broken metatarsal 8 wks ago, will it ever get fully better?

[philcray]

Hi

I was in training for the London Marathon, just setting out on a 20 mile run, when I fell down a pothole and, cutting a long story short, broke a bone in my left foot. It was in a slipper cast for 6 weeks which came off 2 weeks ago today. I had hoped that it would all be 100% by now and I would more or less be back running but I can still feel it.

It is a bit sore, especially if I bend my foot even quite mildly e.g. driving a car with a clutch, doing a bit of diy etc, things you would not even normally think about.

The Dr said to rest for 6 weeks after cast came off which I am doing so still 4 weeks to go, but it is worrying that it does not seem to be improving as I would have hoped. Obviously I don't want to rush back and damage it again but surely a fairly minor break should have knitted by now?

Has anybody else had a similar break and recovered to get back fully to normal, especially re distance running? If so what timescales?

Thanks

Phil

[exocet ape]

I broke a couple of metatarsals a few years back and it takes a while to get fully operational again.
I actually had to get physio to break down some hardness around one of the breaks that was causing pain and discomfort.

[gjf764]

Which one have you broken? I broke my 5th a few years ago, took ages to heal and had it pinned eventually (wish I'd had that done on day one but hey ho...)

You need to be guided by your doctor, are you seeing an orthopaedic surgeon who deals with athletes? In my experience as a frequently broken rugby player, it's important to see a doctor who understands what is important to you and has the expertise to deal with it

[y2blade]

I broke my Fifth one a few years back (mine was an oblique break), took a while to heal, about 11-12 weeks all in all iirc...no pain in it at all now although it does "ache" sometimes when in cold weather conditions.


If in doubt get it looked at.

[London424]

As above, it takes a long time to heal...I wouldn't be worried until you get past the 12 week timescale.

ETA: Obviously don't do anything silly on it, as you'll only delay the healing.

[FIK]

Be patient, I broke my 5th metatarsal while running a couple of years ago and rushed back and broke it again less than 4 months later. It took me about a year to get back to 100% fitness. I have just run a marathon and felt no effects at all so it just takes time and you'll be right again. Did you defer your London entry till next year?

[philcray]

thanks for all the feedback. Yes I deferred it till next year so that is really my target, as you say best not to rush back in but I can feel the fitness draining away!

[y2blade]

Don't try to rush it....do exactly as your specialist tells you.

Yes you will loose psychical condition, look at the longterm picture though

Heal strong

[Vocal Minority]

OP - I broke 3 metatarsals in the 10th minute of the rugby season several years ago, and missed all but the last 2-3 games.

As everyone has said - don't worry, all perfectly normal, give it time

[Torquey]

I broke my 4th and 5th metatarsal together.
After 4 weeks the doctor was telling me to put a little weight on it (walk with 1 crutch).
After 6 weeks the cast came off and told me to walk as normal (this was agonising).
After 8weeks I was still struggling to walk comfortably and starting to worry.
Then overnight, around 9 weeks after, I got out of bed and walked fine. Amazed and how quickly things had improved over night.

After about 3 month I was running very lightly (between a limp and a jog).
After 6 month I could run flat out and play football again.
After 2 years I did a half marathon - this was not due to the broken foot but my poor running ability.

Ibuprofen helped a lot to get back to normal walking! The cast was put on terribly and I thought I'd never get back to normal but I'm definitely no worse off than I was before breaking it. Now far fitter, faster and apparently the bone is probably stronger.

[philcray]

Thanks, it sounds like my break is probably healing fairly normally which is good to know. It tends to ache a little first thing in the morning but that soon wears off and can walk normally. There is very little discomfort and no real pain but i am taking things easy, no long walks and certainly no running. As has been recomended, i will not start either for another 4 weeks as dont want to rush and end up back at square one.

I have not driven a manual car since the break, I tried the Defender a week or so ago but the foot felt sore the next day so have put it back in the garage, and sticking to automatics for the time being!

[philcray]

Quick update, 11 weeks now since the break, I have taken it easy for 5 weeks since the cast came off and just began cycling again about a week or so ago. It now feels like it is more or less better, the occasional ache but I am not usually conscious of it.

I have taken it very easy, no running yet and no long distance walks. Plan to start short runs again in a week to 10 days. Hopefully the break is pretty much healed now but no doubt al the other injuries, knees, calfs, hamstrings etc will reappear...