS NOT TOLD TO TAKE ANY VITAMINS EXCEPT I DID LOOK INTO THIS AS WELL THRU RESEARCH AND FOUND IT WOULD NOT BE A BAD IDEA.
I CAN WIGGLE MY TOES BUT IT WAS NOT SUGGESTED AS THERE ARE TENDONS THAT WILL MOVE AND PROLONG HEALING.
I CAN SAY THAT IF YOU HAVE SURGERY RECOVERY IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE.
AFTER SURGERY I HAD NO PAIN, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE THE AIR CAST IT IS STARTING TO ACHE AND IS STILL SWALLEN. I AM TAKING IT DAY BY DAY AND LISTENING TO MY DOC.
GOOD LUCK AND CAREFUL WITH THOSE STAIRS. I HAVE ONLY ATTEMPTED STAIRS ONCE AND THAT WAS FOR MY DAUGHTERS BRIDAL SHOWER OTHER WISE I WOULD NOT HAVE GONE.
November 9, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Thanks so much for all your info.
I am puzzled by so much, I was told to wiggle my toes so that’s weird but I undestand about having the foot elevated as much as possible.
I am calling the bone specialist today to try and get an appointment asap.
I guess he’ll know from my xray if surgery is the best option but I feel so much better informed now!
The problem I have with surgery is that I am a singer and cannot afford to have a normal anaesthetic tube down my throat past my vocal cords. I have to have either a soecialist tube which means a specialist doing the application or a spinal block – either way it means no freebie at the local hospital on Medicare!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Em
November 9, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Em,
I had my surgery done in a surgical center. I did not have anything put down my throat. They gave me an IV and off to sleep I went. My surgery was to be about 45 minutes to an hour but I messed my foot up so bad that it took 2 hours and 10 minutes. I will keep updating my story. You keep writing in. It does help to know there are people you can chat with going thru the same thing. You might be able to sing if you can crutch and then sit down.
Good luck
November 9, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hi Margie,
Oh thank God! I was wondering if I would have to have a spinal block! Then I was imagining that going wrong and being a singer in a wheelchair…..not good.
At least I can teach sitting down!
I am so angry at the runaround I’ve been getting over all this. I’ve been told by the surgeon’s office I can see him directly at the hospital Bone Fracture Clinic and why have I waited this long because I don’t have much time left to make a decision about surgery, the cheeky cow!
I fired right back at her that it was pretty hard to make the right decisions when no-one tells you it is a Jones Fracture and what that means, you only find out two days later because your own physio is curious and suggests you get the xrays back and get a second opinion, you then find out the doctor should have spoken to you about an orthopaedic referral right from the start so you waste another day getting back to that doctor so you can get the damn referral and then you have to wait the whole weekend to find out from the surgeon’s secretary he is booked until March but you can see him at the bone fracture clinic…………..then you find out you CAN’T because you have to go through Accident and Emergency to get to the bone clinic. Sorry, was I shouting?
One massive and very tearful tantrum later I have an appointment with the surgeon for today at 5pm. Sheesh. Anyone else feel like they have been reduced to the status of a two-year-old???
Em, in sympathy with all Jones Sufferers and off to take her Calcium supplement and Silica capsules. And sulk. And watch more DVDs. Ugh.
November 9, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Margie et al:
Just some info, I’m taking Wagners Calcium Complete (sometimes called Calcium Complex) because it has Boron, Vit K, Vit D3 and mangnesium which are all good for bone healing and formation.
Also Planet Earth’s colloidal Silica which absolutely helped heal my other ankle when I tore that ligament – that was a grade 3 tear which should have taken 4-6 weeks to heal and took just 2-3 before I was back running.
I’m also taking Bromelain, a pineapple extract which has natural anti-inflam and soft tissue healing properties as well as being a pain killer, because I am avoiding those since reading about them interfering with bone healing (scary). You can also eat fresh pineapple but I suffer from Insulin Resistance so have to avoid fruit.
Vit C is also essential for healing as is Zinc.
I’m also drinking liquid chlorophyll (tastes pepperminty, vitamin aisle at Coles supermarkets) since leafy green veges are recommended and everyone knows cows who live on chlorophyll through grass-grazing have the most calcium dense bones of ANY animal (and they don’t drink milk either!).
Hope this helps y’all!
November 10, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Wow, I just came back from seeing the Orthopaedic surgeon and I’m confused all over again…
He says it isn’t a ‘true’ Jones fracture at all, he wants me to weight bear on it as soon as possible (monitoring the pain and taking as much as I can handle) and edxpects me to be up and walking when the boot comes off in 6 weeks time!!
He seems incredibly cheery about it all and quite unequivocal. Mind you, he also doesn’t believe in vitamins or diet having any effect and frankly that to me is a clue as to what kind of medico he is but he was justifiably concerned about smoking (I don’t) and that makes me curious. If you can be worried about the toxins in smoking and that effect in the body, how could you ignore the role of diet in health?? Silly.
He also doesn’t believe any physio will be neccesary afterwards! Just walk alot, he says! Not sure that’s right. I rolled the ankle and there is definate ligament damage!
Anyway, I’m going to take his advice cautiously. I just don’t think weightbearing is sensible in the first week of a fracture so I’ll keep resting until the pain subsides and try it maybe at 3 weeks.
I strongly believe a good diet produces good health so will continue with the vitamins etc anyway but the main thing is NO SURGERY!
Now, a very interesting thing he did say was that taking another xray at 4 and even 6 weeks is useless because new bone formation DOESN’T SHOW on the xray so you can’t tell about any healing! This is fascinating because loads of people here have said they and their surgeons have freaked out because their subsequent xrays show the same fracture….
Now if my guy says xrays are useless at determining new bone/calcium formation until 3-6 months after a fracture, why is anyone rushing for surgery after just 6 weeks on the basis of an xray which couldn’t show that healing anyway? That seems really, really important!
This guys says you must determine healing on your ability to weightbear versus the pain it produces and any signs of continued swelling and says all the fractures of this type he has seen never show any bone healing until 3-6 months so he judges his patients on the above and he has never seen a problem. The one thing he did say was that it was possible to suffer some residual pain for up to 3 months after the fracture but that this then subsides quickly.
Curious,yes? Are people having unneccesary surgery?
Em in wonderment.
November 10, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Em,
First you can yell whenever you feel the need. lol
I would listen to the bone doc since it is his specialty. I am sure he sees this more than one can imagine.
Many docs don’t have the same feeling about many vitamins as us lame people. I will take anything that I beleive will help. My feeling is if it doesn’t hurt me it will be okay to take. I don’t think they are against a healthy diet, just all the pills and home remedies.
I wish I could send you a picture of my foot but of course I don’t have the xrays.
I do have a pic of the hardware that was put in. Very interesting picture.
I was told that because my bone was a comminuted fracture; a fracture in which bone is broken, splintered or crushed into a number of pieces. A fracture is considered comminuted when there are at least 3 bone fragments. Surgery was the only route. I actually had a small piece taken out due it being a small sliver he could not reattach.
Jones Fracture also known at 5th Metatarsal Fracture is what I have. It’s comminuted due to the many pieces.
The 5th metatarsol is the most outer edge bone of you foot.
I don’t think yours is a Jones due to it not having the 5th metatarsal involved.
This is why I say to listen to the ortho doc. They know best.
Will be waiting to hear back.
November 11, 2008 at 9:54 pm
It’s always good to get a second opinion since doctors have various diagnoses/advice. I did not know I had a Jones fracture until four weeks later after the injury occurred and the cast came off for X-rays which showed no healing of the bone. Initially, the docs just told me I had a fractured bone in my foot and did not elaborate. When they put another cast on, I inquired to my condition and the ortho docs informed me that I have a Jones Fracture. I also asked what can I do to help with the healing and was told to elevate and stay off it as much as possible. Another doc was walking by and I asked him what I could do to increase my chances of healing and decrease the chances of nonunion. He told me to take alot of calcium, Vitamin D, stay away from red meats, drink alot of orange juice and water (to reduce the chances of kidney stones due to increased intake of calcium), avoid alcohol, caffeine and red meats. In addition, I eat salads everyday which include green leaf lettuce, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and cashews. After two weeks of his advice (6 weeks post injury) I had my foot x-rayed thru the cast and saw calcification occurring. I’m now at 11 weeks and the calcification is continuing, but slowly. I go back to the ortho docs on Thursday (Nov 13) to check my status and to determine whether or not I will need another fiberglass cast. Most likely, I will have another one. From these posts and other forums, a Jones fracture will take a long time to heal by going the conservative route. Like some of you, I’m avoiding surgery as much as possible and realize it may take 10 months before I can go back to hardcore exercising.
November 11, 2008 at 10:28 pm
One thing folks trying to avoid surgery might also consider is a bone stimulation treatment. There are several different methods – combined magnetic field, sonogram, emf – that involve stimulation of that area of the foot to encourage bone growth/healing. I got my jones fracture July 27, was scheduled for surgery in early October after there was no evidence of healing, but decided to try this alternative route first. Started on the magnetic version of the bone stimulator last week. It’s very simple, a device you strap your foot into at home, turn it on for 1/2 hour a day. They CLAIM that the results are as good as surgery in cases of non-union, around 85 percent, but that the average time to healing is around 4 months. In addition, of course, I’m also building up the calcium. Having a hard time staying off caffeine, though, with this sedentary lifestyle! Am swimming several times a week to get exercise; that helps both mentally and physically.
I realize I may end up with surgery in the end, but will try this first.
November 12, 2008 at 6:22 am
Hi everybody,
this site has been the source of information and frustration :) I rolled my ankle on Nov. 8th (4 days ago now), kept it cold and elevated the night and got to ER next evening (after taking a ferry, a taxi, a plane and a train). XRays showed a clear fracture, it is in the middle of the 5th metatarsal. The ER guys and the doctor I saw next morning said an operation is necessary; however, the doctor did not cast the foot, just gave me some elastic bandages to use with it.
Next day I went to another hospital, where the opinion was that there is no need for surgery unless you want it, and that the surgery would not speed it. Got a light cast-kinda-thing, and some promises about being able to swim in 4 weeks and run in 8.
Now the trouble is, I live in Japan. The doctors do not speak English. I am worried that I am not getting the entire picture, and whether should try to get one of them hyper-expensive international clinic doctors to look at it… The concept of “sick leave” also does not exist here and so far I have not succeeded to in getting a certificate from the doctor to order me stay home. I have no car, the perfectly functioning subway system has thousands of stairs… In addition, I am (or was) in the middle of applying for positions at several institutions outside Japan and my current contract is ending in January…
I have never ever broken anything before, even though my life has been filled to the brim with all kinds of injury-prone sports. So ironic to break a bone by just..tripping indoors on a nice floor. Initially when I was told about a month of recovery, I was just worrying about my coming business trip next week, but after reading all this – the reports of the foot not feeling like your own, about months of inactivity… so, even though I believe the human skin should not be cut open unless really needed, I will not survive if I won’t be able to get back to my active life in months…
I know I am early into this (just 4 days!) and should not complain, but I am just so scared this’ll be dragging for months and months … my sports activities more or less define me, and the thought of not being able to be active…. just unbearable.
