Duration of healing
The duration from the injury leading to a metatarsal fracture to the complete healing of the foot can vary greatly depending on the injury and the form of the fracture. In addition, the individual characteristics of the person affected and the selected therapy method can influence the healing time in individual cases. The time until the affected foot can usually be fully loaded again varies between 6 and 12 months.
However, partial weight bearing is usually possible after 6 weeks after removal of the plaster. In the case of complex therapy procedures and injuries, the time until complete recovery can be significantly delayed. When is the right time for reloading the foot after a metatarsal fracture?
The timing depends on factors such as the severity of the fracture and the involvement of surrounding tissue (soft tissue). It also depends on how the fracture is treated therapeutically, which in turn depends on whether it is a pure and uncomplicated fatigue fracture or a complex traumatic fracture. If the fracture is immobilized with a plaster cast, the foot must not be subjected to any load during this process.
As a rule, the cast is applied for about 6-8 weeks. After that, the foot can be carefully re-stressed under the advice or guidance of a doctor or physiotherapist. It is important to be patient and to gradually bring the affected foot closer to a load, so that the bone has enough time to react to the load with adaptation processes in the bony structure.
Therefore, partial weight-bearing is recommended from the 6th to 8th week after removal of the plaster. Only in the further course of the procedure should full weight-bearing take place. In most cases, complete healing with full loading capacity as before the metatarsal fracture is only possible after about 6 months.
Diagnosis
At the beginning of the diagnosis of a metatarsal fracture, a doctor-patient conversation takes place during which the doctor asks how the injury occurred. This anamnesis helps the doctor to assess what force was applied to the foot and what damage to the foot is to be expected. In addition, a look at the foot as well as the physical examination of the person affected helps the doctor to get a picture of the injury.
The extent of the injuries and whether a metatarsal fracture is present can only be determined after an X-ray examination. With the help of an X-ray machine or a computer tomograph, images can be produced which can provide a good picture of the fracture of the bone and its current position. In some cases, an additional MRI examination is performed to assess the extent to which surrounding tissue has been damaged.