Fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot - the most effective ways to diagnose and treat injuries

Fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is a common type of injury. About a fifth of the calls to traumatologists for fractures of the legs are associated with this diagnosis. It is easy to get such a break even when walking on an uneven road in uncomfortable shoes, when jumping to a hard surface, as a result of hitting a foot against a curb or wall.

Fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot - symptoms

The foot is a mechanism with a complex device consisting of many bones, and five of them are tubular metatarsal bones located between the phalanges and the tarsal. These bones serve as a kind of lever that moves the foot when moving, jumping, helping to maintain balance and stability. Even a slight fracture or a crack in one of these bones significantly affects the ability to move.

Fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is manifested by the following symptoms:

• crunch in the instant of getting hurt;
• sharp painful sensations, which at first can be muffled by shoes, tightly restraining the leg, but then always becoming more pronounced;
• pain intensifies when moving and touching the foot;
• difficulty in moving, lameness;
• progressive swelling of the foot;
• blueing of the tissue in the place of damage.

Signs of a metatarsal bone fracture of the foot are not in all cases obvious to patients, and such trauma is often mistaken for a severe bruise or sprain. This especially applies to situations where the fracture is not traumatic, coupled with a sharp mechanical effect, and stress. Stress fractures begin with the formation of a small crack in the bone as a result of regular loads on the feet, often in athletes. In the clinical picture of this fracture, aching pains are noted after the load, calming down at rest, with time increasing and accompanied by edema.

Fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot without bias

In those cases when bone fractures are not observed in the fracture, the damaged bone remains anatomically correct. Such damage is less dangerous, easier to treat and fuse. Separately it is necessary to allocate a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone of the foot without displacement, called the Jones fracture. Because in this part of the foot microcirculation is limited, it is worse supplied with nutrients, with this type of damage there is a risk of necrosis of bone tissue. Therefore, delay in referring to a doctor can have the most adverse consequences.

Fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot with displacement

To recognize the fracture of the metatarsal bone, accompanied by the detachment and displacement of bone fragments, it is possible by visual change in the structure of the foot, but this is not always noticeable. An accurate picture of the injury can be obtained only through X-ray diagnostics. Fracture of metatarsal bone with displacement is dangerous by the development of bleeding and increased risk of suppuration in the tissues. If the doctor fails to contact the doctor in time, the fusion may not occur correctly, and a complex operation will be required.

Fracture of metatarsus of the foot - treatment

How long the fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot fuses, whether complications of trauma arise, is largely determined by the timeliness and correctness of the provision of medical care. Immediately after the injury is obtained, it is necessary to conduct such activities:

• fixation of the foot in one position by overlapping the tire;
• with open trauma - the imposition of a sterile bandage;
• applying a cold compress (about 15 minutes);
• ensuring resting of the lower limb in a raised position.

The tactics of treatment depend on the severity of the fracture and on the location of the lesion. Using a two-projection X-ray, it is possible to determine whether there is a fracture - the base of the metatarsal bone of the foot, diaphysis, neck or head, what the fault line is, and whether there is a displacement of the fragments. The main treatment options are:

• immobilization of the foot with a plaster dressing - in cases of fracture without displacement;
• closed reposition - comparison of bone fragments with a slight displacement of them without cutting the skin;
• osteosynthesis - operative restoration of anatomical location of bone fragments with their fixation by special details (plates, knitting needles, screws) and subsequent plastering, performed with strong displacement and multiple damages.

To relieve the foot of the load, the movement requires the use of crutches until the fracture is fully joined. In the supine and sitting position, the limb should be lifted. The patient must be observed by the doctor during the period of wearing the plaster bandage, for the timely detection of possible complications. To improve bone splicing, calcium and vitamin D are recommended.

Fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot - plaster sapozhok

If a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is diagnosed, plaster is applied in most cases. Often, gypsum is made by the type of boot from the upper third of the shin to the ends of the fingers. Such fixation is necessary to ensure the immobility of bone fragments and their correct location, to protect against various external mechanical influences. The period of wearing gypsum in case of fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is 1-1.5 months.

Orthosis on the foot with a fracture of metatarsal bones

In mild cases without displacement, it is allowed to use a foot stopper in case of a metatarsal bone fracture - orthosis. This device, made of polymer materials, designed for stabilization, fixation and unloading of the foot. From an aesthetic point of view, orthosis is more acceptable, but more reliable is gypsum. If there is more than one bone fracture, there are displacements, then this variant of immobilization is unacceptable.

Treatment of metatarsal bone fracture folk remedies

If a fracture of the foot is received, the treatment prescribed by the doctor can be supplemented with folk recipes. Local procedures during the period of wearing plaster bandages are not carried out, but it is recommended to use medicines inside to accelerate the coalescence of bone tissue, reduce soreness and relieve inflammation. Here is one of the recipes.

Tincture for fast bone splicing

Ingredients:

• root of comfrey medicinal (ground) - 1 table. a spoon;
• water - 1 glass.

Preparation and use:

1. Raw pour boiling water.
2. Let it brew to cool, drain.
3. Take 1-2 teaspoonfuls three times a day for a month.

How many heals the fracture of the metatarsus of the foot?

On average, an open and closed fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is overgrown within 6-8 weeks. The way the metatarsal bone heals, depends on several factors that determine the individual regenerative abilities of the body:

• the level of calcium in the body;
• the presence of chronic pathologies that prevent tissue from fusing;
• age of the patient;
• observance of medical prescriptions.

Rehabilitation after a fracture of the metatarsal bones of the foot

After removing the plaster bandage, when the splicing of bones is confirmed by X-ray, the rehabilitation period follows. Restoration after fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot lasts about three to five weeks or more. During this period, it is required to develop the muscles and tendons of the foot, normalize the mobility of the joints, prepare them for the load. At first, when walking, it is necessary to rest only on the heel, gradually putting the whole foot on the floor. It may be recommended to bandage the foot with an elastic bandage, wearing orthopedic shoes with a hard sole or an insoles insole.

The complex of rehabilitation measures includes:

• improving gymnastics;
• massage;
• physiotherapy;
• high-grade food.

How to develop a foot after a fracture of metatarsal bones?

To accelerate the recovery time, special exercises are recommended after fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot. Let's give a set of basic exercises, each of which should be performed 10-15 times:

1. Extension and bending of the toes.
2. Turn left and right.
3. Pulling the feet away from yourself and towards yourself.
4. Transferring the weight of the body to the toe and back (in the first days, this exercise should be done sitting, then - with support on the back of the chair, and then - in a standing position).
5. Circular rotation with stops clockwise and counterclockwise.
6. Rolling of a thick roller with the feet back and forth.
7. Cross legs with legs in a prone position.

Foot massage after a metatarsal bone fracture

The development of the foot after fracture of the metatarsal bone through massage is aimed at activating blood circulation and lymph drainage, improving the nutrition of damaged tissues. If there is no possibility to go to the procedures in a medical institution, gentle massage can be performed independently, applying circular, longitudinal and transverse strokes with tips and knuckles of the fingers. You need to knead the inner and outer parts of the foot, fingers.

Consequences of metatarsal bone fracture

In case of inadequate therapy or neglect of the rehabilitation process, the consequences of a fracture of the foot may be as follows:

• chronic soreness in the foot;
• arthrosis ;
• flat feet ;
• deformation of the foot;
• formation of bony projections;
• limitation of the mobility of the foot.