what bone is broken, I broke the 5th metatarsal about 8 years ago, it is the very last bone on the outside of the foot, sort of on the side. It was clean break and I wore a cast that ended just below my knee for about 6-8 weeks but the bone never started to heal. After two months with no sign of healing the doctor wanted to put me in an EBS(electronic bone stimulator) but insurance made me wait another month. At three months with still no sign of healing I started wearing the EBS patch for 10 hours a day and a was in a walking cast until the bone finally healed, which took a total of 6 months. While it was a PITA walking around in cast and then a big lunky shoe boot it healed so well you would never know I broke it. I went to an ortho foot doctor and was glad he was honest and did not go the pin and screw route that a neighbor who was a podiatrist wanted to do. Eric the Podiatrist told me the day after my fall that I would need surgery and wanted to operate right away, I am glad I stuck to my gut feeling and saw an MD. I was in my late 40's when this happened and as you get older you don't have much blood flow in the foot so that's why healing can take longer, good luck and let us know what the doc says. |