I was nervous about it, but I followed my doctor’s directions to start putting “some weight” on my foot this week. He had said Nov. 4, and I pushed it back slightly just because I was a little scared and felt unready.
Whilst wearing my Aircast, I walked using crutches and instead of letting my broken foot dangle, I actually let it rest on the ground and put weight on it as I stepped. I am still being cautious — I’d estimate I am only putting about 30 percent weight on it — but it was exciting to do this.
It’s small progress, but progress nonetheless. I mostly didn’t feel pain, although I also wasn’t putting much weight down. I did feel small, faint twinges of pain, and I eased off if I felt it, but generally it was pain-free. Having that extra foot, even at 30 percent, did make walking on crutches easier. There’s still a lot of weight on my arms, but I feel more stable. I feel like I look slightly less goofy too, haha.
This may sound odd, but I forgot what it was like to use my microwave and stove top and my sink and navigating through my kitchen on two legs. Up to this point, even if I stood up to do something, I’d sit back down and wheel my way to the other part of the kitchen.
When I first used my wheel chair, everything felt way too high for me. It still does, but I got used to it. But being able to walk around on my feet, everything feels the perfect height. I’m sticking mostly to the wheel chair still until I see the doctor again next weeks, but I can already tell that once I’m walking on two feet again, it’s going to feel really good.
Broken Fifth Metatarsal 
Just read your post about putting weight on your foot – congratulations! That’s good news. Only a small step at a time, but definitely a step in the right direction. You give me hope! Wishing you well, Tracey
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Thank you, Tracey! I still feel a long way from full-weight walking, but I’m trying to see this as a good sign. š
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Hello again Brokenjules. I had my appointment with consultant today. It is now 6 weeks since I broke my 5th metatarsal. My cast was removed & I had an x-Ray which showed it still looks exactly the same as when I broke it. In short, it has still not healed. I had an idea that this would be the case as it still hurts, but not as much as in the beginning when I first broke it. I have been placed back in a cast and consultant wants to see me again in 2 weeks. He said it can take up to 10 weeks to heal in some cases (argghhhh!). He also said that some people (& they don’t know why) experience ‘non-union’. If this happens after allowing a considerable length of time for ‘natural’ healing, then surgery WILL have to take place. He said this is done in either 2 ways: a bone graft taking bone from my hip or a screw put in to help the bone to merge together and heal properly. However, after saying all that he said I should heal but that it will probably take a longer time than usual. He asked about my diet and if I smoked. I do not smoke, rarely drink and being a coeliac eat relatively healthy as my tummy cannot tolerate ‘junk’ food as it makes me ill.
On a separate note, I have hired a wheelchair from The British Red Cross but as I have stairs I still also use the crutches. I am just hoping that my foot will heal naturally as I really don’t want surgery. I would be in the cast for at least 12 weeks, nowithstanding the time it has taken already! I hope your progress is going well & you are on the road to a speedy recovery. Best wishes š
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Hi Tracey, thanks for the update. I literally just got back from the doctor and it sounds like we are in a similar boat. I just posted a new blog update, if you want to read it, but my X-ray is the same as well. The difference I suppose is that the doctor I saw is encouraging me to walk on my broken foot in the boot. He did say it can take some people like three months to heal, but god I hope I am not one of those people. He seems to think I should still heal soon, despite the fact that the X-ray shows nothing. I go to the doctor again in another three weeks. I’m at a loss and feeling a bit upset right now. I am going to do what the doctor says and walk, and I’m going to increase my Vitamin D, but other than that I don’t think there’s really anything else I can do. I just have to wait and hope, which is certainly a bit depressing to have so little control here. When do you see the doctor again?
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Hi, I have just read this post after writing another response to your new chronicle (sorry I didn’t get an email & I stupidly didn’t check)! I do feel for you because I feel exactly the same. I kept asking the doctor: “Why isn’t it healing? Why is it taking so long?” He could not answer me. I feel very frustrated about it all as I have not weight borne at all and done everything I possibly can to aid recovery. I imagine this is the case with you too. I was very down when I left the hospital, very upset and angry when I got home. It’s quite depressing but I’m trying to remain positive. It’s a time thing. The 5th metatarsal is notorious for being slow to heal which is why it’s frustrating. My main concern is work. My boss has been letting me do some things from home. I had to break the “news” to her yesterday and she was ok to a degree but reminded me that sick pay was not part of my contract. So you can see where this is heading. I will let you know what my doctor says in 2 weeks but to be honest, right now my gut feeling is there will not be any change – but who knows? A miracle might happen…! Best wishes. TJ. š
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I have read that sometimes healing just kind of shows up on the x-ray all at once. So I wouldn’t necessarily get too discouraged, although I am certainly feeling discouraged. I work from home, so I guess I am lucky. Could you still go to work on crutches? I know it wouldn’t be easy, but if you can’t drive, maybe take Uber/Lyft to work and use elevators. If you have co-workers, they may be willing to help you, i.e. bringing you coffee or whatever. I hope you can hang in there. I’m sure you’re doing everything right, but just make sure you’re getting enough sleep and taking all the proper vitamins. beyond that, not sure what else we can do. I won’t see a doctor again for three weeks but let me know what happens in two with you!
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Hi, yes I have also read that sometimes the healing can take a long time and show at the end. The consultant said it could take up to 10 weeks and sometimes longer (I really hope this isn’t the case). Unfortunately, I can’t go to work on my crutches, for several reasons. My workplace is just under an hour’s drive away and I’m not allowed to drive, especially with my cast on. It is illegal in the UK. If I had an accident the insurance would not cover me and I could even possibly be prosecuted. I work as an administrator in an environment with vulnerable people so it would not be ideal. The job is quite pressurised and I often need to leave the office to go to the Deputy’s office regarding resident’s care etc. There is also no staff room or staff toilet (!). We all use the communal toilet and it is quite a way from my office (which is small) so going around on crutches would be unsafe (I have fallen twice with them already since having them – they are lethal!). The consultant said I should keep my leg elevated at all times except when I am moving around on crutches to get around. The office is so small there is no place to elevate my leg. Regarding sleep: I am sleeping for England at the moment! I am so bored of doing very little. I’m usually active so finding it all very difficult. On a positive note, my eldest daughter is going to purchase some Calcium, Vit D and L-Lysium today. Whether they will do any good I don’t know but I’m willing to try anything that might help speed up healing. My next appointment with doctor is 27th November and I will let you know how it goes. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Hang in there! Best wishes š
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