Discharge advice: Following attendance with a foot (5th Metatarsal base) fracture

You have broken a bone in the outer part of your foot.

The fracture has occurred in a part of the metatarsal bone which normally heals well without problems.

What should I expect and what can I do to help my foot to heal?

The pain, tenderness and swelling you are experiencing in the foot should gradually settle over a period of several weeks.

During this time, you may find walking on the foot painful – it may help to walk on the heel initially.

You will be provided with a removable boot support for the foot. If required, you will also be provided with crutches.

You may walk on the foot as much as pain allows, the removable boot can usually be discarded gradually between three and five weeks after the injury as the pain settles.

The usual healing time is six to eight weeks, but it may take several months for the foot to feel normal again.

Occasionally the fracture may fail to heal (smoking is a risk factor) and continue to be painful even after several months. A surgical procedure may be needed at this stage to help heal the fracture.

Physiotherapy advice

No specific physiotherapy exercises or advice required for this injury .

Contacts and further information

For any queries in relation to your injury of for further advise:

Please contact the Emergency department minor injuries extension via the CUH main switch board number on 01223 245151 extension 3119 or contact the NHS service on 111.