Introduction from Mr Adam Lomax, Consultant Surgeon:
Base of 5th Metatarsal
Hello, I’m Mr Adam Lomax, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. I regularly treat patients with your type of injury. I’m here to explain the details of your injury, the treatment required, and to provide your recovery plan.
You have sustained a simple fracture to the base of your fifth metatarsal, which is now demonstrated on the screen. This is a common injury, and it will heal naturally over a period of six weeks. Pain and swelling are present in the early stages, and it can take up to three months for this to fully resolve. You may need to take painkillers and anti-inflammatories, particularly in the early stages.
Further information on this can be found in phase one of your rehabilitation package.
You can walk on your foot as pain allows. You have been provided with a walker boot for comfort, but it is not intended to aid healing. Please refer to the walker boot video for more information on applying and removing the boot.
You may start driving again once you are permanently out of the walker boot, able to perform an emergency stop, and can manoeuvre your car safely. You may return to work once you feel comfortable and safe to do so.
The walker boot is worn for minimum of 4 weeks, please follow the guidance in Phase 3.
Your recovery
These links will guide you through a number of rehabilitation exercises to help you recover from your injury. You will need to follow them in the correct order.
PHASE 1 (0 to 2 weeks) PHASE 2 (2 to 4 weeks) PHASE 3 (4 to 6 weeks) PHASE 4 (6 weeks+)