I broke my fifth metatarsal on Mar 3 around 8:30 am. Below is my journey in hopes it can help others.
Takeaways
Take photos so you can see the progress
Trust your body - see your doctor again if you are concerned
Make sure your hips are aligned by wearing a taller shoe on your opposite foot
Find ways to be comfortable - elevation pillows, crutches/scooter, etc
I’ve been using a heating pad for my hips
Do things for your mental health
Find ways to sleep - it’s hard to sleep with the boot and the pain
Mar 3 (Day 1) - indoor bike workout wishing it wasn’t a day off and I could run. Not sure why that was going through my mind. Decided to finally donate the kids’ soccer balls and was carrying them to the car (two large bags with 10+ each) in my Oofoo slides when I tripped over a plastic gutter drain with my left foot and landed off balance on it with my right. I felt my foot roll off the slide as the plastic piece tilted and I rolled off of it. The pain was intense but the worst part was the fear that it was similar to when I tore my ACL off the bone in college (first year, second day of ski team practice).
I wasn’t sure how bad it was and I didn’t want to put weight on it. My knee and left hand were skinned. I tried to crawl to the door. It hurt and I couldn’t put weight on it. I rang the doorbell and got inside. I still thought I could rest and then deliver the soccer balls…
I elevated it and may have iced a little - mainly I wanted heat over the first few days. I couldn’t bear weight at all and crawled. It was exhausting but I thought it would probably heal quickly and I didn’t want to go to the ER to hear another - you sprained it (RICE). I took all my meetings from the couch. Total steps: 5118
Mar 4 (Day 2) - new crutch tip arrived and I started moving on crutches which was much easier! I could rest my foot briefly on the ground. My body was tired from the different movement and I was sad to miss a run day. I still worked on the couch and wasn’t sure how I would get to my office - down three stairs. Or how I would elevate my leg while I worked. I rode the indoor bike for 20 minutes and walked half a mile outside with crutches. Total steps: 5152
Mar 5 (Day 3) - able to put weight on my foot. Found one of my kids’ boots and started wearing it. Foot didn’t fit in a normal shoe. Indoor bike 30 minutes and walked .69 miles outside. Steps: 5311
Mar 6 (Day 4) - Used the erg for 30 minutes, short walk outside, and short walk on walking pad indoors in the short walking boot. It felt better but something wrong. There was a lack of stability in part of the stride. I ignored the swelling and bruising. Steps: 5418 looking forward to getting back above 10000…
Mar 7 (Day 5) - 31 minute indoor bike and then my PT could see me. She didn’t love how it was presenting and told me I needed x-rays. She prepared me for what they might say. I was able to get in to see a doctor and was told I had broken my fifth metatarsal and to wear a post op shoe or boot. It would take about 4 to 6 weeks to heal. I asked about running and the doctor put in an urgent request for me to see a podiatric surgeon. Steps: 5955
Mar 8 (Day 6) Indoor cycle 27 min (late for a call) Outdoor walk .75 miles Thinking about how I can maintain cardio and muscle while I heal. Steps: 5731
Mar 9 (Day 7) 20 min erg - it was okay - wore a normal shoe for it. 0.85 mile walk - excited to get out. Steps: 7126
Week 1 Step Avg 5687
Week 2 Post boot step avg 3366
Mar 10 (Day 8) 25 min bike, 1 mile walk. I feel like I am building up to a normal walk. The low boot doesn’t hurt my stride too much, I’m just taking everything very slowly. Steps: 6389
Mar 11 (Day 9) 30 min cycle Then a few calls and off to the surgeon. 8-12 weeks in tall boot. No more exercise. Just sit. Hmm. Not able to process it. Apple Fitness is telling me my activity has changed. Strava Steps: 4066 mostly before the boot was put on.
