Limping after a 5th Metatarsal fracture
by Karen
I had a 5th metatarsal fracture 13 weeks ago. I saw my foot doctor for the broken bone. I had the hard aircast pump up boot on for 6 weeks. I then had the aircast ankle brace on for 3 weeks. It was a closed fracture. How long can it take for the limping to fully go away? I am walking much better. I still have a limp when I try to walk fast. It has been 2 1/2 weeks since I came out of the ankle brace. I also have a clicking and stretching-popping-grinding sound in my good knee on the other leg when I go up and downstairs. I have been released from the foot doctor as of 2 1/2 weeks ago when I came out of the brace. My doctor thinks I am doing good. He feels the knee issue will go away in time as well. Could the knee issue, the limping and the sore feet take a while to go all the way away? My foot doctor said it takes time. I am wondering if I need to discuss this with my family doctor. I asked my foot doctor and he said it would go away. Is this all normal to you? It sounds pretty normal. You do not mention your age or your weight and those factors could influence the amount of time it takes for your fractured area and knee to stop hurting. My rule of thumb for my patients, is that if each week you are feeling a little bit better than the week before, then you know you are well on your way. If you reach a point where you do not see this improvement then there may be a problem. I do not know where you fractured your fifth metatarsal bone, but the base of the bone is a notoriously slow healer due to the poor blood supply to that area of the foot. If you have concerns, your family doctor is probably not your best bet; a second opinion by another podiatrist or orthopedist would be a better choice. Marc Mitnick DPM
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