November 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Hi all,
Margie, mine is a break of the fifth metatarsal but apparently the break is just a little too high on the bone to be a true Jone’s Fracture. I have one clear break and two hairline cracks but all pieces are perfectly in line (not displaced).
I am inclined to agree with a conservative approach and in talking with a medico friend of mine, she says it is absolutely true about calcification not properly showing on an xray until 3-6 months after the fracture which means you just can’tget a true picture of healing before then except by monitoring your pain levels and ability to weightbear.
What I don’t agree with is trying to force weight on it too soon! I’m having more pain at night now than I did in the first week and I don’t know what that is about but my husband thinks it is the healing process…..
My medico friend says actively rolling through the foot (taking your weight mostly on the crutches though) has the benefit of keeping some of the muscles from atrophying too much so that makes sense.
Rich, having an xray at just 4 weeks is apparently useless for determining any healing. But the other advice you’ve been given and what you are doing sounds wonderful! I was told I should be back walking in just 6 weeks so if yours has taken so long is it because your fracture was displaced (the fracture pieces were apart from each other??)
Laurie, I’ve switched to decaff and make one great fresh bean coffee in the morning and that’s it. I put double cream in it to keep it all low carb and really enjoy it!
Lost Fin, if your break is in the middle of the bone, it isn’t a Jones Fracture. Jone’s is a problem fracture because it occurs at the base of the fifth metatarsal where there is almost no circulation and therefore healing is unlikely.
It must be so frustrating to be in a foreign country too but at least you are in a proper cast. Is your break clean with no displaced pieces? I doubt you would be back running in 8 weeks but then again my orthopod had a patient with a displaced fracture in the same place as mine (low on the bone, less circulation) who is walking without crutches in just 6 weeks so you never know. Staying positive is crucial and that fact is you can’t change this, you have no choice but to make the best of the situation and try to relax into it.
You need to insist on more information – why do you have two opinions about surgery? Do you NEED it or would it simply be more convenient? I was a five-day-a-week gym girl, sprinting and weights so I know how you feel but you can get around this. You can continue with upper body work at home no problem and make sure your diet is low carb to avoid putting on weight if that bothers you.
The fact is, this is going to change your life. It is horribly frustrating but give yourself a week to be justifiably miserable and then change your approach tomake the best of the situation.
I’m a singer/entertainer and vocal tutor. It just kills me that is have lost gigs at the most valuable time of the year and can’t have my singing lessons (I can still teach others though!).
On the other hand I’m now bookkeeping for my husband (who badly needs his books in order so that is a new job for me), watching over my baby nephew so my sister can go out and get her hair cut, watching heaps of DVDs I never got a chance to watch before and reading books as well as spending too much time on the internet and monitoring excessive plane noise over my flat! LOL!
My computer files have never been more organised too!
Chins up, all.
Em
November 12, 2008 at 6:39 pm
WOW! A lot of posts in the last two days. Em, I totally agree with on feeling horrible for yourself for a week and then go on with your healing.
I had enough of this air cast last night and took it off to sleep. What a mistake.
I guess I moved it wrong while sleeping and woke up with it very swallen.
I went and did a brave thing today, I went to the dog park in our town with my dog, my daughter and her dog. Of course she walked the dogs from the car to the park as I crutched around. It was fun to feel like I did something worthwhile. My dog loves the park and I feel bad that I have not been able to bring him.
I did just finish the favors for my daughters wedding so another thing accomplished. These are the little things that make you feel good. I am tired though. As everyone knows it is not easy to crutch it.
I do have a black and blue on my arm from falling in my kitchen the other night. I hope this goes away by 11/22 (day of wedding)
My daughter is going nuts this week getting holiday shopping done and cooking meals to freeze before she goes in to have 2 screws that have loosened removed from a prior foot repair.
Weight gain is up about 12 pounds since injury Labor Day weekend.
I have been watching what I eat but not moving and having hypothyroidism are causing me to gain. I was upset about it but I will take it off once I can get back to my treadmill.
I did not give up my coffee, it makes me happy.
Keep posting, it gives us all something to look forward to.
Margie
November 12, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Em,
thank you so much for encouragement! I have some times in my hectic life almost hoped for something like this to happen, so that I would have the good excuse to stop and think of things… but not now when I had all things lined up!
Aww… I’ve never had much of an issue of weight gain with all the sports going on, now I realize that it will be another burden on the self-image… But thanks for pointing this out, I will start doing some weight work with the upper body … What about swimming? Does anyone know at what stage it would be OK?
The break looked somehow clean and not displaced to me, however, what I got from the doctors was more or less “Bone is broken. Need / do not need an operation”. It is not even so much an issue of language barrier (which is, believe me, frustrating… the first one – the one that suggested operation – treated me like a retard since I could not speak proper Japanese) as I had a translator with me, they doctors in general just do not feel like they need to explain things to patients. The first doctor said something about 5 mm displacement, the second one said no displacement…
The foot does not hurt really, and the initial swelling has mostly gone (and replaced by this very pretty greenish-yellowish coloration); I was given a cast that I need to take off twice a day for applying medicated plasters (I guess they contain some anti-swelling stuff?) and now am worried whether I tie it up too loose or too tight… is it better to have it tight, or just enough to prevent accidental moving?
Tomorrow I will have another x-ray, I don’t know whats the point of that if new bone won’t be visible anyways until several months. But at least I will have another opportunity at trying to get some info from the doctor.
Thanks all for posting … keep on reporting on your progress!
November 13, 2008 at 12:05 am
I thought I sprained my ankle and when I felt that it wasn’t healing properly, I sought orthopedic intervention over two weeks later. A Dr. x-rayed it and diagnosed it as a Jones fracture and he used another term, which I can’t remember. But essentially, I have two fractures. A PT was supposed to bring a Bone Stimulator to me today, but never showed up or called. That aside, from reading these posts, I’m considering a second opinion and perhaps will inquire if surgery would bring a better result. My dilemma is not ordinary at all…..I’m 56, and have osteoporsis for which I am taking Boniva. Would a bone stimulator be effecitve in my case? Also, I am currently receiving radiation treatments for cancer and my last treatment is December 24th…..I’m perplexed as to how I can have surgery and still undergo radiation treatments. Well, I guess I’ll have to leave that up to the professionals. But, will my fracture remain untreated til then? I’m no happy…..any suggestions would be welcome.
November 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Hi all:
I just came back from my ortho and visit and they removed the cast and did not replace it with a new one. From the X-rays, the bone seems to be about 90% healed. He gave me a hard shoe and told me to start walking on it, and slowly adding weight to it by still using the crutches. He said that at this stage, weight-bearing should assist with the healing. Of course I’m going to take it slow, especailly since my ankle and calf are both stiff and cause some discomfort. But the foot feels good.
Em: My fracture was not displaced. The problem with the first 4 weeks was that I did not follow my doc’s orders. I did not stay off the foot, I took painkillers/anti-inflammatory drugs quite frequently which inhibits bone growth, and my diet was just horrible with no supplements. When I was given the bad news at 4 weeks, I totally changed my diet as discussed previously and stayed off my foot as much as possible with elevation. During this visit, he was surprised by how well it healed. I’m not out of the woods yet and plan on continuing my diet/supplement routine.
My next followup is four weeks and I hope to see more healing.
I’m 42 years old and the conservative way worked for me. I know at times it gets depressing, but just hang in there! It will be well worth it.
November 14, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I’d just like to remind everyone that Jones Fx’s are classified differently based on prodromal symptoms and history of the incendent. Familiarize yourselves with Torg’s classification because that is what your ortho uses to diagnose the severity of your injury and the subsequent treatment.
I suffered a Jones Fx about 4 weeks ago and upon hearing the news immediately ran home to research anything I could find about it on the internet and in online texts. Obviously, like most of you, I found the information very disconcerting and became unsatisfied with my doctors initial explanation. Upon returning with many questions, he explained that I had a type I fracture with a clear fracture line that was impacted which, in his experience, would only require conservative treatment to acheive successful union. Because it was a clean break, transverse, with the bones nondisplaced and impacted, and no indramedullary sclerosis, endosteal reaction, or cortical hypertrophy, surgery would not be required. But if it was type II or III he would have certainly used internal fixation from the outset.
Many of you are coming here and reading these experiences and they are indeed horrifying. But before you conclude the worst you should do your homework and discuss what you find with your doctor. Conservative treatment may work for you and if that’s what your doc recommended he’s more than likely telling you its not that bad.
November 15, 2008 at 2:02 pm
My fracture was a Type II in which my ortho doc was on the fence post whether or not to go conservative or surgery. It was not a clean break thru the bone; it fractured through the bone due to impact and also had a “Y” fracture that came off the original fracure.
Chris: Understand your point in your last paragraph; however, not all doctors are the same (hence, the old adage of “get a second opinion”). In my opinion, by reading this blog people are doing their “homework” by learning about other individual’s experiences and what has worked. I have also read numerous online texts/abstracts and a majority have stated (just like the abstract above) the best alternative is internal fixation. If it was not for this blog, I would not have learned so much regarding how to change my diet which has worked wonders. Some docs disregard eating habits/supplements as helpful while others laud it. In addition, I learned the proper conservative approach from other’s experiences that have benefited me. Finally, this blog helps people get through this together since it’s an extensive healing process and can get quite depressing and sharing each other’s experience actually boosts people’s morale.
November 15, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Greetings Jones FX Friends,
I am amazed, somewhat fearful and grateful for all I have learned from all of you. Thank-you for sharing your stories and advice. I’ve just had my fiberglass cast removed after 7+ weeks and am now wearing a walking boot for 6 more. I feel so much better about not being a wimp. I thought it was “just a little fracture” and tried to do more than I should because it seemed to be such a slight injury. Who knew? Did anyone tell me all this was possible? Did I ask? No and No.
I was shocked yesterday about having the boot and crutches for 6 weeks. So I didn’t really ask about what to do at night or how to get my weird leg, foot and ankle to become “normal” again.
I took the boot off last night to sleep in, all was well this morning. I am keeping it off when I’m in “the chair” and flexing my foot to help my leg cramps and Achilles stretch.
Any advice on getting strength and mobility back into my ankle and leg?
Again, thanks for sharing. I feel much better about how I have handled this.
Cheers and healing thoughts to all,
Janet
November 16, 2008 at 11:54 am
HEY,
Where are all the regulars? I have another appointment tomorrow and will keep you posted.
November 16, 2008 at 11:56 am
Sorry, I have not idea what my computer was doing, but after my last comment the screen changed and now I can see your entries. Weird huh? Well I am off to read your stories.
November 16, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Rich,
This forum is indeed a mix of ideas, thoughts and knowing your you are not alone.
It’s a great place to vent when you need to as at times you feel the people around you have no idea what you are going thru.
It’s true every doc has his/her own way of treating the injury. As always if your not satisfied with one you seek a second opinion. At the very least you (not you personally) need to listen to your doc, they are the experts.
November 16, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Janet,
My injury was Labor Day weekend and I am into my second week of an Air cast. At times I take it off when sitting in “my” chair as well. Last night I thought I would try to sleep without the cast or the support stocking. Although I have had trouble with the swelling,I was horrified to see just how swollen it became overnight. I will not do that again. I am going to take a shower and put the stocking and boot back on. I hope the swelling goes down before my appointment tomorrow.
