The pain of a metatarsal hernia usually subsides within 6-12 weeks if it is not complicated. However, various complications can ensure that those affected continue to have pain and problems even after the healing phase is complete. The pain can be of various types and causes and should always be clarified and treated by a doctor. Of course, in general it should be ensured at the beginning of the treatment that no complications occur later in the healing process. Depending on the type of fracture, however, this is not always easy.
Possible causes for the persistent pain
As already mentioned, the type of metatarsal fracture varies from person to person. However, particularly complicated fractures can cause long lasting pain and problems. The causes of pain are then, for example: comminuted fractures in which several metatarsal bones are broken, which are then not aligned correctly.
Cartilage damage that can slowly develop into arthrosis, which also causes more or less severe pain. Inflammation of the periosteum, especially in connection with open fractures, which are still responsible for severe pain and unconditional rest for several weeks. Pseudoarthrosis, if a Jones fracture was present, which causes similar symptoms and pain as real arthrosis. The development of a complimentary syndrome, in which the tissue in the foot swells but cannot expand far enough, causing damage that leads to severe pain a too early re-stressing of the foot or performing the wrong exercises
- Comminuted fractures in which several metatarsal bones are broken, which are then not correctly aligned.
- Cartilage damage that can slowly develop into arthrosis, which also causes more or less severe pain.
- Inflammation of the periosteum, especially in connection with open fractures, which are still responsible for severe pain and unconditional rest for several weeks.
- Pseudoarthrosis, if there was a Jones’ fracture, which causes similar symptoms and pain as a real arthrosis.
- The development of a compartment syndrome, in which the tissue in the foot swells but cannot expand far enough, causing damage that leads to severe pain
- Re-loading the foot too early or performing the wrong exercises
