Does anyone on here have experience with a "Jones" fracture of the 5th metatarsal.

I guess it's a serious fracture because they don't always heal right.
I got my fracture 6 weeks ago, just had additional xrays that show that it's not healing and the fracture is actually worse. Don't know about surgery yet, but heard it's an add'l 20 weeks on crutches after the operation.

Can anyone fill me in on this type of fracture? and what I've got ahead of me?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jones_fracture

are you in a cast and not putting any weight on it?

I'm in a splint...and as far as no weight, that's nearly impossible when your alone most of the day and night. I've really tried to not put weight on it, but unfortunately I'm clumsy and lose my balance a lot on the crutches.

I need one of those electric scooters that would make it all a lot easier and safer.

I have read that article before...was hoping someone had some real experience with it.

if you want a bone in your foot to heal, you should be in a real cast and you need to decide if you want it to heal or not. If you do, then you have to keep the weight off to give it a chance to set and make more bone. Every time you put weight, it can crack what it made and you start over.

Surgery should ALWAYS be avoided in ALL cases if you can - anesthesia, while safer than in the past, is still dangerous and any surgery will STILL require you to be in a cast and NO WEIGHT on it.

I know it is not easy, but it is what is required. I have been in a cast twice in my life and used crutches both times. I had to arrange furniture so that I could get my coffee from the kitchen to the living room... you know, swing on the crutches, pick up the coffee, lean forward place it on the next surface, swing up another step, pick up the coffee.... repeat until arrive at the chair.

The worst part is an extra hairy leg at the end. blech

Great advice...Can I ask? Did you have pain in your rotator cuffs too? That's my biggest problem right now...I'm at the point where I can't even use my arms anymore...probably because I've injured them in the past. Any suggestions on that?

Yeah...I know those tricks all too well. I even have a "Pit Maneuver" if I need to move something (and yes, it's what you think ).

I do have a problem with my left shoulder. It tried PT in the past, but I don't I was going to best place. Next visit to see the doc will be to get me into Evergreen PT - they did wonders this spring when I had a really bad pain in my left hip and sciatica all the way down my left leg. Turned out to be SI joint (butt joint) was outta whack. I was better even after the first visit and totally well and pain free after a few weeks.

I would suggest PT for your situation, too, but probably after you get done with crutches.

Usually rotator cuff injuries prevent us from lifting our arms comfortably, but the downward push on crutches (remember, you should be using your arms, not so much your arm pits) should be doable.

It's only 6 weeks IF you keep the weight off. Go for it.

May I respectfully suggest:

Although folks' experiences are interesting, and often supportive, they are just that - THEIR experiences. I trust that medical advice is sought from qualified medical practitioners as that most applicable to one's own situation.

first of all, she ASKED for personal experience and second of all, my husband is a retired doctor and I asked him about this before posting to ensure I was stating things correctly, both from my personal experience and his medical opinion.

I do appreciate your input...that's what I wanted, personal experiences.

Yeah, rotator hurts when I lift, but it seems the crutches seem to be making it worse.

How can such a tiny fracture reek so much havoc?