I try now and again to move my ankle around but it does not move. I have to remind myself I have been with no movement or weight bearing since Labor Day. I guess that will be another bridge to cross when I get there.
Talk to you all later.
November 16, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Thanks Margie!
I have had 2 nights with “the boot off” and so far no swelling. My leg used to swell pretty regularly in the cast during the day. It would always go down by morning after being propped up on 2 pillows.
I managed to fracture myself on Sept. 28th. The Dr. said 4-6 weeks in a short leg cast. I went back after 3 weeks to be told 4 more weeks and then probably 2 with a walking boot. Friday I had the cast removed and was told 6 more weeks in the boot with the first 2 as non-weight bearing. I’ve just been very disheartened each time I “walk” out.
I’m trying to be up beat but there are times when this whole situation gets the better of me and I am saddened. Sometimes I feel as though people expect me to just roll with this and get over it. And while I am trying, I just think that if I could really see the end in sight it would be helpful.
I’m sure it doesn’t help that I teach first grade and feel as though I haven’t been able to do all the things I would typically do with and for my kids. They are a great class with wonderful parents, thank goodness. It’s just exhausting to “crutch” around and teach and be there for them.
Thanks for “listening” Margie and everyone else. I will keep you in my thoughts as you go to your next appointment.
Wishing you all good news and swift recoveries,
Janet
November 16, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hi All:
My doc had me go directly from cast to “start walking.” I thought it was odd that I didn’t get an air cast to transition from since the bone is not totally healed but he believes healing will increase through weight-bearing. I saw another doctor who viewed my latest x-rays and he believes I should be in an air cast, non-weight bearing. So, right now I’m not wearing any type of cast and very cautiously walking with the aid of crutches until a decision as to the coarse of action is determined.
Intially after the cast was removed, my foot and ankle swelled up considerably and both were very stiff. The swelling has reduced and I’m carefully doing stretching exercises to reduce the stiffness. Little by little the ankle/foot is getting better with mobility.
November 16, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Hi all,
I was out of action due to going to my sister’s place so she can look after me and give my husband a break – ie I can look after my niece while she looks after the new baby! LOL! Not much rest really but good family bonding time.
Interesting new posts from people and the different experiences can seem bewildering to any newbies such as I was just over a week ago.
I guess the people who post on these sites tend to be those who haven’t had the best experiences and so are looking deeper and for more answers but that also widens everyones’ knowledge.
And it is the little things which seem to affect people. Being worried about the injury means feeling sensitive about every little variant so let’s share!
1. I got put straight into an immobilisation boot, aka moonboot, because my fracture was not displaced. I was told an undisplaced fracture CAN displace but only through violent movement. I was told not to make it tight because there has to be room for swelling. I knew not to take anti-inflammatories and stuck to Panadol but I’m not a great medication user anyway so I only took them at night when the pain interfered with my sleep.
2. I slept on my back with the foot raised on pillows and found the boot most uncomfortable at night for the first week. I got a horrible pain through the pad of my foot, in the middle just below the middle toes, which kept waking me up. I thought it to be a pressure point being triggered and my surgeon agreed. Interestingly, as the swelling subsided, so did the pain and this week I rarely feel that and I’m no longer elevating the boot at night because the swelling has gone and I can’t sleep on my back! I figure better sleep makes for better healing.
3. I was told to wiggle my toes to encourage circulation and I felt through the night like wanting to flex and stretch the foot which I resisted. When I got the boot, I was told I didn’t need a compression bandage as well but the boot/foot got smelly quickly and when I finally gave up, took the boot off and washed both, I put the foot into a compression bandage as a barrier for the boot so I didn’t sweat directly into it (it’s almost summer in Sydney!).
I don’t know if the compression bandage helped – my swelling has gone down quickly but I had to loosen the bootstraps every night til then because the swelling made the boot too tight.
4. This week (the second week) the swelling has gone and I have begun flexing a tiny amount when I feel like it through the night and rolling through the foot on crutches with a tiny amount of weight. While my surgeon said put weight on the foot asap and deal with the pain, I am opting for a more conservative approach because I CAN. So what if this is difficult? So what if this means I can’t do the things I was doing before?
5. This is the reality of having an accident/being ill, folks. Bones do not heal fast and there is a good reason for that so wanting things to go faster than my body can achieve is useless. Our lives are so fast nowadays we are forgetting that our bodies are ancient and don’t care about how modern life works – that is a head thing!
6. So I’ve changed my life to cope and to maximise my chances of allowing my body to heal this itself, as it was meant to and can do. I’m lucky, the break is clean so this doesn’t neccesarily apply to those with
bad breaks. However, be cautious about seeking surgery just to make your life easier – what does that actually mean? Your body was made to heal and maybe the time taken out of things to do that just has to be accepted.
7. This means I stay off the foot as much as possible and elevate it when I can. I only do the work I absolutely have to do and I ask for help to do it to avoid overstretching myself. I’m actually resting because I need to (and crutching IS exhausting!). The body uses more resources to heal and so I’m working with it by feeding it better and taking long breaks to micronap or veg out watching DVDs (‘House’ is good!).
8. I’ve gone low-carb to avoid putting on weight and so far I think I might have lost weight! It is not so bad snacking on a plate of cucumber slices topped with cream cheese and ham or having a low-joule jelly made with coconut milk, y’know. And my sister makes the meanest Power Pancakes which are wicked with sugar-free syrup!
Life is too miserable to miss coffee – pick your battles.
9. I’ve started an upper body regimen with handweights and dumbells, enough to raise a sweat and earn my shower. I have RSI in my wrists which makes crutches diabolical for me but I am coping so far and I think it is because of my upper body strength so I don’t want to lose that.
10. I’m learning to let things go because being miserable takes too much of my body’s resources and I need those for healing.
That was long but hope it helps!
Em
November 16, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Em,
You are fabulous! Great attitude and advice! #10 is the best truth!
Press on,
Janet
November 17, 2008 at 12:43 am
I couldn’t sleep so I thought I would check for new postings. I too have learned to let go. I am a person who has to have everything in its place and beleive me this is a huge adjustment.
Since I cannot do the housecleaning I cannot complain about how or when it gets done. I just get lost in tv, dvd’s or surfing the web.
Em, “House” is the best. I am into wathing “Lost”. I started with season one and I am half way thru season two. Totally awsome. I did not realize before this injury that so many shows are online. True life saver.
I also agree with our bodies being ancient and life is in fast forward. At 50 years old and except for the foot I am in good shape. The only thing reminding me of my age is the time it takes to recover from anything. Ugh.
Well I am going to try to sleep and I will report back after the doc on Monday.
Cheers all.
November 17, 2008 at 4:44 am
Hi all, I did my jones fracture in Jan this year, ended up with a DVT and no healing because I was weight bearing after only a few days. I had the surgery in September and had the cast off mid october, boot for 2.5 weeks and then into a normal shoe.
I have had alot of physio but my foot is still very sore will be going back to the doctor on Wed to see if the bone has finally healed. Will let you all know how i go.
November 17, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hey, I just got back from the doc. I get to put 1/4 to 1/2 of my weight with crutches and walk. I don’t need air cast to sleep or when sitting around. I go back to doc in 2 weeks to see where I’m at and possibly start pt.
This is huge for me. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just being able to put some weight is wonderful.
November 17, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Wow, a lot of discussion has gone on since I last visited the site!!! Thanks everyone so much for sharing your stories and thoughts. I really enjoy reading them.
My injury was September 12th, and I was one of those people was treated improperly for the first 6 weeks by a GP (only put in a wooden shoe) and finally referred to a specialist. At 8 weeks, I was put in a cam boot and a bone stimulator was ordered, only my insurance refuses to pay for it until the injury is 90 days passed.
I’ve been on crutches for just over 2 months now and go back to the specialist Nov. 25th… Blue Cross won’t cover the bone stimulator until after December 13th. I’m still non-weight bearing and last x-ray, my fracture has only separated further and shows no signs of calcification.
I would love to share more about how this whole experience has positively impacted my life when I have more time soon. :) I hope everyone is doing well and able to keep a good spirit.
Best wishes!!
November 17, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Margie! Good news for you and well done on the attitude.
I had forgotten about “Lost”! I saw Series 1-3 and will now track down the 4th – non-pay TV here is awful so I only saw patchy episodes before and hated not knowing what was going on but love being up with the play now.
I’m also watching “Brideshead Revisted”, the original Granada series, which is such a joy. Beautifully acted and filmed in that wonderful old-fashioned way, it is a reminder of how people used to live which has resonance for me at the moment.
As for La Foot, I have been trying a little weight-bearing but wondered if I had done the right thing because I had some pain I haven’t had before and realised I was sort of hopping on it instead of rolling fully through it.
So I’m giving it up for the rest of the week and will try again next week after more rest.
I have noticed that now I have more time for my family, they are telling more about what is going on in their lives and are actualy seeking my input – I hadn’t realised this WASN’T happening before!
There’s a lesson in that somewhere……
Em
November 17, 2008 at 11:19 pm
EM,
I watch all my shows online. If you go to fancast.com you will be able to find almost any show in full episode. I never saw “Brideshead Revisited” but I will look it up.
I have been trying to walk/roll thru with crutches but not very good at it “yet”. What is happening is I have been getting a sharp pain in my knee with increasing pain over the last couple of weeks. So when I go to put weight this sharp pain stops my in my tracks.
I did tell the doc about it today when he had me rolling in his office. He said to give it a week and if it the pain does not let up to make an appt with the ortho in his office. He feels one of my falls might have caused a slight maniscus (sp) tear but he is not able to say. And since he is not ortho he would leave that to him.
Has anyone else felt this type of pain?
I can understand how you would be hoping on the foot. It is a normal response to pain to get off it right away and that would be to hop. Try to relax and not do to much with it. Even though I was told to walk/roll he said to do it in moderation. He also said if it swells to sit and ice it.
MEG,
Your foot has been messed up since Jan? Wow.
I can’t imagine how you must feel. Does your foot swell and turn purple?
GINGER,
Sounds like your going thru some tough stuff. I am so glad I have insurance that is paying for everything. It is not bad enough to be down and out but to have to worry about med bills, ugh. Keep posting, it’s like therapy.
Hey, gotta go for now. We have online grocery shopping and delivery here and my food is here.
What would we do with the internet?
November 18, 2008 at 6:49 am
Margie
Yep Jan seems so long ago now, 2008 has been a nightmare of a year for me, good news is that its nearly over. The only swelling I was getting was around my ankle but even now this has subsided in last couple of days. The purple foot thing used to really scare me, especially since I had DVT, but this went after I started walking around without crutches. I really recommend that you get PT as I think this has really help me get back on my feet. I am know back at the gym mainly using the bike but have also started swimming.
Good luck sounds like you are nearly there.
November 18, 2008 at 8:46 am
hello again, all. Good to hear all the positive stories, and ideas for coping. And I agree, that the silver lining has been to give more time for family and friends, and catching up with bills. One wise friend said: “Sounds like you needed to just slow down.”
Had an appointment yesterday with a new osteo doc. Review of my situation: fracture July 27, clean break, but non union as of Oct 7 xrays. I backed out of the surgery my first doc was pushing, am now doing bone stimulator, have been on and off crutches, have not been in cast at all, throughout. Not a lot of pain, but soreness if I put weight on it too long.
