Hi, broke base of 5th metatarsal almost 5 weeks ago. I had a cast on for 4 weeks and this was taken off last?

Question: Thursday. I am concerned because my foot doesn't look any different to when they put it in plaster in fact it looks slightly worse. To boot the doctor didn't even look at it just said can you stand on it I said yes and off he went.
However my foot is still very bruised and swollen as is my ankle, the back of my heel and lower leg and if I walk on if for more than a couple of minutes the whole lot swells up like a balloon!. Should I just wait and see what happens, see my own doctor or go to a Sports Injury Clinic, I really don't know what to do at the moment.

Am supposed to go back to work in just under 2 weeks and I walk there and back which is a couple of miles, but the way my foot is looking I don't think I will be able to do that.

Answers:
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but two weeks is a bit optomistic for the swelling to go down. Remember when you break a bone you also damage the muscles, ligaments etc. fairly severly as well. The cast inhibits their healing. But the swelling will go down and the pain will go away. It takes usually a month to six weeks before it's completely healed. If you walk on it as much as possilbe and bear the pain, it will heal faster. Think of this way, when you walk on a bruised foot you make it a little more bruised and it swells up. But until the cast comes off the bruised muscle tissue can't begin the healing process. The other answers advise seeing a Doctor, it isn't a bad idea just to be on the safe side but the likelihood of him or her having a cure for a bruise and swelling is zero, he will probably tell you the best way is to let nature take it's course, but the Doctor can do is give you pain killers.

---

As with any other medical problem, you should consult a professional rather then posting here.

---

---

More Questions and Answers

• Do your eyelashes ever grow back? And if so,about how long?
• anyone know of any better sleeping pills than ambien, and dont say lunestra i want something better?
• Anyone ever accidentally poured rubbing alcohol into one of their eyes?
• when is the flu most contagous to catch.?
• Kneecap pain?
• Would it be a pre-existing condition if you felt pain in your knee THEN got insurance before going to MD?
• Nurses, do you like your job?
• I am always tired! How do I..?