OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.
Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who had a filing cabinet fall on their foot and fracture their toe.
Today she helps a reader who suffers from a metatarsal injury[/caption]
Q) HOW long does a metatarsal injury take to heal?
I was told about seven to eight weeks and if it hasn’t healed, then maybe an operation will be needed to repair it.
A filing cabinet fell on the left side of my foot and my small toe was fractured.
A) That description sounds very painful. The metatarsals are the five long bones in each foot that connect the toes to the main part of the foot and ankle.
Generally a metatarsal fracture heals in about six to eight weeks if it is minor and non-displaced, meaning the bone pieces are still in place.
During this healing period, a removable boot or cast is usually supplied to immobilise the foot and protect the bone.
It’s also advisable to limit weight-bearing, typically using crutches for the first week or two to avoid putting pressure on the healing bone.
It is normal for pain and swelling to continue for three to six months, even after the bones have fully healed, and a follow-up X-ray confirms the fracture has mended.
But it is important to have it checked if pain persists.
Occasionally, if a fracture fails to heal properly, this is when surgery may be required.
The operation typically involves using screws or plates to internally fix the bone fragments in place, providing the necessary stability for the bone to finally mend correctly.
TIP
Children in England can now get flu vaccines at the pharmacy.
The nasal spray offered to two and three-year-olds will be available at 4,000 chemists around the country.
The vaccinations can be booked on the NHS app or website, or through their GP practice.