Mar 12 (Day 10) Reduced exercise minutes on Apple Watch to 5. Steps: 3442
Mar 13 (Day 11) Steps: 3354
Mar 14 (Day 12) Steps: 3243
Mar 15 (Day 13) Steps: 2896
Mar 16 (Day 14) Steps: 3893
Week 3 Step Avg of 4467
Mar 17 (Day 15) Is something wrong with the boot? It really hurts. Steps: 4001
Mar 18 (Day 16) I’m in so much pain with the boot. Saw my PT to check on the angle of my foot and the pain. Suggested I contact the surgeon and there was a cancellation. He spent time making a kidney shaped inset to take the pressure off the break. Steps: 4749
Mar 19 (Day 17) Steps: 4290
Mar 20 (Day 18) Steps: 4157
Mar 21 (Day 19) Steps: 4614
Mar 22 (Day 20) Felt great with new crutches. Walked around the block! Steps: 5427
Mar 23 (Day 21) Tired and muscles are very sore. Seems the walk around the block was too much. Steps: 4033
Week 4 Step Avg 4772
Mar 24 (Day 22) Foot and muscles hurt. Did a lot less than two days ago. It’s been warmer today and the foot in my boot is very warm at night. Feels like it’s on fire. Steps: 3603
Mar 25 (Day 23) I’m barely using the crutches. Steps: 3775
Mar 26 (Day 24) I am able to do some leg lifts and move more without pain - I could turn off the lift by the bed by turning my upper body and didn’t feel pain in my arm or leg. I used the crutches only on an outing to a store and on a walk - 1/2 mile! Steps: 4600
Mar 27 (Day 25) Foot feeling better. Noticing that I can move my leg more without pain. Steps: 5187
Mar 28 (Day 26) Steps: 4658
Mar 29 (Day 27) Oops! It was under 6000 before I brushed my teeth and I feel it’s too high. Steps: 6153
Mar 30 (Day 28) Feeling fine - some hip soreness. Steps: 5429
Week 5 Step Avg 5471
Mar 31 (Day 29) First shower since I go the boot. Used a chair. Step into shower is tough. Very exciting to shower! Steps: 5246
Apr 1 (Day 30) Caught outside during rain/sleet - yikes. Scary and made it home safely. Boot and left shoe are wet - trying to dry them. Switching from Sketcher to Hoka for left foot. Steps: 4507
Apr 2 (Day 31) Second shower since getting the boot. Saw PT, raised height of crutches to fix posture. Looked at hip alignment with Hoka plus Superfeet on top of Hoka insert. Cut Hoka insert toes out to give more room in shoe. Discussed tendon strain with leg lifts - don’t do anything that causes pain in the tendon - the bone needs to heal first. Using a heating pad on the shin/tendon while working. First time with leg elevated under desk without the brace - previously I have only taken the brace off in bed to change or on the couch to rest/elevate it. I’m really glad I am tracking everything so I can see the progress. Decided to cancel a weekend trip that is 90 minutes away. The vibrations in the car are uncomfortable. Steps: 4671
Apr 3 (Day 32) I got nervous about my healing and almost started using the crutches in the house again. I spent most of the day not moving much and then went for a walk where I relied on my crutches a lot. I think my Apple Watch is giving me credit for arm movements instead of steps. Went to the local market to buy more vegetables. I’m trying to eat well to help with healing. Steps: 4517
Apr 4 (Day 33) I slept a little better last night. Still waking twice. My opposite hip hurts a lot. Super glad it’s Friday! Might venture all the way to Costco today. I haven’t been out much and have cancelled all our travel plans. It’s tough. Costco indoor 0.62 miles. Outdoor walk later 0.71 miles Steps: 6448 oops!
Apr 5 (Day 34) Outdoor walk of 0.72 milesSteps: 5778
Apr 6 (Day 35) Outdoor walk of 0.75 miles plus another shorter walk I didn’t track. Steps: 7136 - oops!
