Broke my 5th metatarsal 2 years still in pain
Hey everyone,
I’m a 35F and looking to see if anyone has been through something similar with a tricky 5th metatarsal break.
Quick background: I broke my 5th metatarsal 2 years ago. My old doctor treated it conservatively (no surgery), and I was in a boot/resting and it took me about 3 months to be able to “walk” again. Around 4-6 to Walk somehow normal. Somewhat because it does never went to feel Like before. I can Walk but something feels off. I changed doctors back then to a better place and they we’re shocked the old doctor did not send me to surgery back then. But ok ir grew back together…
Fast forward to now (two years later): I am still dealing with a lot of issues.
Activity Pain: If I walk for too long, or do cardio workouts that involve twisting/spinning on my foot, it starts aching and I feel a click Sensation.
The Weirdest Symptom: In normal cushioned sneakers with my custom inlets/orthotics, it feels okay. But the second I go barefoot, I get a weird click-click feeling in that exact bone with every step which goes away after some hours.
I just saw my doctor and he is sending me for a new MRT (MRI) scan. He suspects it either healed badly (a non-union/pseudoarthrosis) and we might need surgery after all, OR that it has developed arthrosis (arthritis) in the joint.
Honestly, I’m so frustrated. I thought this was behind me two years ago and now I'm terrified of having to go under the knife, deal with crutches, or find out my joint is ruined.
Has anyone else had their 5th metatarsal clicking or hurting years after a "conservative heal"?
If your MRT showed a non-union years later, did you get the screw surgery? How was the recovery?
If it was arthrosis, did shots/injections or physical therapy help you avoid surgery?
I would love to hear any experiences, timelines, or positive outcomes. This is a massive mental battle right now.
Thank you!