Healing time without plaster | Physiotherapy after a metatarsal fracture – healing time, stress and therapy

Healing time without plaster

Midfoot fractures with no or only slight dislocation (deviation of the fragments from each other) can be treated conservatively. Conservative means that no surgery is necessary, and the fracture is simply immobilized, e.g. with a plaster cast. Fractures in which the fragments are more displaced from one another are treated surgically, in which case a plaster cast is usually not necessary.

The healing time without plaster depends on the course and result of the operation. With optimal surgical reduction and fixation, the healing time can be accelerated compared to conservative treatment with plaster. A precise assessment is made by means of X-ray control after the operation.

If fractures heal without plaster and without surgery, the risk of minor trauma due to premature loading or movement is significantly increased. Only very stable fractures should heal without plaster. Immobilization can then be achieved with tape bandages or certain shoes.

In any case, the healing result should be regularly evaluated by means of X-ray control. Very stable fractures can, as already mentioned, heal without an operation or plaster cast. Among other things, certain tapes are suitable for this purpose.

Many patients also opt for tape systems, especially when returning to sports activities. These give the foot additional stability and still allow for mobility. However, there are a few things to consider here as well.

Many people ask themselves the question which tape should be used at all. Furthermore, how is the tape applied, soft advantages and disadvantages of a tape system, etc. In the article “Taping a midfoot break” you will get exactly such information.

In addition, information about the load with the tape and how long the tape has to be taped at all. There are many shoes to support the healing of a metatarsal fracture. With a prescription you can get advice in a medical supply store.

The shoes can often be adapted very individually to the patient. Shoes to support healing should be “weaned” slowly after the fracture has healed safely, so that the foot muscles can begin to stabilize the foot again on their own. Often the shoes take over a large part of the work of the foot muscles and this is less demanded.

As a result, the musculature decomposes. To avoid this, supporting shoes that should not be worn forever as soon as they are no longer needed should not be worn.

  • In rare cases, special shoes are worn if a metatarsal fracture is to be treated without a cast or operation.

    This is only the case with very stable fractures.

  • There are shoes that allow the patient to walk with a cast. These are then worn until the cast can be removed.
  • In addition, there are special shoes that are adjusted after an operation to ensure the surgical result.
  • There are also those that can be individually adapted to the patient (or at least soles for the shoe). They are designed to compensate for permanent damage to the arch of the foot or the anatomy of the foot. These are then worn for a long time and adjusted after the fracture has healed.