Isolated metatarsal / base 5th metatarsal fracture discharge advice
Patient information leaflets
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NHS Borders
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telephone: 01896 826000
"Information given on this site is not meant to take the place of a talk with your doctor or health worker."
Discharge advice following attendance with a foot (metatarsal) fracture:
- You have fractured a bone in your foot
- The fracture has occurred in a part of the bone which normally heals well without problems in a few weeks therefore no routine follow-up at the fracture clinic is required
- The pain, tenderness and swelling you are experiencing in the foot should gradually settle over a period of a few weeks
- You may find walking on the foot painful. It may be less uncomfortable for you to walk on the heel initially
- You will be provided with advice to support the foot with sturdy footwear or a removable boot if required. You will also be provided with crutches
- Walk on the foot as much as pain allows, and if you have been given a boot you should gradually discard it over 3-5 weeks as the pain settles
- Most injuries heal without any problems - however, it may take several months for your symptoms to heal completely
- Occasionally the fracture may fail to heal and continue to be painful, even after several months. A surgical procedure may be needed at this stage to help heal the fracture.
If the pain gets worse or lasts for more than 3 weeks please contact us - see below
Should you have worries or concerns following discharge from hospital, please contact- switchboard at Borders General Hospital:
- tel:1896 826000
- ask the operator to bleep 6009
- this is the doctor on call who will attend to you as soon as possible
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