Would like to share with you all what has become clear to me in talking to several doctors, reading online, etc. There is VERY LITTLE MEDICAL CONSENSUS right now on proper treatment of a jones fracture, esp immobilization vs. weight bearing. My present doc feels that for the bone to heal and regenerate, especially in this problem area, there needs to be a carefully monitored amount of functional use and weightbearing, and research seems to bear that out. (Again, this is a clean break – type 1, I think. Can be very different when displacement or shattering is involved.) Calcium doesn’t build up as well when the bone isn’t being used; this is what the bone stimulator is trying to simulate! He called immobilization, long periods of casts, rest, etc “old school,” for simple fractures. Not trying to cause trouble here, but just passing this along! I was fitted yesterday for orthotic imsets, that will take some of the pressure off the metatarsal, allowing me to walk more without pain and the need for crutches. A good thing! The insets feel very wierd and will take some getting used to, but definitely better than hobbling around on crutches for months. I am guardedly hopeful.
I agree with Em’s lovely statement that our bodies are ancient, and that healing from this injury requires a lot of patience. I’m still working on the patience part! As I guess we all are.
November 18, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Hi all,
Interesting thoughts regarding what is best for bone regeneration. I have to say everyone I know who is even remotely connected with medicine seems to think judicious weightbearing is critical because this is actually Nature’s way of stimulating bone formation.
We are always being told that using weights helps those with osteoporosis – because it stimulates and maintains bone density. Personal trainers will tell you working out with weights will help build bones.
My music school director also broke her foot a few years ago and was advised to get back walking as soon as practicable, which she did and has continued to do ever since. She is now 70 and last year had her bones scanned and she has the density of a 20-year-old which her doctor attributes to her increased walking and other activity since that accident!
The crucial factor is time which is also the most frustrating thing because it is that which we seem to have the least – that’s where we get tested for patience, I guess.
I’m entertaining myself by finally sorting my superannuation and finally finding out about income protection insurance for BOTH of us for which I never had the time or patience before – HA!
I’m also perfecting a lo-carb flourless chocolate cake – will let y’all know the results.
Em
November 18, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Hi All,
Back to the surgeon today which is 12 weeks post op and over 10 months since initial break. Glad to report that I that we now have union and the foot feels pretty good. I am still seeing a physio as my ankles are still pretty stiff and I have a limp but the site of the break is pretty much pain free.
When I first did my foot I did not stop work and I think was partly responsible for it not healing. Unknowningly it put a lot of stress on me as I had a pretty full on job. When it did not heal dragging on for so long I made the decision to give up work and have the surgery. This has allowed me not to have to worry about anything else but my foot. I know not all are as lucky as I that I could stop work but as Laurie mentioned I think this problem was meant to slow me down and take a look at what I was doing.
I did not take any supplement but reduced my caffine intake to only one a day. Did not have any carbonated drinks – not big on them anyway, made sure I was eating lots of veggies and having two serves of calcium a day. I did take calcium suplements for a while but did not like the side-effects.
I think getting phsyio after is very important. I am now back at the gym using the bike and cross trainer at the same time giving swimming a go.
I know at times it feels like it will never heal but it does and boy do I feel fantastic!!!
Meg
November 18, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Hi All, it’s me from Japan again. It has been really encouraging and good to read all the positive thoughts, and to realize that no, I am not the only one on this planet who sees her career and life plans being changed by this. It’s been a bit over a week for me now since the accident, and even though I am still getting into very dark moods and panicking about the possibility of being kicked out of my job, perhaps it is getting easier to think about the situation calmly.
On Friday I got another XRay, as expected no bone growth visible (at least to my eyes… the doctor as usual is not saying anything much), but also no change in the doctor’s opinion on the treatment: still in this light cast with anti-swelling patches to be exchanged twice a day, and hooray, one week of sick leave.
I have enlisted my friends to bring me veggies, fruits, yogurt etc almost daily, yesterday got indian curry from my favorite curryshop (!! boy that cheered me up!) have so far survived without coffee and sugars but some darn lovely friends from my home country sent me a boxful of chocolate…
Is it good or bad to wiggle the toes? I feel like they are growing into each other.. and the ankle is turning into a piece of concrete… so, if there is no pain, would it harm no move the joints even a little bit?
Among the good things – I think I am developing quite some strength in my arms and in the good leg by hopping around on one leg (my house is a prime example of non-accessible building, two sets of windy, steep, slippery stairs to climb between the bedroom, the kitchen and the toilet… so crutches stay parked near the entrance). Started doing again my mat pilates exercises, attached a dynaband to a doorframe, but very much missing any kind of cardio activity. I try to go out every day with the crutches, if nothing else than to go around the block once or twice, but that just does not feel like my usual 5k runs..
Most importantly, I feel I have no more need to complain, cry or whine to my friends about how my bone is broken and my life is in pieces. I also got over my worst fears and scepticism towards the local non-english-speaking doctors by talking on the phone with an ortopedist from back home. It seems that you do not need to be able to discuss things in English to be a competent doctor who knows what is best.
Our bodies are ancient… so true! If only the modern world would understand that also, that not everything can be done in Q1-4 thinking…
All the best and cheers to everyone!
November 19, 2008 at 1:11 am
Hi Everyone, Great to read everyone’s updates on what is and is not working for them. I’m am on week 2 of my Jones # in an aircast NWB. I do have 2 little kids that I take care of so I have had to learn how to adapt while taking care of them.
After coming to this site the first time I was pretty determined to have the surgery, but have calmed down and decided to try the more conservative method for now. After one week there was no healing, but also no displacement. I didn’t have a 2 week x-ray but will have one at three weeks.
I am also taking a multivitamin with extra calcium and drinking lots of milk.
I wear my boot almost all the time except to shower.
I do set the boot down to balance sometimes while I’m standing, but try to keep it elevated most of the time. Although it was good to read that displacement won’t happen easily.
Was there anyone who was weightbaring again after 6 weeks?
My x-rays are here if anyone is interested http://jennandlucas.blogspot.com/2008/11/different-kind-of-picture.html
Jenn
November 19, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Hey Jenn,
At my 4 week appt my ortho suggested trying to walk on it but when I did it still caused a little bit of pain and aching. He said give it another 2 weeks and try again.
Mine is a type 1 and upon hearing it was a jones fx i was also determined to have the surgery but he feels that the bone is in a good position to heal without it. My foot certainly feels like its gaining its strength so hopefully in 2 weeks i’ll be done with the crutches and on my way to walking normally again. I’ll keep you posted on how its going.
November 19, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Hi All,
Lost Fin, wiggle away if you can! I was told to wiggle and I was also told to stay off the foot for as long as I could in the first 1 or 2 weeks and then to try weightbearing bit by bit. Good to hear about your exercise regimen too! Good for you. I’m going to get a massage as well as soon as I can!
I’m a little concerned that so many people are having xray after xray when bone calcification just doesn’t show up on an xray for 3-6 months after a fracture! Is it because these fractures are displaced so your doctors are keeping an eye on wayward bone fragments? Or for those non-displaced fractures having multiple xrays, is it because your orthos are making sure they stay non-displaced??
I went on my own yesterday down to the local cafe, as opposed to just being ferried to and from my teaching, and felt pretty good but then in the evening got these shocks through the fracture area of the foot. My foot has been pretty sore through the night and today which is depressing but my husband reckons it is a sign of healing…..I’m staying off it today.
Thanks for the xrays Jenn – really interesting!
BTW, never made it to the low-carb chocolate cake….turned into low-carb millet/almond/pecan/chocolate chip cookies…don;t ask me how….
Em
November 20, 2008 at 11:22 am
Em,
My doctor is monitoring my fracture with xrays every 2-3 weeks to make sure my fracture hasn’t become displaced. He feels that if it becomes displaced he’ll do the surgery and it’s best to get it as soon as there is any evidence of displacement. For me so far so good, I go back in 3 weeks.
And as for the soreness at night, I’m experiencing the same thing. Sometimes it’s an intense tingling and sometimes borders on a burning sensation but it’s only fleeting so hopefully its a sign of positive things happening down there.
November 20, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Hi Everyone,
I am going back every couple of weeks for xrays do to the mess I made of my foot. It required so much hardware to repair that my doc wants to be sure nothing has moved. He said it was a difficult foot to fix.
Just reporting on what is going on with my foot. I am walking/rolling thru with crutches. My foot does not feel like it belongs to my body. The swelling was almost gone and now has returned with a vengance. The area around the incision and hardware feels tingly all the time.
As far as the foot, I am getting around better using the crutches, air cast and putting a little weight on the foot. I also have permission to move my toes, bend my ankle and move it from side to side as often as I like. Full movement will take a while.
The problem is that every time I step onto my foot I get a sharp pain in my knee. I can’t straighten out my knee without a clicking feeling and sharp pain. Doc feels I may have torn something when I fell originally and has referred me to an ortho. My doc specializes in feet that is why he cannot help with this. By the end of the night my knee is twice it’s size. I have an appointment next week to see what is going on with my new issue.
BAD, I am beginning to feel like I will never be better.
GOOD, even with the pain in my knee and my foot not feeling right, I can get around and do little things I was not able to do before weight bearing. It is nice to be able to put my foot down for balance.
November 21, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Hey all,
Happy to report that after a day of elevation and ice the swelling is down. Tomorrow is my daughters wedding so I already expect it to swell again. I will let you all know on Sunday.
November 22, 2008 at 3:02 am
Margie,
You will get better and it is important that you realise this and get ready for when you are. Think about how much you will love your legs for getting you where you want to go! And how you will never take them for granted again….
While you may have a problem with your knee, it is still a small thing compared with what we might all have suffered. Just think about breaking more than a foot bone and what THAT could mean in our lives – sheesh.
I did a trip through the supermarket today and apart from feeling like a freak and being disconcerted by the people clearly pitying me,I LOVED it. The foot is tired and a bit sore but I can rest it as much as I like and at least those people looking at me sideways got out of my way fast!
I got more weight on the foot today and no big pain or anything so I think one day of trying weight and one of as much as rest as possible might just be right for me.
Best of luck for the wedding! What a special day.
Em
November 22, 2008 at 5:57 am
This is the best forum I have found for this frustrating medical topic. I broke my fifth metatarsal a month ago. Like a lot of women, wearing the wrong shoes and rushing. They were platform sandals with straps that weren’t fastened tight enough. I thought I twisted my ankle at first, it was like I was going to fall, but in fact broke my fall with my own foot. How embarrassing. The pain was horrid! I had to walk to my car and driving hurt like mad (right foot). Walking into my house was worse. I made the mistake of going upstairs where the bathroom is a good walk away and knew something horrible had happened when I thought of actually crawling to stave off the pain! Luckily once I stopped putting weight on it, there is not much pain unless there’s pressure on it, and has been that way for the most part, separate from minor soft pulsating pain).
Next morning I went to urgent care at the general doctor and was told it was broken – fifth metatarsal, I don’t remember if the PA told me Jones or not. I cried like a baby and still feel very depressed about this – the loss of time is beyond psychological, philosophical, emotional, physical…I want to turn this into something good by becoming this super healthy person.
