Foot fracture injury, how long before you returned to work?

[dma13]

Anyone ever fracture their foot out there? I recently fracture my 5th metatarsal (non work related) about 10 weeks ago and had to go on medical leave. My doctor wanted to clear me for work 4 weeks ago but I had to ask him for more time because my foot still did not feel right as it was very stiff and I was still limping when I walked.

Well this past weekend I returned to work for the first time and barely made it through the first 6 hours of my shift before it started stiffening up on me and I was limping. I had to go home early. I called my doctor's office the next morning to notify him of what happened and to request more time off to heal and do more physical therapy. I'm worried how long this injury will take to heal, especially knowing how much our job requires us to be constantly on our feet. I'm worried of returning too early and doing long term damage versus just taking the time now to let it heal.

How long did it take you to return to work after a foot injury?

[Kitiger, RN]

Are you seeing a podiatrist?

I broke the 3rd metatarsal, so I went to a prompt care where the doctor told me. "Your foot swell. It OK."

Yeah, not much help, that.

A friend recommended that I see a podiatrist, which I did.

You should, too.

[dma13]

I'm seeing a foot orthodpedic specialist. But Im starting to question how good he is as he was ready for me to return to work the day i got out of the air cast when my foot was super weak and limping still.

How many months did it take you to get back to 'normal' functioning?

[Anonymous865]

Two years ago I had a spiral fracture of my 4th and 5th metatarsals. I had an open reduction and internal fixation. (I have 4 pins.)

I went to an orthopedist who does nothing but feet.

My ortho did not allow me to put any weight on my foot for 3 months. (He told me not to even let my foot touch the floor for 3 months.) I was in a walking boot for another month.

I was told by everyone that I should request PT when he allowed me to start walking on it. I did not. I had absolutely no problems when I was cleared to start walking again. I had no stiffness, no pain, no weakness.

The only thing I noticed is that my skin is very sensitive to a light touch. It is still painful to lightly run my hand across my foot when I wash it with soap in the shower. It feels fine to press firmly like when you get a foot massage with a pedicure.

I'm sure that how long it takes you to recover will depend on the type of fracture and you (age, nutritional status, etc.)

My ortho told me that the type of fracture I had was extremely difficult to get to heal.

[dma13]

Thanks for sharing your story. I didn't have to have surgery but I was in a walking air boot for 6 weeks and ever since then I've been dealing with muscle / joint stiffness. Granted I did sprain the ankle pretty bad in addition to fracturing the foot. PT has helped and I'm able to walk slowly but my first night back to work my foot stiffened up on me half way through and I started to limp. Running down the hall for any kind of emergency is out the question for me right now. I just want it to get back to normal functioning. Its hard not to get frustrated.