Week 9: The X-ray is finally showing progress

I have to admit, I feel a little ambivalent about my doctor visit today. On one hand (or foot, ha ha), I felt so disappointed to still clearly see the fracture. But on the other hand, it is actually finally filling in, my first time with indisputable progress on an X-ray, so I suppose I need to take the victories where I can get them!

As a side note, I was really annoyed with my doctor today because he sent his assistant to examine me and talk to me. I specifically made my appointment with the doctor and rejected a slot with an assistant. So I talked to her for a while and she seemed to have no clue what she was talking about, so I ignored it, and I made it clear I was expecting to see the doctor. Because I wasted so much time talking to the assistant, when the doctor came in, I’m not sure I asked him all the questions I wanted answers to, like am I allowed to walk barefoot? I don’t know, but I have been. Also, why is my big toe sticking out when I walk? How can I stop that?

Anyway, when his assistant pressed around my foot, it actually was kind of painful. I don’t know if she was doing it too hard or not doing it in the right way, but it was discouraging to feel that pain. When the doctor came in, I told him about it, and he said he wouldn’t worry, the foot still has some inflammation and some days will be better than others.

He said I can start putting on normal footwear that has a stiff sole and walk normally as long as it doesn’t hurt. Again, pain should be my guide. My foot still doesn’t feel like it should — I can’t move my baby toes as much, my gait is not right and sometimes I still feel tinges of pain, but at least I finally see signs of healing and can try to push myself back to normalcy.

As for the X-ray, it’s clear something is finally happening, regardless of anything else. I was hoping it would be further along though so I wouldn’t need to worry so much about it. Unfortunately, I still will have to feel the need to worry. The doctor said might look kind of broken on X-rays for a long time though before showing up as one solid piece, but he said it doesn’t matter as long as I can get back to normal.

Left: Today’s X-ray. Right: Three weeks ago.

The doctor said I can follow-up in six weeks, but as another side note, I might go to a different doctor’s office entirely. Honestly, I am really fed up with them — the canceling of my appointments and trying to pass me off to assistants who don’t know anything is really rude and unfair to me as a patient. I’ve never had a doctor’s office jerk me around this way before. Maybe when I go “home” for the holidays, I can try to see an ortho then out there.

Funnily enough, my uncle broke his foot in a very similar fashion to mine a few days ago. Seriously, check out his X-ray:

My uncle’s X-ray.

What’s weird is that his doctor said he is allowed to wear a sneaker to drive and he can walk around in an Aircast, even though he just broke it. I recall my foot being very painful at first so I couldn’t put on even a sock, let alone a shoe. Of course, I didn’t really attempt it again beyond the first day.

It really makes me wonder if my doctor just gave me different advice than other viable treatment options, or if there is something different about my uncle’s case. He broke the same bone in what appears to be the same way, and yet his treatment isn’t the same — and his treatment is way more manageable than mine was. Strange. It might be worth noting that when he broke it, he thought it was just a bruise and continued to wear shoes and walk on it for a few days. When I broke mine, I immediately went to the doctor and I attempted to put a sock on my way out the door, but found it too painful and wore a slip-on sandal instead.

Perhaps I’m just a bit unlucky as far as fifth metatarsal breakage goes. Some people break theirs and walk. Some people, like me, break theirs are are 100% non-weight-bearing. But I have to remind myself I could’ve broken an ankle (which takes wayyy longer to healer) or I could’ve cracked my skull. Still, I am very ready for this to be over. Sigh.