A few days later I went to the orthopaedic doctor, from the referal I was given by the PA. First of all, I have no idea why she sent to me to a doctor 15 miles from where I live. The service has been horrible. Wait 2 hours to be seen, 30 seconds of “God time” with the doctor who doesn’t say too much and then 2 minutes with the obnoxious (I dont know what he is) PA (?). They gave me a cast and told me 6 weeks, no weight. He called it a Jones fracture, but didn’t even point out where it was or what that meant. Neither the initial PA or the doctor showed me my x-rays! I was confused about this. I was able to get a copy of the first x-ray on disc at the general doc after asking…the ortho, being the horrible place that it is (dusty x-ray room and equipment, negligent staff, etc), didn’t have the ability to give me a copy on cd! (Sorry to rant, but this does feel good…it’s been a LONG TIME COMING. No one to talk to about this that understands the complexities and frustrations of this fracture, its limitations and ridiculous medical system).
A good note is, I was lucky to be able to be off work and school (stressful since I am a grad student with some very important classes this semester!). I feel a bit bad though, I would much prefer to be at work and at school. Nevertheless, I do not want to risk further complications. People seem to think crutches are the cure-all…not for me. Crutches and me don’t mix – not for long term transportation. I almost fell down using them and have been scared straight – using this wheely thing my Grandmother never used.
Anyway, my follow up appointment was this week (after 4-5 weeks) and I was told it was healing pretty well and that I could begin placing weight on it – 5 lbs a day till half my body weight, with use of crutches (no can do)… And math and me don’t mix, either. How we can estimate this, seriously?? After the 5 minute appointment (and paying the $25 co-pay), I was scheduled for a follow-up January 9th…confusing for several reasons. A). I was told this could take 4-6 weeks/use of crutches and boot to heal, (snotty PA countered that’s the initial healing phase). B). Being seen in Jan takes me over 2-3 weeks of the 4-6 more weeks with the cast. What I am supposed to do with this overlap of 3 weeks?
It is worth noting that I had to ask the receptionist if I could ask a few more questions since the appointment was so very quick. So I waited for Jr. PA, a complete idiot. He bragged about his ortho adventures, how me made himself walk without crutches (medical malpractice, anyone?) and told me in a sarcastic, rude way “I think you’re thinking way too much about this.” What the hell? I’ve never been so insulted. I am a patient asking necessary information about my physical well-being. I am also a “customer” who pays. He told me they get like 100 patients a day – (the McDonalds of doctors!).
Next day I decide to get a new doctor, though worried if this will incur a lot more charges. I was able to get a friend to pick up the new x-ray for me and have an appointment on Monday. Long story short – if anyone can answer the following questions for me, I will be indebted to your kindness.
1.My boot is huge. I have a small foot, size 5 (sometimes smaller, sometimes larger depending on the shoe). I was given a Medium black boot that goes just below my knee…they didn’t have anything smaller at the time. Two weeks of badgering them to fulfill their promise of getting me on that fits, I get a Small. Which sufficed up until now. How can one “walk” in a boot like this? My heel does not touch the bottom of the boot at all. Should I have been given a different boot or cast all-together? Is it common to use this boot through the duration of healing?
2.I am 31, and shamefully a huge diet cola drinker. I have been cutting down dramatically and will altogether eventually. Half my life really, big consumer of it. Could this be a bone density issue? Because of my age, they won’t do a test, but wondering if this has been suggested to any of you. I was more than surprised how easy this broke!!!
3.The incremental weight-bearing thing – how is this figured out?
4.How has your work and/or school treated you with time off? I really want to go back, just scared of hurting it again and delaying healing. Crutches are useless to me.
5.I always have my foot elevated, meaning, not touching the ground. I can’t be in bed all day, so sitting up, it’s elevated but not “above the heart.” Same for sleep, I can elevate it above the heart with pillows or sleeping with it propped up on the sofa, but eventually go to my desired sleep position – on the stomach and no elevation. And when I see my boyfriend, it’s hard for me not to spoon up next to him – my healing leg is always away, but wondering…Is all this, or any of this, bad for healing?
6.I am a huge fan of cracking knuckles – hands and feet. I haven’t done this once with my healing foot. Can I pop my big toe at least? Circle my ankle a bit?
7.Are there any exercises we can do at all???
8.What should I ask the new doctor? (in addition to many of the afore-listed questions, that is)?
Thanks for this forum and everyone who posted. I hope I can get some answers and look forward to, like the rest of you, returning to a normal life very soon. This is a life changing event, no doubt. There are moments of deep depression, but I plan to try to continue to make the best of it by never leaving what I can do today for another day. I had always wanted to begin jogging, then this happened. Makes you think.
Best,
Diane
November 22, 2008 at 7:17 am
After reading ALL these posts – two more questions:
1. How much weight did all of you gain? Or none at all? Were you conscious of diet and did you do any special exercises minding your injury? I read about some swimming and can’t figure out how that’s possible…
2. Moving toes and ankles – yea or nea?
Thanks!
Diane 2.0
November 22, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Diane, thanks so much for sharing!! I’m 31 as well — a single mom with a 10 year old daughter, and live alone the other half the time. I had so many similar questions, and 10 weeks in with no healing, I have a hard time being content with not knowing when I will finally be able to walk again. I’ll throw my personal experience at the questions I can identify best with. :) (Forgive me, all… this sort of turned into a rant.)
DOCTORS: My first doctor, my GP, saw me for 6 weeks before referring me to an Ortho — which is when I was finally told I had a Jones fracture and literally asked why I wasn’t ever casted. The new Ortho has a wonderful PA, but seems very short with me and in a hurry. I feel you on this, definitely. My whole life is upside down, and it’s so frustrating when I have so many unanswered questions. Over 10 weeks now, I’ve been ever-so-careful and am still sitting here with a foot just as broken as it was back in September. I’ve decided if he won’t actually sit and talk with me at my appointment next Tuesday, I’m switching doctors. Do I really want this man doing surgery on my body?
CRUTCHES, BOOTS, CASTS: I went the first 7 weeks with only crutches — no cast, no boot. (I have to keep a sound mind because I get upset about this.) When I finally got the boot, I wondered the same things. My heel would never sit flat and I was afraid by moving around, it was defeating the purpose entirely. I’m not supposed to put weight on mine yet, so I’m not sure about walking in it. I started stepping and rolling through like someone suggested a few weeks ago in the blog, and a lot of my numbness and tingling has actually gone away! (Thanks, guys!)
And Crutches, ha! I’ve fallen on my crutches so many times, I can completely understand how they would scare you. Because I live alone and have a daughter to take care of, I do a lot of hopping. Probably wayyyy to much. :) The most embarrassing thing… I’ll get to hopping around and actually lose my crutches. I’ve been on them so long, I have ugly callouses on my palms and have a lot of numbness in my hands and wrists.
WORK: I’m a city letter carrier for the Postal Service with a 9 mile walking route. Since I didn’t hurt myself on the job, they aren’t required to offer work to me. The first 8 weeks, I used what annual and sick leave I had saved and stayed home. I was finally released to go back but can only sit on a stool and case mail, and have to leave when there is nothing left to do. After about an hour of sitting on the stool, my foot starts to swell something fierce… so I’ve started taking my boot off after a few hours to lessen the pull of gravity while my foot is dangling from the stool. There is no way for me to prop my foot up at work — at all. Anyway, they’ve been very rude to me… but I hope it’s simply the nature of the company I work for. My bosses treat me like I’m a child who is in trouble and being punished. I’m trying to stretch out what leave time I have left by working at least 4 hours a day, but I wonder at what cost to the healing of my foot. I wasn’t financially prepared at all for this, so I don’t really have a choice. This has been a huge lesson to me in saving and planning ahead.
WEIGHT GAIN: For me personally, it has been less about weight gain and more about muscle loss. I walk for a living and my hobbies are hiking and whitewater kayaking. The muscles in my right leg have completely atrophied from being sedentary, not going to the gym, and from not carrying my mail route every day. I haven’t paddled since early September and my upper body has also very noticeably lost muscle tone. People have commented that I look like I’m losing weight, but it saddens me because I know it’s really muscle. I’ve probably put on a few pounds around the middle, but all of my clothes still fit just fine. It just makes me more anxious to get back to my regular day-to-day life so it’ll go away. :)
I’m really excited to hear about people’s plans to exercise through the injury and I wish I’d though of that much, much sooner!!
Since we’re all sort of getting to know each other here, I figured why not post a pictures of myself and make this a little more personal:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k310/asch1977/CamBoot.jpg
Thanks again so much everyone for your posts, updates and taking the time to share and make us all feel comfortable. We’ve almost turned this into a social networking site. :)
God Bless,
Ginger
November 23, 2008 at 10:16 am
First Question: Is your name Bella or Diane?
And yes I’ve found that a majority of doctors are very condescending, and probably dont want their patients interfering or questioning their treatment. But we have the right to ask so keep pressing him with questions.
But really we cant give you too much advice because each jones fracture may be classified differently and each classification has its own prognosis and method of treatment. But since you were only given a cast and have been cleared to begin weight bearing we can assume that its probably a Type I, so I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing.
I have also been given permission to begin light weight bearing but I can tell you its hard to determine how much is just enough. I went a little to heavy for the first day and it resulted in intense pain all that night and a majority of the next day. It was probably due more to the weakness of the metatarsophalangeal joint than the fracture itself but I wont be doing that again. So I got in touch with a friend of mine who is a PT and he was surprised that I wasnt given PT before I was allowed to weight bear and suggested a few exercises to strengthen the muscles and joints before putting a lot of pressure on them. Here’s what he said I could do at home. Thera band calf presses, Seated calf raises, Ankle rotation exercises, and a recumbent bike if I had access to one. He said I should use discomfort as a guide and never let it get to the point of pain. And he said this will give me a better feeling of my limitations without putting myself at risk of reinjury, in case I put too much weight on it. He also said keep wiggling the toes to avoid atrophy and to help increase circulation. Hope this helps a little.
And yeah I’ve put on just over 10 pounds that I can’t wait to run off as soon as I can.
November 23, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Hi Chris, I’m unecessarily (?) paranoid my supervisor will think I should be at work and not researching this stuff from home…My workplace is not too worker friendly. I guess it’s silly to have a internet pseudonym (Diane)…it’s Isabel (bella). :)
Honestly, it’s hard for me to trust what the doctor/staff says. The rude guy told me that get over a 100 patients a day. In a office open 8-5, and not accounting for lunch, I think that’s like under 5 minutes per patient. I’m going to see another doctor tomorrow. I wasn’t told what kind of fracture I have as in type 1, etc. and my x-ray never even pointed out where the fracture is, etc. I took some pics of my x-rays (1st one and one from last week) that I’ll post on flickr if anyone’s interested and/or can clarify from seeing it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67997958@N00/
The fracture is on my right foot and I’m guessing its the little gap/cut before the ankle?
About PT, have never been told anything, which isn’t surprising. I did notice after applying weight to my foot that it hurt the rest of the day, and seeing how it was only 4-5 weeks after the fracture and everyone else mentions PT at around 8-10, I think it may be too soon. But will learn more tomorrow.
Anyone have a problem walking in the cam walker? It has a pretty high heel! If I wear sneakers on the good foot I’ll be lopsided…any advice for this?