Week 6 Step Avg 5252
Apr 7 (Day 36) Yay! Week 6. I’m excited to have made it this far. Outdoor walk 0.66 miles Steps: 5138
Apr 8 (Day 37) PT was great. Helped stretch my big toe while holding the rest of my foot. Prepared me for the plan if my bone callus isn’t as big as they want at 8 weeks. Told me to eat more Calcium. Trying! Outdoor walk of 0.72 miles Steps: 5432
Apr 9 (Day 38) Tough day. Just wanting to stretch my foot. It’s warm out and my foot feels sweaty. My hip hurts and I’m trying to minimize walking but ended up going for a walk (0.92 miles - oops) with crutches when I felt low. Steps: 5612
Apr 10 (Day 39) I took a muscle relaxer to sleep last night - my hip has been in a lot of pain. Taking it easy today and I’m feeling better. So tough. I want to move around. Looking back at the increase in activity is helpful to see why I might be in pain. I hate not moving. Grump! Outdoor walk of 0.47 miles. Steps: 3869
Apr 11 (Day 40) Feeling a little better after not moving as much yesterday. It’s painful to stand for too long (hip and foot). Painful to not move as well. I’ve noticed that I am more nimble now so my foot must hurt less. I have been occasionally flexing my foot and slightly scrunching my toes in my boot. Outdoor walk of 0.8 miles. Steps: 5437
Apr 12 (Day 41) Left hip still hurts but foot/ankle/calf are feeling much better. I’m relaxing how tight the boot is to allow more blood flow and it doesn’t feel like I’m hurting it. So glad. I can’t believe it’s almost the end of week 6! Two outdoor walks, 0.63 and 0.26. Steps: 6222
Apr 13 (Day 42) Outdoor walk of 0.82 miles. Stepped out again but turned around for a total of 0.12 miles. Trying to be careful. Steps: 5051
Week 7 Step Avg 5574
Apr 14 (Day 43) Showering is a little easier. Still scared to PWB without the boot to get into the shower and grateful for my chair. Outdoor walk of 0.81 miles Steps: 5277
Apr 15 (Day 44) Gave a presentation today so lots of sitting at my computer in the morning. Outdoor walk of 0.74 miles. Was frustrated and tried the indoor cycle for 10 minutes. Need to use my arms to help my right leg but it was nice to do something different. Steps: 5431
Apr 16 (Day 45) PT was canceled and I really wanted assurance that I was making progress. Reading Percy Jackson and trying to rest… Outdoor walk of 0.77 miles Steps: 5007
Apr 17 (Day 46) Another presentation today - a little extra stress around the timing and again, lots of sitting in the morning. Outdoor walk of 0.91 miles. Foot/ankle/calf feels good. Steps: 5529
Apr 18 (Day 47) Foot is feeling so much better. Starting to stretch foot in boot. It occasionally cracks and I get scared but no swelling. I’m bored of wearing the boot! Outdoor walk with one crutch 0.97 miles. Starting to wean off crutches outside since I don’t use them indoors. Left hip hurts. Steps: 6197
Apr 19 (Day 48) Went for my first walk all the way to the library to drop off two books (1.04 miles). So exciting. Didn’t use crutches! Lots of steps from the walk and from “dancing” on the couch - arm movements mainly. So ready to stop using the boot. As my foot heals it’s not as bad at night but sometimes feels like it’s pressing on the inner ankle. Is that due to swelling I’m not noticing? I can’t figure out how to make it more comfortable. Steps: 7443
Apr 20 (Day 49) I’m in so much pain - right hip/lower back. Hurts to lift leg. Heating pad. It’s been improving throughout the day. Doesn’t hurt to walk or stand and I don’t want to overdo it. Clearly yesterday was a lot! I really hope I’m healing. Looking back at previous weeks I can see the progress. Steps: 4185
Week 8 Avg Steps 5766
Apr 21 (Day 50) Challenging day mental health-wise. In pain from hip still. It’s hard to lift my right leg. Took muscle relaxer to sleep. Foot occasionally cracks and I’m not sure if that’s bad. Sometimes the broken/healing area hurts. I am looking forward to seeing how it’s doing and hoping it’s healing well! Steps: 3857
Apr 22 (Day 51) Starting to feel better. Can move more. Went for two short walks one with one crutch and the evening one with two. Seems to help my hip. Steps: 4593
