Discussion: 5th Metatarsal

Does anyone have experience with a fractured 5th metatarsal? I've read that it's more common in people who:
(a) exercise long hours,
(b) run on uneven ground, or
(c) have turned their ankles at some point.

In other words, most of us on AP!

I'm wondering about a sharp point-pain on the bottom of my foot at the 5th metatarsal that has been there in the background for several weeks. It's been my experience that doctors usually say about any bone, "Oh, you would definitely KNOW if you'd broken it." And it's not that bad, since I'm able to run and ski without noticing it. But if I'm in bare feet and happen to put weight on that side of my foot - yeeeOWwww! I think (hope) there are other possibilities, like an inflamed ligament. Or maybe, like most orienteering-related damage, it will slowly fade away if I just ignore it...?

I fractured mine coming down on the side of my foot in a basketball game. I knew it (I heard a pop). Then it was very painful to put weight on that side of the foot. The fracture was very small.

My recommendation is to find yourself a doctor, preferably someone versed in sports medicine. And if you're on a health plan, shame on you if you haven't consulted one already!

Check out this discussion on the "Fourth Metatarsal" last spring: http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionthread.jsp/me...
It may provide some hints.

The 5th metatarsal - isn't that the piddy that went wee wee weeee all the way home? Or is it the one that ate roast beef? I get them confused all the time.

s the subject of that last topic, i'll provide a little update...
I got an X-ray which showed nothing unusual. Doctor said bah get Sorbothane insoles. I did. They help reduce some of the impact.

I think most of the problems I had were due to bruising, although I'm not sure. my 4th MT on the left foot is a bit prominent - cause or effect I don't know.

O-shoes are a major cause. Twisters last around two months max before the stiffness of the sole gives in and I feel every stone and branch and Dobb spikes start disappearing...... for O-shoes over 2 months old I now view Sorbothane insoles (or equivalent) as essential.

Other than that... limit running to five or six hours a week and do some cross-training.

It may not fade away, but if it doesn't get worse you may learn to ignore it :)

And if it's acute try a bit of rest.

Thanks, folks. I don't own O-shoes, but I might be a victim of something much more dangerous: Fashionable Winter Boots. As I think back on it, I think this began after a long day of Christmas shopping in thin-soled footwear - perfect for bruising. From my reading, a bone bruise can progress to a stress fracture if the problem is not removed, so it's best to keep an eye on it and not abuse it too much.

And no, I'm not using AP to replace medical advice! But during a recent bout of knee trouble, I found it informative to compare notes with other athletes as well as doctors, since the medical professionals usually haven't experienced these injuries themselves.

Bash's question prompts me to pipe up after being a long-time reader of this site. I had fifth met pain that started while trail running and continued for 2 - 3 years. A fracture was ruled out, and I went through a succession of sports-oriented podiatrists as various orthotics didn't work and the pain spread to different parts of my foot. Running hurt it more, but resting didn't really seem to help. It was particularly frustrating to be in constant pain and not have there be a well-known diagnosis with a proven remedy. The general consensus was that I have high arches and the metatarsal was probably getting bruised on impact. I think some of the pain in other parts of the foot was caused by the attempted cures (which were mainly variants of hard orthotics).

Anyway, my latest podiatrist has me outfitted in semi-soft orthotics that, in addition to supporting the arch, elevate the 5th and 1st mets (putting more weight on the middle three). After six months in those, and with cushioned shoes and less running, the problem seems under control if not cured. Good luck - it may take a while, but don't despair.

My wife had foot pain for several years and tried the usual remedies like orthotics to no avail. Finally, Marie-Cat (aka Barbie) diagnosed it as tight butt muscles! Paula did some suggested stretches and instantly the pain went away. The theory is that some nerves that travel through the glutes and attach way down in the foot were getting constricted. Pinched nerves cause pain at their insertion point. So try a stretch if all other things fail, you might get lucky.

Sounds to me, it could be plantar fasciitis. I had this two years ago, started also in the winter. It takes time & patience to heal it.
I found some information at : http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/987116429.html

I began to be cautious with downhill running, went on softer surfaces, did some stretching as recommended. And I kept running, in a gentle way, no jumping over trees and rocks.

Wait a minute - you're Canadian! Why don't you just go in for a free X-ray and be sure?

On a serious note, stress fractures are not the same as overt fractures (although they can become overt fractures if aggrevated). I ran on a stress fracture in the 4th MT with only mild discomfort for a few weeks before it snapped in two. Would have healed better and more quickly if I had realized it wasn't just a bruise.