As per weight…how did you weigh yourself? I’m petite so any weight is too much for me…I feel like I have as well and boy is that depressing. I plan to run it off ASAP as well and incorporate running into the rest of my life as well…after losing the ability to walk…and given a second chance through healing…I think it’s normal to just want to run!!! : )
Isabel
November 23, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Hi Bella/Diane,
When reading your story I was thinking how fast I would have been out of that docs office and into another. You have to feel good about who is overseeing your healing.
My doc lets me ask as many questions as I like and he is so informative that there is not a lot for me to ask. I have had many sets of xrays and my doc shows me each and explains what is going on.
I would not crack anything in you foot. That does not sound like something good to do.
I got hurt on Labor Day weekend and got permission last week to move my toes and do ankle rolls, and lift and point my foot as Chris stated. I am not in PT yet, but he said this will help circulation and stiffness.
There is not way to determine how much weight you are actually putting on the foot. I was told to start to put 1/4 to 1/2 my weight and to conintue with the crutches.
You need to ask your doc about what you will be able to do and follow what they say.
As for weight, I knew sitting around was going to be tough on the weight issue. I watch very careful what I eat limiting my carb intake. I actually lost 6 pounds which was nice. I guess not being at work and picking on all that is brought in is a positive.
As for as work, my boss and company I work for can’t wait for me to get back, but to do so once healed even though I have a sit down job as a client service rep.
They only time I had my foot above my heart was when I was laying down. When sitting in my chair watching tv I propped it up on two pillows.
Chris,
I have been doing the calf raises which is helping me to bend my toes without putting any weight on them. It felt weird at first to bend them but it is getting easier.
Same with the ankle circles, stiff at first but moving better now. I have been hanging my foot off the hassack and writing the alphabet with my foot. This has helped to give me more range of movement.
November 23, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Hi All,
When I fist got out of the cast into a boot I could not even put my foot flush with the sole of the shoe. I used my crutches for a full two weeks with the boot with about 50% WB. I had PT as soon as the hard cast came off and he got walking in a hydrotherapy pool in water up to my shoulders, this was really good as it got the ankle moving and was nice to walk unaided.
The PT also got me to do stretches and rotating the ankle. The PT also strapped my foot as I have a tendency to walk on the outside of my foot, this helped greatly with shifting the load of weight through my foot and alleviated any pain or discomfort through the site of my surgery. From this point on I was confident with walking without crutches.
The only issue I have now is a bit of pain through my ankle but visited a podiatrist last week to get advice on shoes. Comming into summer I wanted to get out of runners but its not to be with them recommending a running shoe to help with cushioning and stability.
I did put on weight, approx 4kg but am glad to say its comming off pretty quickly now Im back at the gym. I am only doing the bike, cross trainer and weights for about 30-60 mins a time. Have also done some swimming and found this really helped free up my ankle.
November 23, 2008 at 11:52 pm
It’s so weird, I don’t see my newest post here yet??
Chris: It does sound like I have a type 1 fracture from what you described and what I read…How many weeks into the healing before you were asked to try the walking with weight increments? Looking forward to PT…my toes are numb and don’t want to move them till I get the go-ahead,hopefully tomorrow.
Margie: What did you eat generally for your diet? Would love to know! My job sounds like yours too. Were you off (or are you still off) the duration of the healing? How long did it last?
Meg: Have you been given any shoe recs? I’m thinking Dansko, they get good reviews…their clogs and they have some nice sandals too…3 inch heels a bad idea if they’re comfort shoes?
thanks all
Isabel
November 24, 2008 at 12:21 am
Wow, lots of information coming in and lots of questions which is good!
Diane, your experience with snotty medicos is NOT unusual at all. You have to be prepared to remind these people that it is your money that pays their wages and that they are obliged to offer you decent customer service as well as basic courtesy!
It sounds as if you’ve had a lousy start so you have to concentrate on getting a good finish! Your xrays should be your property so get ‘em and keep ‘em (where do you live??).
1. When I was fitted for my boot,the physio made sure my foot was at the proper right angle so that my ankle rested flush with the back of the boot and the foot rested properly along the sole. It does, however, slide around a bit because I have high arches and my foot is inclined to lift. I was told it would be better to put my foot in a right angle becauser it would have less trouble getting back into flexibility this way. Your heel should be touching the bottom of the boot, I think.
If your fracture is non-displaced you should be able to take your foot out and reposition it yourself otherwise, get a good physio to do it for you.
2. Diet cola doesn’t have sugar (which is regarded by the body as a toxin and known by nutritionists to be a “thief”, meaning it takes nutrition AWAY from the body while adding NOTHING of value) but sodas have been implicated in some studies to interfere with calcium absorption and I was advised not to drink them. This fracture is surprisingly easy to incur so it may have nothing to do with your bone density.
3. Getting to grips with crutches is pretty crucial! You should have been taught how to walk in them but clearly your medical attention has been woeful (you have my great sympathy!). There is a protocol for handling them and it isn’t easy but you will need them to accurately gauge your ability to weight bear and be able to manage weight levels without jarring your foot and risking further injury. I avoided the crutches for a week because it was just so scary using them (I live up 23 stairs!) but made myself practise and after 3 weeks I am able to practice putting some weight through the foot using them.
Yes, the boot seems unwieldy but with crutches you can actually roll through the foot in a walking motion which is why using the crutches is so useful.
My ortho (also pretty snotty) told me to start trying to walk as soon as possible and to “move through the pain” which I think is ridiculous (here in Australia, we have a very hardy attitude!) BUT I also know weightbearing encourages bone formation so I decided to have as much rest as possible for two full weeks and then begin a little weightbearing/rolling through the foot this third week. So far so good, not too much pain and I’m not pushing anything.
4. I work for myself and am contracted to tutor at a private music school. I cancelled lessons for the first week and went back to work the second week (three evenings a week and Saturday mornings) but I can teach while seated so no real big deal although not great for my back. Again, crutches essential to get there and back. It is surprising how fast I am getting on them now! Ask for help, as much as you need. I am amazed how hard that can be and am aware this is one of the lessons I am taking from this experience – you also find out who your real friends are!
5. Sleeping is hard! I cannot sleep on my back but tried very hard the first 2 weeks to do that. This week I have given up the pillows and gone back to sleeping on my side. I don’t believe it will affect healing at all but find I wake up and have to turn to the other side and I watch out that the boot doesn’t feel ‘twisted’ at all.
I do notice that if I am on the side which rests the broken side down first, I feel it more. I sometimes put a pillow between my knees for better leverage because it keeps my back from twisting.
Seated, I try to keep the foot up but I don’t get obsessive about it.
6. I would not be cracking anything in an injured foot! Rest is crucial and I wouldn’t be pulling your ankle around until you are out of the boot or until your ortho/physio says it is ready. It is very likely you’ve also done some ligament damage
and while physios like you to get ankles moving asap with tendon/ligament damage, the first priority is bone healing and you do not want to displace the fracture.
7. I’m doing upper body work only.
8. Ask the new doctor if it is a true Jones Fracture (it may be a little too high on the bone to be properly Jones) and if it is displaced – this has a huge bearing on your treatment because a true Jones is typically at the end of the metatarsal where almost no circulation can occur making healing extremely difficult and surgery (insertion of a pin) or the use of a bone stimulator might be a better option. I am a fan of conservative healing myself but my fracture is not a true Jones (fractionaly too high) and is not displaced so a good candidate for natural healing.
Ask him all the questions you have asked here!
Move your toes? Yes, yes, yes! You need to keep circulation up.
Weight gain? I lost weight in the first week, put on in the second and as a result have gone low-carb now to help stave off any more gain.
Look, you do have to accept this isn’t going to be a short situation. It is life-changing and that cannot be helped. I was a five-day a week gym bunny running and sprinting….you can imagine how difficult this is for me too.
It is really important you accept the reality of the situation and look for ways to work with it and maximise your healing, than to work against it and end up weak and frustrated – that won’t get you anywhere. Use this forum to vent, get support and search for solutions!
Cheers,
Em
November 24, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Wow, thank you Em for answering all my questions! I really appreciate. Just got back from the new doctor – nice facilities and overall a better doctor – but rude and condenscending too! What is up with doctors today? Not only that, but I had to pay extra for some work forms to be filled out! Healthcare in America. :(
He didn’t seem to even know much about Jones fractures, dancing around the term like “If you say its a Jones Fracture it won’t heal” (what does that mean?!). He did call it a Zone 2 Fracture with no displacement.
He said I could begin weight bearing (not even mentioning the increments or use of crutches) and walking a bit in my boot until it hurts and said I could swim and use a stationary bike with special Rx shoes (of course he forgot to give me the Rx!). Has anyone just been given the green light even while the current x-ray still shows the break? Do you just start walking until it hurts and go on with life as if it’s pretty much healed?
He said I wouldn’t need physical therapy – although he did not address the issue at all during the appointment. I had to ask a nurse and she asked him. Could this be right??
He said healing takes different times for everyone. He didn’t tell me how much mine had healed. Shouldn’t he be able to?? He said I could move my toes and ankle. That’s good.
I just can’t get over how he couldn’t tell me if it was a jones fracture, or how he snapped at me for reviewing what we had gone through by saying “I went over that two times already.” What the hell? I’d like to give HIM a referal to anger management and personality classes for working with the public! Going to bad doctors makes me seem like a perpetual complainer, but I assure you it’s just bad luck and not wanting to be talked down to and misinformed. Anyway, I feel a smidge better, but still lost.
For my next appointment, scheduled for four weeks from now, would it be ridiculous of me to go to yet another doctor? My insurance assured me I wouldn’t be charged differently or more, just be responsible for the co-pays and any fees charged during the appointment.
Thanks everyone for your advice!
Isabel
November 24, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Yeah, I posted a reply two days ago and it still hasn’t shown up on the board yet. :)
November 24, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Wow, Isabel, firstly did you see a doctor or an orthopaedic surgeon? Any ortho would be able to tell you not only if it was a Jones Fracture but what grade while a doctor wouldn’t neccesarily…
What is critical about this is that only an ortho can determine if surgery is a better option but then again you say the fracture is clean and not displaced which makes you a better candidate for conventional healing.
Having said that, a Jones puts you in the minority for good healing and that is where things can get tricky because there is just not enough circulation to promote effective healing and that is where bone stimulators can make a crucial difference.
Ugh, snotty doctors just make me furious. No-one is more motivated to heal than a patient so why on earth do they behave as if they are the living end of health?
They also hate you if you are not paying a full fee, as if you don’t already pay your taxes and are absolutely entitled to their service! Many doctors are just bullies and with bullies the best thing is to be sharp and upfront with them. Tell them you intend to be as informed and responsible as possible for your own healing.
When my doctor snorted at my question about the usefulness of diet and supplements, I replied that I found his comment about being more worried about whether I smoked to be incredibly curious given that he was suggesting ingesting a toxin is harmful and yet ingesting good food cannot help! When he realised I was telling him I found his logic faulty, he backed off bigtime.
As regards healing, bone calcification won’t always show up on an x-ray for 3-6 months after a break so how much you’ve healed can only really be determined by how you feel ie how much weight you can bear and what sort of pain you are feeling. That is why a doctor cannot tell at what stage your healing is. That and the fact that bones take weeks if not months to heal anyway so you are in for the long haul – period.
