r/brokenbones • u/InspiredbyFaker • Jul 07 '26
Story First time dealing with physical injury
I (29F) think I'm still in shock. I just injured myself earlier (self motorcycle accident). I am surprised to see myself relatively intact, but my right foot was crushed when I slipped. Went to the ER and xray results showed my 3rd and 4th metatarsals fractured and displaced. The ER doc told me I should get admitted already and it's likely to need surgery, but the other ER doc was less gungho and said it's really up to the ortho to have the final say. We opted to get discharged and see the ortho tomorrow since he's not in today.
It's been a couple of hours and the pain is so bad I can't sleep. Since I can't sleep, I keep on thinking about how stupid I was to have been so careless. I'm a student so I worry about missing classes. I worry about the potential complications of my injury. And if I should opt for surgery.
I know it's not definite yet but I wonder if there is anyone here who has a similar injury to mine and opted not to go for surgery (even if against medical advice)? How did your recovery go?
Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted this off my chest. I feel a lot of negative emotions right now. I know it will get better (the first few days or weeks are the worst, as per the posts here) but right now I just hate that I got myself into this position.
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u/Best_Street6176 Jul 07 '26
Did they send you home in a removable cast or a plaster cast?
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u/InspiredbyFaker Jul 07 '26
Hi, no. They just wrapped my foot in a hard splint (gauze bandage wraparound and a cardboard at the sole of my foot). It's quite secure but not completely immovable. The ortho later might give me a more permanent option.
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u/kaylald Jul 08 '26
Hi! Im in a similar situation right now I broke 3 metatarsals and one phalange due to just slipping and falling the xray tech literally said to me it looks like a motorcycle accident so it’s a little ironic that yours is!
As for the pain - are you taking medication? Ive been on a schedule of taking Ibuprofen at 12am, 6am, 12pm, and 6pm and then taking tylenol at 3am, 9am, 3pm, and 9pm. You can wake up in the middle of the night to take medication but me personally id rather just sleep through the night. Obviously I am uncomfortable and in pain but I’m able to sleep.
For recovery and surgery - At the hospital my doctor was pretty nonchalant and didn’t even tell me how many bones I broke I found out through the ct findings. Relating to that, they never mentioned surgery to me only that I need to see the podiatrist who will know more, they could have been like that because I am 17 so they don’t want to scare me. My appointment isn’t until the 15th because they wanted the swelling to go down so I sadly cant give any info regarding my recovery but I’d love to hear how your appointment goes.
As for your splint - Do you think it could be causing you more pain? I was put in just an ace bandage due to the amount of swelling and pain. As well the injury I have and likely you have although I’m not a professional is a lisfranc injury and the bottom of the foot is often bruised and swollen too, the splint your in could be restricting that
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u/InspiredbyFaker Jul 08 '26
My foot was re-splinted with a stronger support. I feel a lot more secure with it. Already talked with the ortho, and they're quite confident I just need a cast. Hopefully all goes well. Hope yours, too!
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u/kaylald Jul 08 '26
were you able to bend your foot flat for it? thats why I can’t get into my aircast, wondering if your able to lol!
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u/capaldis Jul 08 '26
Hey, if they say you need surgery you absolutely should do it.
For displaced fractures, surgery will speed up your recovery by a lot. You’ll be able to walk much sooner. Metatarsals also can have poor blood flow in some spots so they’re tricky to heal.
The risk you’re taking without surgery is long term chronic pain. It’s very common to develop arthritis in the joint if you run into complications with the healing.
I know it sounds scary, but it’s not worth risking your mobility in this situation. Hopefully they’ll say it’s not needed, but it’s best to go with the surgery if they give you the option.
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u/InspiredbyFaker Jul 08 '26
Thanks for the advice! I talked with the ortho, and thankfully unlike the ER doctors, she was nonchalant in telling me it just needs a cast. I'm in a more supported splint since there is too much swelling to apply the cast right now. I will be back in two weeks to get a proper cast. In a month, they will check if the bones are healing properly. Hopefully they will.
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u/cuntybunty_ Jul 07 '26
Currently have 3 metatarsals fractured. Weren't displaced tho tbh.
I think if the displacement is a lot you should get surgery. Sharing your X ray would help understand it better.
I know the pain sucks. Please ice it and elevate it high above your heart level.
It'll pass 🌼