Jones Fracture need fitness advice.

[Crusader8207]

So last week I decided to upgrade my running shoes and went to a retailer who offered 3d imagery of my feet to get some good shoes. The gal at the store sold me a pair of New Balance 860s. I proceeded to go home, put them on and take a run. About a mile in, I felt pain so sharp that I couldn't go any further. I had to stop and could barely get home. That evening the pain was so bad, I needed crutches to get around. The next morning, I contacted a podiatrist to see if they could determine what was going on. They told me they could get me in the following Thursday (this was Wednesday the week before my appointment). Thinking it was plantar fasciitis, I proceeded to do stretches and ice to try to loosen it up. I did work in the yard over the weekend and even went out of town for work and walked a mile to a restaurant. Fast forward to my appointment, the Dr took x rays and told me I had a fracture of the #5 metatarsal. The injury is known as a Jones Fracture. Dr advised me that I need a boot and can not put any pressure on it for fear of making it worse. In addition, he suggests surgery to put a screw in my foot. Needless to say, I am getting a second opinion for the surgery. With that being said, I have been doing a 5X5 strength training program consisting of squats, deadlifts, overhead press, bench press, and a few other compound exercises (4 days a week). On my rest days, I do cardio: 125 kettle bell swings, 4 circuits of battle ropes, and 30 min of jump rope. now that I have an injury, I can not put pressure on my foot and much of my strength program is kinda put on the back burner. Any suggestions on how I should frame my workouts while I recover? I am really hoping to avoid surgery, and want to stay "in the game" and am willing to do what it takes to do so.

[HCM]

So last week I decided to upgrade my running shoes and went to a retailer who offered 3d imagery of my feet to get some good shoes. The gal at the store sold me a pair of New Balance 860s. I proceeded to go home, put them on and take a run. About a mile in, I felt pain so sharp that I couldn't go any further. I had to stop and could barely get home. That evening the pain was so bad, I needed crutches to get around. The next morning, I contacted a podiatrist to see if they could determine what was going on. They told me they could get me in the following Thursday (this was Wednesday the week before my appointment). Thinking it was plantar fasciitis, I proceeded to do stretches and ice to try to loosen it up. I did work in the yard over the weekend and even went out of town for work and walked a mile to a restaurant. Fast forward to my appointment, the Dr took x rays and told me I had a fracture of the #5 metatarsal. The injury is known as a Jones Fracture. Dr advised me that I need a boot and can not put any pressure on it for fear of making it worse. In addition, he suggests surgery to put a screw in my foot. Needless to say, I am getting a second opinion for the surgery. With that being said, I have been doing a 5X5 strength training program consisting of squats, deadlifts, overhead press, bench press, and a few other compound exercises (4 days a week). On my rest days, I do cardio: 125 kettle bell swings, 4 circuits of battle ropes, and 30 min of jump rope. now that I have an injury, I can not put pressure on my foot and much of my strength program is kinda put on the back burner. Any suggestions on how I should frame my workouts while I recover? I am really hoping to avoid surgery, and want to stay "in the game" and am willing to do what it takes to do so.

Do you have access to a pool ? Swimming is the best thing I can think of.

You may find sucking it up and doing surgery and PT will ultimately get you back where you want to be quicker than the alternatives.

[Crusader8207]

Do you have access to a pool ? Swimming is the best thing I can think of.

You may find sucking it up and doing surgery and PT will ultimately get you back where you want to be quicker than the alternatives.

I have a pool at the house can definitely do that. If Dr #2 says that surgery is the best option and quickest recovery, I will go that way for sure.

[Jason M]

PM sent

[HCM]

I'm curious whether or not the shoes played any part in the fracture.

[Crusader8207]

PM sent

Received, will reach out Monday. I appreciate it.

[Crusader8207]

I'm curious whether or not the shoes played any part in the fracture.

According to the Dr the shoe caused me to put undue stress on the outside of my foot, causing the fracture. I did go back to the store and they gave me a pair of shoes with a neutral sole. I eluded to them in my discussion about the shoes causing my fracture but they would not really comment just gave me the replacements at no charge.

[DpdG]

Had a Jones fracture a number of years back (at age 25) and avoided surgery after wearing a knee-high medical boot for a month, then another month with the stiffest regular boots I could find. After the 2 months they took another x-ray and basically said “we don’t know if it’ll hold, but one way to find out...” Fortunately it held.

The problem with the Jones fracture is there is little blood flow in the area so the rate of healing is quite slow. I tried to hasten that by low impact movement- stationary bike, swimming, etc throughout the first couple months. With the benefit of hindsight, I’d prefer the surgery as it’s faster and more likely to be successful than the route I took.

[Crusader8207]

Had a Jones fracture a number of years back (at age 25) and avoided surgery after wearing a knee-high medical boot for a month, then another month with the stiffest regular boots I could find. After the 2 months they took another x-ray and basically said “we don’t know if it’ll hold, but one way to find out...” Fortunately it held.

