Broken fifth metatarsal - positive stories please :(

[Flyingsolo]

Four weeks ago, I got rear ended in my truck. Later that day, I got dizzy, fell down the stairs and broke my foot gutted doesn‘t cover how I’m feeling.

I have five horses which my partner is looking after. I miss them terribly and am really struggling, mentally, being stuck at home.

So, I’m four weeks in and the hospital, after two weeks, told me to start putting weight on my foot. Are these people crazy?! It hurts. I don’t want to make it hurt and walk on it. I don’t really understand how that’s conducive to healing, but I’m not a doctor.

Can anyone cheer me up with their success stories please!! I’m seriously panicking because I know it will heal, but somewhere in my mind I feel like I’m going to be broken for ages. Two more weeks and it will be six weeks and aren’t I meant to be almost healed by then? I absolutely cannot see it and I worried I won’t be able to get back to my horses and also back to my coaching work and earning money again.

 

[Lady Jane]

I've broken mine twice. It was very painful and I did hobble about doing my own horse. They told me the swelling effectively splinted the break so walking wouldn't do it any damage. I think you will feel alot better in a couple of weeks but it took me much longer to get my own shoes/boots on, I borrowed larger ones from friends. I think it was probably 3 months before it felt 100%. I didn't have 5 horses to do - but I would expect you to be able to get back to coaching now? But have something to sit on for a while. Good luck!

 

[scats]

Weight bearing actually encourages bones to heal once they have laid down the soft bone stuff (that’s where my technical knowledge ends!)
I’ve just recovered from a fairly nasty break and they told me they generally prefer to get people moving sooner rather than later nowadays.
There’s a big long thread about my accident in the tack room if you want to bore yourself. I didn’t break the same bone as you, but I shared the whole journey.
Good luck with the healing x

 

[Starzaan]

I’ve done mine three times in the left foot and twice in the right.
Every time I opted for the boot and just carried on doing the yard. It hurts but wasn’t too bad and I was far happier doing something than I would have been just sitting on the sofa.

All healed fine and don’t have any lasting issues with either foot.

 

[EllenJay]

I’ve done mine three times in the left foot and twice in the right.
Every time I opted for the boot and just carried on doing the yard. It hurts but wasn’t too bad and I was far happier doing something than I would have been just sitting on the sofa.

All healed fine and don’t have any lasting issues with either foot.

I’ve done mine 3 times, and exactly the same, air boot and carry on. Biggest problem was driving to the yard

 

[ycbm]

I broke my middle metatarsal, horse stamped on it. I took off the cast, which was very irritating, walked on a block my OH attached to a boot to stop my foot bending, and was healed in 3 weeks.
.

 

[Elno]

Broke some metatarsals a couple of years ago due to a stupid, skittish thoroughbred. Rode two hours after and continued to walking and putting weight on it until it healed. Sure it hurt, but it was manageable.

 

[millikins]

I almost certainly broke mine about 18 months ago, I slid off a pair of flip flops when I took the dogs out for a pee and cba to put boots on. It was so bloody painful I couldn't weight bear, I did go to A&E but after waiting 2 hours thought "what will I do if they give me an air boot and say I can't drive?", so excused myself and left. It was very painful, but I carried on with regular over the counter painkillers, I have to say that putting weight through the foot on to a stirrup when riding remained painful for several months, I frequently got off and walked.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I broke my 4th metatarsal several years ago. I was given a black plastic boot to support it. I was not allowed to weight bear for the 1st(?) week and then expected to go about my normal business with the boot in place. I was able to drive. I don't remember it being particularly painful while healing but it has been more recently and I gave to be very careful not to wear shoes with heels that are too high. GP thinks I probably have osteoarthritis in it.