Last Updated on February 21, 2022 by Sarah Keene
As you recover, your provider will instruct you to begin moving your foot. This may be as soon as 3 weeks or as long 8 weeks after your injury. When you restart an activity after a fracture, build up slowly. If your foot begins to hurt, stop and rest.
People ask also, how long should you rest a broken foot? Most fractures heal without any problems in about six weeks. However, it may take three to six months for your symptoms to settle completely – these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength, and swelling. The bones may take longer to heal if you suffer from diabetes or if you smoke.
Best answer for this question, can I walk on a fractured foot after 4 weeks? You can walk on your injured foot as much as your pain allows. You should gradually stop using the supportive shoe over three to five weeks, as your pain settles. Most base of 5th metatarsal injuries heal without any problems. However, it may take several months for your symptoms to settle completely.
In this regard, how long do you have to wear a boot for a foot fracture? You will be given a removable boot to wear to support your foot; this should be used for two to six weeks to enable you to walk more comfortably whilst the injury heals. You only need to wear this when standing or walking, you can remove it at rest, at night and when bathing or showering.
Likewise, will walking on a fractured foot make it worse? This fracture gets worse with time if you keep walking on it, so non-weight bearing is very important. People with this fracture are more likely to develop problems healing that require an operation.
How can I tell if my broken foot is healing?
- What You Experience During Healing. The following steps are what you will go through as your broken bone is healing:
- Pain Decreases.
- Range of Motion Increases.
- Swelling Goes Down.
- Bruising Subsides.
- Orthopedic Clinic in Clinton Township, MI.
What is the fastest way to heal a broken foot?
- Take protein supplements. As a large part of a bone is composed of protein, taking protein supplements can help the bone to rebuild and heal itself.
- Take antioxidants.
- Take mineral supplements.
- Take vitamin supplements.
- Take herbal supplements.
- Exercise.
- Avoid smoking.
What happens if you walk on a broken foot too soon?
Until you see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan, you should not walk on a suspected broken foot, because walking on a broken foot too soon could cause more damage to the foot.
What is the fastest way to heal a broken metatarsal bone?
- Rest. Sometimes rest is the only treatment needed to promote healing of a stress or traumatic fracture of a metatarsal bone.
- Avoid the offending activity.
- Immobilization, casting or rigid shoe.
- Surgery.
- Follow-up care.
How long does a broken foot metatarsal take to heal?
A metatarsal fracture may take from 6 weeks to several months to heal. It is important to give your foot time to heal completely, so that you do not hurt it again. Do not return to your usual activities until your doctor says you can.
What to expect when a broken bone is healing?
After about a week or two, the worst of the pain will be over. What happens next is that the fractured bone and the soft tissue around it start to heal. This takes a couple of weeks and is called subacute pain. You may still be on pain medication, but it may be a lower dosage or a weaker drug.
Can you walk on a broken foot with a boot?
Walking: You may walk on the foot as comfort allows but you may find it easier to walk on your heel in the early stages. If supplied, wear the boot for comfort and use crutches when walking. It is ok to take the boot off at night, when resting at home and to wash.
Can a walking boot make an injury worse?
In this study, 67% of patients treated with a CAM walker boot for at least 2 weeks reported new or worsened secondary site pain at the time of transition out of the boot.
Can I drive with a walking boot?
It is not safe. Driving while wearing a cast or boot may lead to accidents because you are more prone to being distracted, and your reflexes are slower.
Can you have a broken foot bone and still walk?
If you have broken a bone in your foot, you may still be able to walk, depending on the severity of the break. When recovering from this injury, it is suggested that you avoid walking excessively, as this can push the broken bone out of proper alignment and cause poor healing and foot deformities.