Apr 23 (Day 52) Using both crutches outside. Steps: 5475
Apr 24 (Day 53) Reading middle school/young adult books. Steps: 7101
Apr 25 (Day 54) Always so exciting to make it to Friday! Steps: 6421
Apr 26 (Day 55) Finding I can walk more outside with my crutches. Didn’t sleep well last night - up from about 1 to 4:30… Steps: 5937
Apr 27 (Day 56) Steps: 6977
Week 9 Avg Steps 6234
Apr 28 (Day 57) It’s been 8 weeks! It feels stronger. I’m hopeful. Tonight might be my final night in the boot! Steps: 6539
Apr 29 (Day 58) So nervous about getting the x-rays and also feeling stronger. Doing more. Didn’t take crutches in to the appointment and then had to stand for the x-rays. And… the x-rays didn’t show enough bone growth so 4 more weeks in the boot. Full-time, still sleeping in it. So sad. Also saw another fracture we couldn’t see in the original x-rays that has some bone growth. Vacillating between wallowing and looking for opportunity. Steps: 5335
Apr 30 (Day 59) PT was also sad by my x-rays. Apparently, women grow bone more slowly. Maybe not getting enough blood flow? Or maybe my body is just healing at its own pace. Steps: 6046
May 1 (Day 60) Steps: 5693
May 2 (Day 61) Still having trouble sleeping and still feeling pain in different areas. I know I’m doing more and different things and it makes it hard to sleep. It feels like the boot presses into the top of my foot too much. Today is the first day I wanted to work with my foot down and not elevated. I’m short and needed to find something flat to put under my feet. If I can work this way, I can move my monitor back up and reclaim part of my desk! Steps: 6606
May 3 (Day 62) Steps: 7035
May 4 (Day 63) Steps: 6387
Week 10 Avg Steps 5879
May 5 (Day 64) Steps: 5563
May 6 (Day 65) Steps: 5686
May 7 (Day 66) Steps: 6103
May 8 (Day 67) Steps: 5514
May 9 (Day 68) Steps: 5493
May 10 (Day 69) Steps: 7133
May 11 (Day 70) Steps: 5660
Week 11 Avg Steps 5678
May 12 (Day 71) Steps: 6493
May 13 (Day 72) Steps: 5178
May 14 (Day 73) Steps: 6777
May 15 (Day 74) Steps: 4049
May 16 (Day 75) Steps: 5972
May 17 (Day 76) Steps: 5291
May 18 (Day 77) Steps: 5988
Week 12 Avg Steps 6402
May 19 (Day 78) Steps: 6265
May 20 (Day 79) Steps: 6874
May 21 (Day 80) Steps: 5702
May 22 (Day 81) Steps: 6977
May 23 (Day 82) Steps: 5848
May 24 (Day 83) Steps: 6211
May 25 (Day 84) Steps: 6935
Week 13 Avg Steps 6884
May 26 (Day 85) Steps: 6251
May 27 (Day 86) 12-week x-ray, not enough progress. Very sad. I’ve also now lost a lot of bone density and need to walk more outside without the crutches. So confusing. Trying to stay positive. I was told I could purchase an EOS brace and carbon fiber plate if I wanted to do anything without the boot. I still need to sleep with it. I can also start PT. I bought the brace and plate and they do not fit in my shoe. Steps: 7392
May 28 (Day 87) I took a 3-hour intense coaching exam and was so glad to pass. Super tough with the crutches and not knowing how much time I had on break. I didn’t ask for accommodations and it wasn’t very comfortable but I did it! Steps: 6916
May 29 (Day 88) My new Hokas came - one size up and wide. I can fit the brace and plate in them. It’s not very comfortable and the brace pushes on the broken area. Drove for the first time. It was very scary and not comfortable at all. I’m not sure how to move my foot and I don’t want to hurt it. Steps: 6727
May 30 (Day 89) Those images barely show progress. 0.73 mile walk Steps: 5382
May 31 (Day 90) .6 mile outdoor walk Steps: 6494
Jun 1 (Day 91) 0.47 and 1.24 mile outdoor walks Steps: 9029
Week 14 Avg Steps 8775
Jun 2 (Day 92) 0.61 and 0.74 mile walks Steps: 7580
Jun 3 (Day 93) 0.48 and 0.89 mile walks Steps: 7902
Jun 4 (Day 94) 1.11 mile walk First day of PT and I drove myself! I can start stretching my ankle - point and flex 10x - four times every day. I’m also working on raising my arch without raising the ball of my foot. PT said everything looked good. We did measurements and my foot is still relatively strong. I’m feeling better. Steps: 7800
Jun 5 (Day 95) 1.2 mile walk Steps: 9321
Jun 6 (Day 96) 1.11 and 0.41 mile walk Steps: 8687