The problem with the Jones fracture is there is little blood flow in the area so the rate of healing is quite slow. I tried to hasten that by low impact movement- stationary bike, swimming, etc throughout the first couple months. With the benefit of hindsight, I’d prefer the surgery as it’s faster and more likely to be successful than the route I took.

I appreciate your insight. Definitely good information. I have read about the lack of blood flow and slow recovery time.

[Crusader8207]

So, went to the orthopedic surgeon this morning for a second opinion. He said surgery is a last option. He would prefer to let it heal on its own and re x ray in 6 weeks. If it hasn't healed in that time frame, then he would do electronic stimulation, and then finally surgery. He advised it could take up to 16 weeks for this to heal. In the mean time, the next 6 weeks will be "Non weight bearing" so I get to use one of those really cool scooters, or crutches, or an I Walk 2.0.

Regarding exercise, I went through the Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding and found every exercise that could be done from a seated position. I have put together a 4 day program with all of them. Unfortunately, I won't be able to deadlift or squat for a while. I also did battle ropes seated yesterday and got one heck of a workout. So, I will see how it goes.

[DpdG]

I should have included that in my first reply- the first month was supposed to be non-weight bearing. The second was weight bearing, but very very light duty and no strenuous loading of the injured foot. The next couple months were very slowing getting back to normal usage. Injury was early December- by late March/early April I felt pretty normal, if a little gun-shy. The first couple months of x-rays were creepy- the bone looked light a cased hot dog with bone growth very clearly not more than surface deep.

[Poconnor]

I hope you get better quickly. I had a fracture of my 5th metatarsal over 15 years ago. It still bothers me. From my experience I would take a look at your shoes. I had to go to a bigger size and wide sizes. I currently am wearing zero drop shoes with a wide toe box. In the beginning i went to the stiffest boot I could find.(meindl boots) don’t worry about the size. Find a brand that works for you and use that as a size comparison for different brands. The last five years my feet have been much better. I started wearing flip flops 24/7 and working on strengthening my feet to including spreading my toes and balancing on one foot. I also stopped long runs went to using an elliptical.

Unfortunately for me it happened in the Army so I got the usual drink water, take Motrin , here is your profile limp dick. Diagnosis by 19 year old PFC medic with the giant symptom book. I did get an X-ray by the medics using a portable X-ray machine. It’s always nice to be a live training opportunity. They said it wasn’t broken. I limped on it for three months until I finally got a podiatrist appointment. He had a weight bearing X-ray done. The bad news was it was fractured straight through. The good news was it had healed. The bad bad news it healed crooked and was rubbing a nerve. It feels like a popsicle stick is in my shoe. If I walk too much It hurts but then goes numb and progresses to all my toes going numb on that foot. I just happy it’s not worse

[Crusader8207]

I hope you get better quickly. I had a fracture of my 5th metatarsal over 15 years ago. It still bothers me. From my experience I would take a look at your shoes. I had to go to a bigger size and wide sizes. I currently am wearing zero drop shoes with a wide toe box. In the beginning i went to the stiffest boot I could find.(meindl boots) don’t worry about the size. Find a brand that works for you and use that as a size comparison for different brands. The last five years my feet have been much better. I started wearing flip flops 24/7 and working on strengthening my feet to including spreading my toes and balancing on one foot. I also stopped long runs went to using an elliptical.

Unfortunately for me it happened in the Army so I got the usual drink water, take Motrin , here is your profile limp dick. Diagnosis by 19 year old PFC medic with the giant symptom book. I did get an X-ray by the medics using a portable X-ray machine. It’s always nice to be a live training opportunity. They said it wasn’t broken. I limped on it for three months until I finally got a podiatrist appointment. He had a weight bearing X-ray done. The bad news was it was fractured straight through. The good news was it had healed. The bad bad news it healed crooked and was rubbing a nerve. It feels like a popsicle stick is in my shoe. If I walk too much It hurts but then goes numb and progresses to all my toes going numb on that foot. I just happy it’s not worse

Ugh sounds terrible. Glad you healed up though. I'm currently wearing a walking boot and trying to use the scooter as much as I can. I will definitely work on balance and strengthening my feet when this is all over. The battle ropes seem to be a pretty good form of cardio. No more running for me for a while. sue to my high arch, the doc wants me to have supportive insoles and told me to not wear flip flops. He does however want me in shoes with a very firm sole. told me for casual, Birkenstocks are pretty supportive.

[Poconnor]

My podiatrist made me prescription insoles because my arch went from normal to flat. They helped pretty much right away by forcing my arches back into the correct shape but I really didn’t start feeling better until I ditched the insoles for flip flops and stretched out my toes and strengthened my feet. I actually have an arch again. I admit that I no longer beat up my feet like I used to and that plays a huge part. My goal was to be to walk normally in my old age. The days of running eight miles everyday after duty for fun ended when I broke that bone. I think you are on the right track. Stay active and do what feels right