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Free Medical Advice sponsored by
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Got an ache or pain? Have a question about a prescription or over-the-counter drug? Looking for some FREE medical advice?
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Question:
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| I recently broke the 5th metatarsal in my foot. So far as I understand, bones quit growing, so my question is how do broken bones heal in adults?
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Answer:
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Dear David,
Thankyou for your inquiry. In adults bones do not grow in length, but they still have the ability to repair a fracture albeit slower than in a child or adolescent. A fracture of the 5 th metataursal can heal , but immobilization is very important in this fracture of the foot. If the casting cannot be accomplished so as to prevent movement of the bone, there is a higher incidence of what we term malunion ie failure of the bone to join, and produce adequate callous (repair) bone formation. In the event of this a surgical repair/stabilization is needed. An opinion from an orthopedic surgeon is recommended for this fracture. I hope this information helps you.
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