4thMETATARSAL shaft fracture-undisplaced

An undisplaced fracture means the broken bit of bone are very close to each other and the fracture will heal without needing any further treatment like surgery. The most important bit is to make sure that you keep your foot elevated as much as possible. If you are sitting use another chair or a stool to keep your leg up on it. When you are on a sofa put a few pillow s to keep the foot up. When sleeping use a few pillows to keep your foot up. This will get the swelling down. Most of the pain will be coming due to the swelling. Use ice packs to help with the swelling. Even sitting for a few minutes with your foot dangling down makes the swelling worse. Fractures usually heal in 6-8 weeks time. All the cast is doing is keeping the foot steady until nature heals the fracture. It is also there for your comfort. Use crutches to walk and only use your foot for additional support. Do not lever on the foot or use it normally, the pain will worsen. Hopping will make you lose balance. Use a crutch or a walking stick for support for a few weeks. Initially half a plaster is given due to the swelling. Once that settles, they give a full cast. Hope this helps. DrVinu Raj MBBS MRCS MRCS(Trauma&Orthopaedics) Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon