Can you walk on a fractured 5th metatarsal?
David Perry
Updated on May 29, 2026
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.
What does a 5th metatarsal fracture feel like?
The most common symptoms of an acute fifth metatarsal fracture include pain, swelling and tenderness on the outside of the foot, as well as difficulty walking. In some cases, bruising may occur.
Can you walk with a metatarsal fracture?
A patient with a broken metatarsal may be able to walk, depending on how painful the injury is. Despite this, the patient with a metatarsal fracture is advised to avoid excessive walking, especially on uneven ground, to eliminate the risk of displacement.
How painful is a 5th metatarsal fracture?
Sudden pain along the outside of your foot is the main symptom. A stress fracture may develop more slowly. You may feel chronic pain for a period of time. Your foot may also swell up and bruise.
How long until you can walk on a broken 5th metatarsal?
There are five metatarsal bones in each foot, you have fractured the fifth which is on the outer edge of the foot. This is a common 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.
31 related questions foundWill 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 do I know if I broke a bone in my foot metatarsal?
Symptoms
- Immediate, throbbing pain.
- Pain that increases with activity and decreases with rest.
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Tenderness.
- Deformity.
- Difficulty in walking or bearing weight.
How do I know if I broke my 5th metacarpal?
Symptoms of a metacarpal fracture usually include one or more of the following:
- Hand pain and tenderness to touch (over the back of the hand or palm)
- Hand swelling.
- Hand bruising.
- Hand pain / grinding when making a fist.
- Hand deformity (fingers may not line up normally when making a fist)
Can you move your toes with a broken metatarsal?
Consequences of Improper Broken Toe Treatment
In fact, if a fractured toe or metatarsal bone is not treated correctly, serious complications may develop. For example: A deformity in the bony architecture, which may limit the ability to move the foot or cause difficulty in fitting shoes.
What do they do for a broken 5th metatarsal?
A fifth metatarsal fracture is a common injury where the bone connecting your ankle to your little toe breaks. These fractures occur from injury, overuse or high arches. Providers can treat your broken bone with a cast, boot or shoe — or with surgery.
Can you break a bone in your foot and still be able to walk on it?
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.
Can you walk with a hairline fracture in your foot?
Your doctor may recommend that you use crutches to keep weight off an injured foot or leg. You can also wear protective footwear or a cast. Because it usually takes up to six to eight weeks to completely heal from a hairline fracture, it's important to modify your activities during that time.
Can you sprain your fifth metatarsal?
A break in the fifth metatarsal usually occurs from an injury where the foot and ankle are twisted downward and inward. The tendon that attaches to the base of the fifth metatarsal may stretch and pull a fragment of bone away from the base.
How do I know if my foot is sprained or fractured?
In general, a broken foot tends to be more painful than a sprained foot, and the pain lasts longer. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are also more severe if your foot is broken. Another way to tell the difference between a broken foot and sprained foot is the sound the body makes when the injury occurs.
Can you move your finger with a broken metacarpal?
Their hand will be very painful, maximally so over the specific metacarpal bone that is fractured. There will be swelling, often a considerable amount, as well as bruising directly over the injury. They may have difficulty moving the fingers due to the amount of pain from the fracture.
Does a 5th metatarsal fracture need a cast?
The the long bones in your foot are called metatarsals. They are numbered from 1 to 5. This fracture is at the base of the 5th metatarsal, which is where the name comes from. The break has occurred in a part of the bone that normally heals without a problem, so you won't need to have a plaster cast.
Is a metacarpal fracture painful?
When you've fractured a metacarpal bone, you will probably have pain when you try to form a fist, and you may also find that your fingers are stiff. Other symptoms that can suggest that you've suffered a metacarpal fracture include: Immediate pain in the hand.
What does a metatarsal fracture feel like?
Acute metatarsal fracture
May make an audible sound at the time of the break and you will usually have immediate pain and tenderness around the area of the fracture. The pain is often called 'pinpoint pain' as it is quite well localised at the site of impact to the bone.
How do you rehab a broken 5th metatarsal?
Put your affected foot about a step behind your other foot. Keeping your back leg straight and your back heel on the floor, bend your front knee and gently bring your hip and chest toward the wall until you feel a stretch in the calf of your back leg. Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 2 to 4 times.
What does a stress fracture feel like in your foot?
The most common symptom of a stress fracture in the foot or ankle is pain. The pain usually develops gradually and worsens during weight-bearing activity. Other symptoms may include: Pain that diminishes during rest.
Can you walk if your patella is fractured?
In most cases, patients can walk while the bone heals as long as the brace keeps the knee straight during ambulation. Most patients use crutches, a walker or a cane for stability during the healing process.
How can I tell if I have a hairline fracture in my knee?
Hairline fracture is characterized by pain in the affected area that tends to become extreme with time. Consider visiting an orthopedic specialist if you experience pain that becomes intense when exercising, but reduces when you rest. The affected area may also feel tender and appear swollen.
Can you get a hairline fracture in your knee?
A patellar fracture is a crack or break in the kneecap. This break can be as simple as a tiny hairline crack, but depending on the nature of the force, it may also shatter into many pieces. Most patellar fractures are caused by falls; patients land hard on the knee, causing the break.
How do I know if my knee injury is serious?
How do you know if your knee injury is serious?
- Your Knee is Swollen. It might not be a big deal if your knee has a small amount of fluid present. ...
- You Heard a Pop. ...
- You Can't Stand on Your Leg. ...
- Your Knee Buckled or Gave-Way. ...
- Your Knee is Locked. ...
- You Can't Fully Straighten Your Knee. ...
- Your Knee Hurts at A Very Specific Point.
Do stress fractures show up on xrays?
X-rays. Stress fractures often can't be seen on regular X-rays taken shortly after your pain begins. It can take several weeks — and sometimes longer than a month — for evidence of stress fractures to show on X-rays.