Yes, some of us have been told to get walking while the fracture has clearly not healed and that is because weightbearing promotes calcification of bone. Again, you have to monitor your own pain level. Having said that, I gave myself 2 1/2 weeks of as much rest as possible before trying any weight on the boot.
This is what is soooo difficult, really, because pain is different for everyone and being in tune with your own healing requires you to focus hard on your own body – then again, you’ve got a lot of down time so if you were ever going to achieve this, this IS the time!
For me, any sharp pain is to be avoided while I expect to have an ache, prickly sensation etc. Also watch out for swelling which is a big indicator to back off and rest.
I have always been very healthy and paid great attention to my body and what I am feeling, after almost three weeks, is that healing is definately taking place because I WANT to put more weight down, I am getting those sensations, my swelling is gone and the colour of my foot is good, it doesn’t hurt to touch the break area and I want to wiggle things more.
What I have to watch is not pushing things, making real time for rest because I am lousy at relaxing. So I have decided to structure things properly – for everything I have to get done (whether it is meals, dishes, internet time), I get it done in a block and then make sure I rest through an entire episode or two of ‘The X-Files’ with my foot up!
As your break is not displaced, your advice sounds correct – begin trying some weightbearing immdeiately and back off when the pain becomes too much. Me, I am quite the wuss so I don’t push it and rely on my crutches to be able to vary the weight.
If you feel like seeing someone new, make sure that person is actually an ortho and preferably someone who is a foot specialist. You’ll only be even better informed by then so another opinion might be very good.
My ortho also felt a Physio wouldn’t be neccesary and I disagree strongly. Any accident such as this will have also disrupted surrounding tendons and ligaments and physiotherapy is incredibly helpful in getting those things back in shape uickly rather than relying on just walking to restore good function. Just a few sessions with a good physio enabled me to repair a Grade 2 tear to my other ankle in half the expected time! And thank God I did because this is the ankle now doing double duty because of the fracture on the other foot!
Good luck.
Em
November 24, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Thanks Em. Wow, sorry about your other foot! Hope you’re doing better.
The website says he’s board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, but his card only says MD. My other doctor has a M.D., P.A. (same thing I suppose)? I looked up Zone 2 and it said “Zone 2: Fracture of the proximal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction, also called a Jones fracture. Results from adduction or inversion of the forefoot.” So it IS a Jones, then, right?
Since they didn’t give me an Rx for PT, I assume I just try putting weight nevertheless? Did you make your doctor give you a referral after he or she initially said you didn’t need one? Should I do the same? Since he said I could swim (how do you get in a pool???) or do the stationary, could that be considered PT?
And primary question at this point…how soon will I be able to walk with the boot without crutches or assistance? How long did it take all of you? And by extension, how long did it take all of you to take that horrible boot off and begin walking again as normal?
thanks, Isabel
November 25, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I just got back from my appointment…. it’s been nearly 11 weeks since my initial fracture. (I spent 6 weeks in a “wooden shoe”, was referred to a specialist, and then put in a Cam Boot 4 weeks ago.) My x-rays again showed complete non-union. Another 4 weeks in the boot and on crutches, completely non-weight bearing.
Here is my question. My insurance wouldn’t pay for the bone stimulator until 90 days in, which is in December, and the doctor still wants me start using it after my next appointment. I met an orthopedic PA at a friend’s house who talked about how they can go in and scrape the surface of your bones and secure them together with a plate to stimulate healing. I was wondering if the bone stimulator was the non-evasive way of doing the same thing??
I’ve read about how if your fracture separates too far, using a bone stimulator will not work. I wonder if he’s intent on keeping me non-wb to make sure my bones don’t separate any further apart than they already have??
He knows my active lifestyle and I’ve read stories that scare me about surgery and screw placement. I’m a walking city letter carrier, and my hobbies are hiking, running, and whitewater kayaking. I’ve had to fight really hard to keep a good attitude after 11 weeks on crutches — the callouses on my palms have actually started to crack and bleed.
I know the doctor is doing everything he can to avoid surgery, and I appreciate that…. but everybody here is familiar with how having a broken foot completely turns your life upside-down. Just knowing I can’t even start treatment with the bone stimulator until 2009 is so disheartening. I’m a single parent, and I know my daughter is just as anxious to get this over with as I am.
I hope everyone is doing well!
God Bless! :)
-Ginger
November 25, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Asking this because I plan to go back to work soon, but so worried about hurting myself again. I’ve tried some weight bearing and it is indeed painful. How long was everyone off work?
Thanks,
Isabel
November 25, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Isabel,
I work in academia as well. Being in grad school is perhaps the best moment for you to have this – as it is quite likely you can benefit from the possibility of reading and thinking carefully of what you do. If you have laboratory etc. work that will have to wait as it can be dangerous for you.
I was going crazy with numb toes after 2 weeks, but then I started massaging them twice a day, taking care not to move them laterally. I’m now in my third week of inactivity, and was shocked to notice that the calf of the injured leg has clearly started to wither away – it’s clearly thinner than the strong leg!
I also hated the crutches in the beginning – I have a pretty long walk from the train station to my home, and on the first day coming home. I really thought I would not make it! But you can not give up. I started going out every night, dragged by my BF, just to go around our block (it’s small). No matter how slow, taking 5 “steps” at a time and then resting somewhere.. and slowly I learned.
It is a sport where technique matters. In the end, you should have your center of mass moving forward smoothly, as horizontally as possible (no bouncing up and down), and time the placement of crutches on the ground so that they will not stop your momentum. It is a pain to learn – but think of the strong upper arms you will gain! (At least I am thinking of spring and sleeveless shirts!)
And you should not think that the bone broke because they were unusually weak – I have always drank a lot of milk and in a recent bone density measurement went off the scale (into the good direction), and still the bone broke very easily.
So, just take it slow. I have started to feel that for me this was a good thing, I was going off into several directions at once and stressed out to the max as the accident occurred. (I need to secure my next position and funding for that.) Now I’ve re-evaluated my options, discussed with many people (I would not have had time for this if I kept on flying high), and even though I am still hanging in the air as for the next career movement, I think I have much clearer image of the situation.
So, do not rush. First of all you want to have a strong and good foot to walk on for the rest of your life. My fracture is not a real Jones fracture, it is not displaced and so one of the best to have, and my doctor is talking about recovery times (no crutches) total of 8 weeks. I’m not expecting to be walking without limping for quite some time after that, but I’ll be just happy to be able to move around while carrying things in my hands – which will get me back into my lab work :)
November 26, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Isabel, yes I went back to the doctor and had to ask him why he had not referred me immediately to an orthopaedic surgeon which makes me mad because that is HIS job. I just hate it when doctors don’t give you a full explanation and diagnosis and reasons for why they consider a certain healing path or why other options are not being considered or recommended.
YOU are the injured person and the one who has to heal, they are just the consultants and you are paying them one way or another, whether directly or through taxes.
Gone are the days when doctors were Gods – we know they can’t know everything and that’s fine. People should be in charge of their own healing anyway!
My exciting news is that after just three weeks I am walking in the boot – not for long and not with full weight but without crutches and without producing much pain! YAAAY!
I’m therefore looking forward to being off the crutches within the 6 weeks and into some physio rehab earlier if I can manage it. I’m seeing my own doctor today.
I would say my fast recovery is due to staying right off the foot for as long as I could (2 1/2 weeks non weight bearing), keeping it up at rest, and taking the supplements I have.
I know for a fact that colloidal silica is one of the best things for connective tissue and I think that is why I’m not feeling too stiff and sore through the ankle too – silica definately helped me heal my other ankle in half the time expected.
I’ve also been taking Bromelain (a natural anti-inflammatory derived from pineapple hich you can get from eating it fresh), a Calcium preparation specially for osteoporosis (with Boron and Vit D for bone formation), Vit C and Magnesium.
Will let y’all know what my doctor thinks later!
Em
November 28, 2008 at 12:05 am
Just wanted to keep following up with my progress.
Had a three week x-ray doesn’t show any regrowth. But as it has been mentioned before you don’t see bone regrowth on an x-ray for weeks after it happens. But the radiograph shows it is not displaced.
The good news is when the doctor poked at the fracture there was no pain, so that is good because she expected it to be quite painful.
She still recommended I not weight bear for the full 6 weeks. Which is fine with me, even though lots of people on this board have started weight bear before the 6 weeks. So we’ll see how that goes….
One other thing she mentioned that may be of interest to people recovering is that Advil may be harmful for preliminary bone regrowth, so maybe use tylenol for pain killers.
The x-rays are here:
http://jennandlucas.blogspot.com/2008/11/different-kind-of-picture-week-3.html
Jenn
November 28, 2008 at 9:41 am
Ginger, you’re in a tough spot, with a job that involves so much walking. If you are under financial pressure to get back to work, that may effect your treatments decisions. (Any possibility you can be transferred to a desk job, temporarily?) But I also share the strong feeling that a more conservative, non surgical approach is a better option the long run – with the emphasis is on the “long”. You have to be both able and willing to make the time for the healing.
My break happened five months ago. I got onto a bone stimulator a month ago. The good news is that it is covered 100% by insurance, at least with Anthem. I also just got orthotic insets, that take the weight off the metatarsal, and got me off crutches and walking much more. You might ask your doc about that. If I’m on my feet all day, the broken one starts to get sore and I’m back on the crutches in the evening, but it was a HUGE relief to get off the crutches. I know all about those callouses. I was even gettting a lot of numbness in my hands and fingers.
I will be getting more xrays in early January. If there is no evidence of serious healing by then – 6 months in – then I’ll probably head to the operating room. But being able to walk more has made it all a lot more bearable – for me and my family!
Laurie
November 28, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Laurie – I’m sorry to hear your injury is not healing quickly, but intriqued by the orthotic inserts you were given – what are they called? Is this something you can only use after you go through the initial 6 weeks, then I would presuppose the 4-6 weeks with slight weight bearing with the cam walker boot?
Congrats Em on the improvements! Very exciting, happy news for all of us to hear! Truly, few people understand what this is like, so this is a great little community and nice that we can all cheer eachother on and share information like this.
That being said, how did you get your doctor to give you the referral for PT? Because I did ask after he didn’t, and the nurse or assistant said “He didn’t think it’s necessary.” Like, ok…Hmm…Swimming ok, staionary bike ok (they told me there’s no RX shoe for that, btw). Could this be a form of PT? Should I demand PT? And what generally is the duration of PT time, and the exercises completed. Is this there something I could do right now myself?
I have been putting more weight on my foot this weekend, and even massaging the foot to get the blood flowing. After a month of bad info – it was getting atrophied (sp), which I credit with causing some of the pain when I put weight on it. After massaging it (separate from the broken area, that is), it seems to be helping.
Planning to go back to work soon…would still like to know how long everyone was off work for comparisons sake…
Cheers,
Isabel : )
November 29, 2008 at 1:37 am
Hey Isabel,
I got the referral from the doctor for the ortho, not for the Physical Therapist (physiotherapist).
Here in Australia you don’t need a referral for a physio from a doctor. There are loads of sports injury clinics around where you can just make an appointment and see a Physio. I don’t understand why you would need a doctor’s referral unless you are wanting to see one on a government health system and need one?