Jun 7 (Day 97) 1.02 and 1.81 mile walks Steps: 10,713
Jun 8 (Day 98) 1.94 and 0.02 mile walks - ouch, body hurts Steps: 9423
Week 15 Avg Steps 8586
Jun 9 (Day 99) I’m a little more comfortable in the shower now that I have more flexibility. I can stand for a little bit but still spend most of my time sitting. My body is sore from my strange gait. 0.52 and 1.27 mile walks Steps: 8957
Jun 10 (Day 100) Painful. Trying to walk a little less today to heal.1.4 mile walk Steps: 8065
Jun 11 (Day 101) I feel like I’ve barely healed the bone. I’m not sure what is pain and what is fear. 0.45 and 1.25 mile walks Steps: 9119
Jun 12 (Day 102) 0.92 mile walk PT again, yay! I’m in so much pain from walking with the brace and boot. PT dug into my knees - tendonitis? I also started taping them again to help stabilize the kneecap. Steps: 7974
Jun 13 (Day 103) So jumping 27% from 6884 to 8775 avg in one week was too much. The 10k and 9k days seem to have been too tough. 1.13 mile walk Steps: 7797
Jun 14 (Day 104) 1.59 mile walk Oops on the steps again. It’s so hard to balance wanting to gain bone density and rest. Steps: 9032
Jun 15 (Day 105) 1.75 mile walk Steps: 8875
Week 16 Avg Steps 8177
Jun 16 (Day 106) If I had increased 10% as my first PT told me to do, I would have averaged 7572 two weeks ago and then moved to 8329 last week. Trying to rest and heal. Seems like I should do a little less this week as a break. 0.44 and .72 mile walks Steps: 6402
Jun 17 (Day 107) PT thinks I’m doing really well. Suggests I ask about taking the plate out. Thinks I’m being conservative. Has me working on balance and walking a little barefoot - with her near me. 1.66 mile walk Steps: 8343
Jun 18 (Day 108) Amazing morning. 10 min slow erg, weighted hula hoop, and slow bike. Very happy. Wrote to the doctor in the evening to ask if I could take the carbon plate out of my shoe. It’s preventing movement and I’ve hurt my knee. I’d love to sleep without the boot. Spent a few hours without it. Put it on to use the bathroom and then kept if for the rest of the night. Steps: 6136
Jun 19 (Day 109) Back to sleeping in the boot. Really hoping to not have to sleep in it in the future. 0.75 and .88 mile walks Steps: 8826
Jun 20 (Day 110) The doctor replied that I need to stick with the plate if I’m inclined to walk with the EOS brace. Huh? That’s what I’ve been doing. Now I feel like I’m doing the wrong thing. It’s so hard. 0.71 and 1.18 mile walks Steps: 8446
Jun 21 (Day 111) Very sad. Lots of baking, reading, puzzle work, and watching kdramas. Foot feels fine.1.8 mile walk Steps: 9774
Jun 22 (Day 112) Nervous that my bone won’t show enough healing even though it’s feeling better. Spending more time in my boot again.1.6 mile walk Steps: 9309
Week 17 Avg Steps 9772
Jun 23 (Day 113) Second guessing stuff. Body is not relaxed by foot seems to be doing well. I should get my new slightly smaller shoe today - normal size just wider. If I increase 10% this week I can average closer to 8990. Guess we will see with the doctor says too. Steps: 9037
Jun 24 (Day 114) Radiologist said all sorts of tough stuff but doctor sees 80% growth and I no longer have to wear the boot!! So so happy! Steps: 10294
Jun 25 (Day 115) Didn’t sleep in the boot for the first night since I received it! Steps: 10729
Jun 26 (Day 116) Steps: 9419
Jun 27 (Day 117) Steps: 8941
Jun 28 (Day 118) Steps: 8805
Jun 29 (Day 119) Steps: 11177
Week 18
Jun 30 (Day 120) Steps: 10674
Ju1 1 (Day 121) PT - doing well! Adding more balancing. Steps: 9548
Ju1 2 (Day 122) More balancing. Two long walks, 1.36 and 1.14 Steps: 12036
Ju1 3 (Day 123) Longest drive plus walk by the ocean. I walked on uneven ground, sand too, and I can do stairs! So exciting! Steps: 9551
Ju1 4 (Day 124) Wow. It’s healing quickly. It still feels stuck but is so much better. First massage in 5 months didn’t let them touch my foot. Able to do original stretch routine standing. Steps:
Ju1 5 (Day 125) Steps:
Ju1 6 (Day 126) Steps:
Week 19
Jun 30 (Day 120) Steps:
Ju1 1 (Day 121) Steps:
Ju1 2 (Day 122) Steps:
Ju1 3 (Day 123) Steps:
Ju1 4 (Day 124) Steps:
Ju1 5 (Day 125) Steps:
Ju1 6 (Day 126) Steps: