Question
QUESTION: Nov 1, 2009 I broke my 5th Matatarsal at the joint (hit by the puck during a hockey game).  I kept the removalble cast on for eight weeks (took it off for sleeping) until Dec 23, 2009.  Over the last 2-3 weeks that I had the cast on I felt like there was some kind of mass forming under the middle of the ball of my foot.  Now that I am walking on the foot, it is quite painful to walk on the ball of my foot.  The side of my foot (near joint of the matatarsal bone) is tender but not as tender as this lump under the ball of my foot.  
Any ideas about what I can do to deal with this?

Thanks
Dick

ANSWER: Sorry my friend-but I only answer public questions-so that everyone may benefit!
You are welcome to resubmit.
Thank-you for your understanding.
Regards
Dr George Tsatsos

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Please make it a public question then

Thanks

Answer
This Chicago & Elmhurst Podiatrist says.....
You are having movement of the foot fracture site. Bones add a bony bridge over the fracture site to stop movement and allow healing. This is called a bone callus and will continue to grow with movement-but reabsorb when the metatarsal fracture is no longer moving. Must Be Movement & Pain Free!!!
Fifth metatarsal fractures are also notoriously slow healers and can take several months. The lump may also be an irritation of the muscle in the ball of your foot or an additional fracture-perhaps of another metatarsal. If you are not completely pain free with the removable cast-then it is moving. If you can get it to be pain free-then the healing should occur. If the lump seems to be growing-then have it rechecked for the above. Must Be Movement Free!!!
There are Podiatrists in Canada and you should seek one that is Board Certified in Surgery or Orthopedics . They will be able to give you the best read on the x-rays and best course of treatment. Sometimes these injuries improve with physical therapy-I recommend ultrasound-which has the best effects on these kind of injuries-whether bone or muscle.

Hope this helps!
Good Luck My Friend!

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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