Fractured 5th Metatarsal

FabioandFreddy

FabioandFreddy

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On New Years Eve I had an accident whilst carrying our Dachshund down the stairs. I slipped and rather than put her in harms way, I face planted against the wall and twisted my foot around the newel post - resulting in a broken nose and fractured 5th metatarsal on my right foot. I called 111 the next day who booked me an appointment at the ETC that afternoon, was in and out within an hour, including X-rays! I had no idea they could make appointments for you to save waiting in A&E! Anyway, they confirmed the fracture, gave me a heel walking boot and sent me on my way telling me to rest/elevate etc.

Has anyone else had this injury before and how long before you were riding again? And anything that can help aid speedy recovery

I've got another appointment at the fracture clinic on 26th to re x-ray and check progress. Fingers crossed its healing and doesn't need surgery.

Typically, I was going to start the horses back in work the first week of January after a 2 week hols over xmas. They're on an extended holiday now although may look at getting someone to come and ride whilst i can't.
 
I feel your pain. I'm almost 5 weeks post breaking a big toe.

I had big plans about riding again after 4 weeks but its still too fragile and sore. 🙁

I hope yours heals quickly. I've been using comfrey ointment (common name knitbone) in the hope that it might help.
 
I had a fracture of the 5th metatarsal in May 2025 on my left foot. The Doc asked me if I smoked as it makes a big difference
in the healing process, he also said that his area was difficult to heal.

The fracture was a the bottom of the 5th metatarsal and it took quiet a long time. I was unable to put my foot down for 6 weeks, hoping on crutches,
then could put some weight.

I was lucky, it healed pretty well, the Doc said that often, people had to be operated on for such a fracture.

At 2 months, i was walking ok and at the 3months checks, i was fine.

I could ride after 4 months, after 6 mois, i started running again without troubles. I haven't had any pain at all.

Every situations is different, good luck to you !
 
Yep me (22.8.25) https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/navigating-the-nhs-post-bone-break.849916/, mid shaft displaced, plus chipped the cuboid and did horrendous soft tissue damage all around my ankle and heel. I didn't get my check up until 7.5 weeks and he basically sent me on my way with no recommendations whatsoever, no follow up care, not even an opinion on what sort of shoes would be best. I got 4 sessions of physio privately from 6-16 weeks post fracture.

The hospital staff had insisted on wearing the boot all the time, even asleep if possible, but by day 3 I was in agony, and then decided to take it off whenever possible as long as my foot was elevated and not likely to be knocked. The physio confirmed I did the right thing, online advice seems to vary a lot.

Doing okay, walked 2 miles on tarmac on Saturday, I find it hard to keep up consistent movement daily, but did manage 4 days on the road saddle fitting, driving 800 miles just before Christmas. I've a borrowed ARCEquine that I think has helped.
 
Sorry to everyone else who is in a similar boat! its not fun! Thank you for the recommendations. I have an ARC Equine at home for the horses that i've already been using for 2 weeks and have ordered some of the 'Bone knit'. I don't smoke and am not diabetic which they also told me were the main 2 contributors to not healing well.

@sbloom - That's an awfully long time to wait! I thought you had to have a follow up appointment with the fracture clinic within 5-7 days? That's what i was told at the hospital anyway. I hope things have improved for you now.

We seem to be just having a horrible run of bad luck sadly. Husband had an achey leg Tuesday and was still no better yesterday (although have since found out it was since Monday! 🙄) So went through AskmyGP and they sent him to the UTC. He got there at 11am yesterday and had bloods, ECG's etc. Levels on some test were higher than should be so suspected pulmonary embolism. Couldn't get him scanned last night but gave him 2 lots of blood thinner jabs in the stomach and sent him home at 10pm. Back there today at 12 today for the scan, confirmed has got 2 pulmonary embolisms, 1 on each lung. 😢 I thought he seemed a touch more out of breath at the weekend but we were doing the stables/nets etc so put it down to that as he's doing the lions share because of my limitations with my foot. Thank god he went and got checked out.

On top of that, we're waiting on a date for our Springer Spaniel to go in for TPLO surgery for a torn cruciate ligament 😫 It never rains but it pours! I sincerely hope that's our 'comes in 3's'...
 
I’m pretty sure I fractured mine when a horse jumped on it - it was painful for years after and was quite swollen and black. I was mid hunting season so no way was I missing it - I never stopped riding. It hurt more to walk than it did to ride!
 
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