From the research I have being doing, the 5th metatarsal is one of five of the slowest healing bones in the body due to weight bearing stresses, poor circulation, edema and swelling due to gravity and  that it is a long bone.  All said, I am so glad I went ahead and got this Diapulse machine, bone stimulator and magnets.  Every little bit helps.  Thanks everybody for helping get over this "annoying broken foot" as quickly as possible.  I want to give special thanks and appreciation to my wife and two boys for putting up with me these past 6 weeks. Even with your upcoming test, you have been there for me no matter what. I know I have been a grump at the house and you guys have done such an amazing job keeping me focused on healing, staying positive and doing everything around the house for me.  Thank you Jack and Cathy for your continued support, ideas and equipment helping me get this foot healed as quickly and efficiently as possible.    Thank you Sasha and Stephanie for keeping my office running smoothly and effectively while I have been injured. Just as if I were there every day.  You girls are a real blessing. Thank you Nurse Linda for keeping my spirits uplifting and being part of the walking wounded team. Thank you Dr. Bothwell, Dr. Kirk and Angelica for your help and patience with my foot and my healing.  Thank you Tony Ulrich And your Diapulse machine.  Thank you to all of my patients (well, almost all) for being understanding a patient will my progress as I get well.  Last but not least by any measure, thank you Mom and Dad for being there for me always giving advice and support whenever I need it and giving me very needed assistance in the office so I stay off of my foot.

Jason Roberts

FROM AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPEDIC SPORTS MEDICINE:

Fractures of the Distal Shaft of the Fifth Metatarsal (this is my fracture) also termed (Martha's Vineyard Fracture)

"Dancer's Fracture"

Martin J. O'Malley, MD

The Hospital for Special Surgery

William G. Hamilton, MD

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, The Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York

John Munyak, MD

The Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York

Abstract

We retrospectively reviewed the office records of the senior author—which include two national ballet companies—and identified 35 dancers who sustained distal shaft fractures of the fifth metatarsal. The usual fracture pattern is a spiral, oblique fracture starting distal-lateral and running proximal-medial. Treatment consisted of open reduction and internal fixation for 2 patients, closed reduction and percutaneus fixation for 2 patients, short leg weight bearing cast for 7 patients, and an elastic wrap and treatment of symptoms for 24 patients. 

Patients with marked displacement of the fracture underwent internal fixation early in the study period; but more recent treatment emphasized non-operative means, even for displaced fractures. The average time to pain free walking was 6.1 weeks (range, 0 to 16)--(0-16 weeks until they could walk pain free...YIKES!!!!);return to basic exercises, 11.6 weeks (range, 4 to 48); and return to performance, 19 weeks (range, 6 to 52)--(6-52 weeks before I can run and lift weights--DOUBLE YIKES!!!)  HOPEFULLY IM AM ON THE FAST SIDE OF THE BELL CURVE WHEN IT COMES TO HEALING.  

There was one delayed union (7 months) and one refracture (2 months) that subsequently healed. All patients returned to professional performance without limitation and no patient reported pain with performance at follow-up. Spiral fractures of the distal shaft of the fifth metatarsal are common injuries and can usually be treated non-operatively for these high performance athletes without long-term functional sequelae.