My ortho also said there was no need for a PT and recommended loads of walking but I know from prior experience of rolling my other ankle which resulted in a Grade Two ligament tear, that I’ve likely done some tendon/ligament damage with this injury as well and it takes specific exercises to recover and strengthen the area. That is why I’m just going to see my physio privately when the boot comes off.
I don’t swim so I can’t comment on that but my physio did have me doing some light stationary bike riding when we were healing the other ankle.
I think the value of having PT is having them examine your ankle/foot properly to assess any damage and healing, check the stuts of your ligaments after being in a cast/boot for weeks, and show you the most effective exercises to get things in good shape.
Incidently, I had some pain after walking without crutches on Thursday but good rest on Friday has meant no pain today and again I’ve done some walking in the boot without crutches – YAY YAY YAY!.
The area around the break is still slightly swollen so I’m going to start icing it after walking and before I put it back in the boot to rest it. I’ve also massaged my calf and ankle plus lightly around the rest of the foot. I don’t like that numb feeling after I’ve had the foot up a long time – I don’t trust it as being a good thing at all. I also lay my hands on the foot to give it some Reiki healing.
Cheers,
Em
November 29, 2008 at 1:52 am
Isabel – when did you break your foot?
I have just completed my PT and this is what the PT had me doing. I had a lot of muscle wastage with quite a bit of ankle soreness and weakness resulting from six weeks of hard cast. I had to wear the cam walker for another 2.5 weeks.
Week 1/ Moving my ankle back/forth and in circles. Also gave me two rubber bands, one placed on the sole of my foot just under my toes while moving foot back and forth. 2nd band was tied to something that would not move and placed on the top of my foot again moving back and forth.
He also recommended walking in a hydrotherapy pool in shoulder height water. Most Hydro pools will have a ramp or some contraption to get you in/out of the water.
Week 2/ – all of the above plus knee to wall excercises, to begin with I could only have my foot less than 1cm from wall and bending my knee forward touch the wall. When I went back last week I can now do 8.5cm. I had surgery so my initial problem was the pulling on the site of the break, the muscles on the inner ankle also gave me some pain. Back to gym on bike.
Week 3 /All of the above plus calf raises and balancing on my bad leg. Can use the cross trainer at gym.
Week 5 / Pretty much okay but now doing calf raises on steps, I am doing this on two legs but with aim to strengthen my bad foot and then only use this foot.
Each week the PT would give the muscles in my calfs and ankle a full on massage, last week was quite painful. He also worked on freeing up my ankle and strapped my foot to help take the load off the outside of that foot which was very helpful.
With regard to work I only took two days off and then walking around with a cam walker. I should have got the hard cast and had six weeks off. When I eventually the Sx I quit my job to ensure I could fully focus on recovery. My ortho told me that his immediate action for this type of injury is a hard cast for six week completely NWB.
Part of the reason this break is so difficult to heal is that the tendon connected to the bone pulls the bone back each time you walk. This coupled with the bad circulation is the reason for slow healing. So if you have consistent pain after walking for a couple of weeks then I would be heading back to the doctor.
With regard to footwear my podiatrist recommended that I continue to wear running shoes because of the ankle support and with neutral cushioning. I ended up buying Asic Nimbus. They also gave me the okay to wear a pair of fairly flat boots which have a slight heal lift built in.
This fracture is so annoying but I think patience is the way to go – something I learnt the hard way.
Meg
November 29, 2008 at 4:47 am
Laurie:
Thank you so much for sharing… your words are very encouraging! :) It gets so easy sometimes for me to feel isolated as each set of x-rays shows ‘no progress’ and time slowly just slips by. It gives me such peace just to know I’m not walking alone in this lesson in humility and patience — and that there is still hope for healing this late in the game. I’m pulling for you that there is progress at your next appointment!
Also, thank you for the suggestion about the inserts — I will be sure to ask my doctor about them in 4 weeks when he orders the stimulator. I’m so glad you’re walking! It must be wonderful to have that freedom back again! :)
I’ve been back at work in the mornings for about 2 weeks now — I’m allowed to sit on a stool and case mail for around 4 hours each morning. I think I’ll be able to stretch out what leave I have left through the end of the year, and then I’ll have a fresh 4 weeks to draw from. Because my injury didn’t happen at work, they aren’t required to let me work at all. So I’ve been trying to remain grateful for the few hours I’m able to get.
Ginger :)
November 30, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Isabel, what I have is called custom orthotic insoles. They are basically pieces of hard foam molded to the contours of my foot, with a soft plastic layer on top. You put them into your shoes, like Dr. Scholls. My doctor recommended/prescribed them, and the physical therapist examined and measured my foot and made them. The section under the arch is padded 1/4″ higher than normal, with the effect of taking some of the pressure off the side of the foot when you walk. It feels weird at first, very lumpy, but you get used to it. You wear them on both sides so you don’t get “lopsided.” I do seem to be able walk longer in them, before the soreness sets in.
Might be worth asking about!
Laurie
December 1, 2008 at 2:52 am
Thanks Laurie, I will ask at my follow-up appointment.
I’ve been trying to do a bit of walking with the boot and my foot is aching. How can I be sure I am not damaging the injury? I’ll be doing this several times a day along with a bit of the exercises explained by Meg…just a little upset that it’s starting to hurt. PLUS, I can only really walk with this boot-cast if I’m holding onto this wheely-thing. If I maintain what I’m doing but never fully begin walking with the boot-cast, will this negatively affect healing or will I continue to heal until I can walk on my own two feet again, with any pair of normal shoes?
Confused about this…
Thanks,
Isabel
December 1, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Isabel, my foot is aching after walking too and while I’m a little worried I am assuming that the ache and throbbing is GOOD rather than bad. That is, that some healing is resulting. It makes sense to me that there would be ache while healing takes place, somehow…..
I’m alternating walking without the crutches with walking with them. I have no choice because my left hand is now in a brace due to the pressure of the crutch (I suffer from RSI and am disabled in both wrists! Lucky, eh?!).
I’m getting a second x-ray on Thursday because my own doctor (who only saw the original x-rays last week) told me I had actually broke the bone in THREE places – I wasn’t told that!! I was told I had one clear fracture and two hairline cracks but my doctor is convinced there are three breaks which is a shock.
He was very surprised I had already started walking with 3/4 weight on the foot which is why he has ordered the new x-rays. In the meantime I am alternating walking and resting and will have to see on Thursday what is going on.
I have a big gig on Dec 18 with my girl vocal trio (http://www.thesingingbelles.com)
so I need to be out of the boot and able to do some small dance steps by then!!! HA!
Cheers,
Em
December 1, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Em and Bella,
I have been walking/rolling thru with crutches and air cast for the last two weeks. I was not having really any pain until I started this. I shouldn’t say pain it is an ache. But the whole foot and ankle is achey. I saw the doc today and he now wants me to walk in the air cast for the next two weeks without the crutches.
I got home and tried this, man do I ache now. I will be elevating my foot with ice a little later on tonight. He said he will take another xray in two weeks and if I am doing okay without the crutches he would like to see my in some sort of shoe, he said whatever kind I can get on my foot with comfort. We will talk more about pt once I can get a shoe on, so about another 2-3 weeks before pt. Looks like it will be ‘09 before I get back to work. Well gotta go ice it now, talk soon
December 1, 2008 at 10:43 pm
I twisted my ankle and broke my 5th metatarsal on Nov. 6th. I’ve been told I have a Jones fracture and that no surgery in necessary. I’ve had stress fractures in the same spot in the previous two years. I’m a professional runner so the length of recovery and chance of re-fracture are very important to me.
Here are X-rays of my fracture
http://coldneck.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/574/
Would this be the type of fracture where surgery is a better option?
December 1, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Okay, I have a silly question. Has anyone heard of the IWalkFree hands-free crutch? I’ve been on crutches for 12 weeks this Friday, and won’t even start treatment with the bone stimulator until Jan. 2009. I’ve read that with the bone stimulator, I should expect another 2 more months on crutches at the very minimum if the stimulator works, and even longer if I end up having surgery anyway.
It seems like kind of a radical idea, but after reading blogs of people who’ve used it, I’m just crazy enough to toy with the idea…
Happy Holidays!
Ginger :)
December 2, 2008 at 8:28 am
Ginger,
I have not heard of such a device. I did look it up after reading your entry and it appears to be a great device if you have the ability to put pressure on your knee.
I too have been on crutches for 12 weeks with about 4-6 more to go. However, this is not good for me since in addition to foot surgery I cannot put weight on my foot without getting a sharp pain in my knee, nor can I kneel with that leg.
Considering the amount of time you have with recovery, if you can use your knee without pain, I would try it. Anything that helps with daily acitivities is huge. You will still have the crutches for back up.
Let us now if you try it and how you respond to it.
December 2, 2008 at 8:38 am
Em,
Good luck with the gig. I visited the web site and between the three of you there is quite a list of accomplishments. Don’t push those dance moves to hard, you don’t need a set back and your wrists don’t sound like they need anymore aggrivation. It must feel good to get out and perform. I don’t know which one is you but you all look like you enjoy what you are doing.
December 2, 2008 at 11:32 am
Margie, does your boot’s heel touch the ground? Because mine doesn’t, which is the true impediment to walking with the boot without crutches/assistance. It kinda rocks, it’s very big…wondering if any of you are having this problem and how you work with it? What happens is you remain non-weight bearing the duration of the healing period….do you still heal?
And wondering what usually happens after the 1st six weeks of non-weight bearing, then the 4-6 weeks of still wearing the boot being able to apply a bit of weight (judging how much by pain)…then the next follow up appointment? What should I expect?
I want to start running when I get this off…is that realistic? Not before the end of the year, I imagine.
And, getting depressed about the weight gain. How is everyone dealing with this? If you aren’t gaining, what are you doing?
thanks
Isabel
December 2, 2008 at 11:46 am
Bella,
My boot’s heel does not hit the ground and it is a bit like a rocking chair bottom.
This is meant for you to walk with or without crutches while not moving the entire foot as you would in a normal stride.
You will continue to heal by doing this, but pt will probably be required as you are not moving your ankle. Only your doctor can tell when and how much weight you should use. Running will depend on your recovery and the doc.
I have been walking only since yesturday without crutches and with cast, I had to finally take some anti-inflamatory, I could not take the discomfort any longer.
December 2, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Thanks, Margie. Are you wearing a shoe that balances the cast/boot a bit? I have tried walking without assistance and am having a hard time. A cane helps a bit, but I move as slow as a turtle. The doctor didn’t prescribe PT…wondering if I should just make an appointment myself? Would now be a good time??
December 2, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Bella,
I would check with doc on the pt. Ask him if you will need it and have him give you a prescription for it so your insurance will cover most of it.
I am wearing a sneaker. It does not match the height of the boot. It is a bit difficult to walk but I am getting by.
Having crutches for 12 weeks I welcome the change even though it is hard.
I did consider a cane, but I will keep trying and see what happens.
As far as the weight, I have lost 7 pounds since Labor Day. I just lowered my carbs. And I don’t buy any snacks as it is to easy to sit and eat. If you don’t have it in the house you can’t eat it.