This leaflet contains discharge advice following your attendance to the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) or Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).
The following advice will guide you through the next 6 weeks of your recovery. Use the information within this leaflet to gain a better understanding of your injury and what can be done to improve and maximise your recovery.
Discharge advice
You have recently sustained an inury to your foot. You have been diagnosed with a fracture (break) to the base of your 5th Metatarsal bone which is on the outside of your foot.
Your fracture is situated in a part of the bone which normally heals well without a problem.
The pain, tenderness and swelling that you are experiencing in the foot should gradually settle down over a period of several weeks.
During this time you may find walking on the foot painful, it may help to walk on your heel initially.
Though not always required, you may be provided with a support for your foot. This may be a removable boot or a wool and crepe bandage. If required you will be provided with crutches but this is not always needed.
You may walk on the foot as much as the pain allows. If you have been provided with a boot then you can try to wean out ot the boot as you near the 6 weeks post injury point.
Most injuries heal without any problems, however it can take up to 12 weeks for your symptoms to completely settle.
Occasionally the fracture may fail to heal and continue to be painful, even after several months. A surgical procedure may be required at this stage to help heal the fracture.
Should you have any worries or concerns following discharge from your local hospital, please contact:
Fracture Line - 8:30am - 5:30pm, Monday to Friday - 0161 778 5372
Emergency Departments (Out of hours):
Fairfield General Hospital - 0161 778 2600
Royal Oldham Hospital - 0161 627 8933
Rochdale Infirmary - 01706 517023
Date of Review: December 2023
Date of Next Review: December 2025
Ref No: PI_M_1225 (Oldham)