Broken Foot Bone (Metatarsal Fracture): How to Care for Your Child

Most metatarsal fractures heal completely within 6 weeks. You can help your child to be comfortable while the bone is healing. 

The metatarsals are the five long bones in the foot that connect the toes to the ankle. Your child has a fracture (break) in one or more of these bones. A metatarsal fracture usually happens when a heavy object lands on the foot. It also can be caused by a fall or a jump. 

The health care provider talked to you and your child, did an examination, and ordered X-rays. Because a fracture was found on the X-rays, a splint or special boot was placed to keep the bone(s) from moving during healing.

A splint (and sometimes a boot) is replaced with a cast after a few days when the swelling goes down. But often a boot can be used for the whole treatment of a metatarsal fracture, usually for 3–6 weeks. 

Your child will follow up with an orthopedic doctor (bone specialist), who will let you know how long the cast or boot needs to be worn.   

• Prop the injured foot up on pillows to keep it above heart level as much as possible for the first few days.

• Place ice or cold compresses wrapped in a towel over the injured foot to help with pain and swelling. Do not place ice directly on the skin.

• Don't allow your child to put weight on the injured foot until a health care provider says it's OK.

• If your child was given crutches, make sure they're used as instructed. 

• If your child was given a boot, follow the health care provider's instructions for when it can be removed.

• If your child was given a splint, keep it clean and dry. To protect it:

  • Keep dirt, sand, lotions, and powder away.

  • Don't let your child scratch under the splint or put anything in it.

  • Give sponge baths to kids under 5 years old.

  • Older kids should bathe instead of shower.

  • Cover it with a bag taped shut when your child bathes, and prop it on something, like a milk crate, to keep it completely out of the water.

  • If it is accidentally splashed, dry wet edges with a hairdryer on the "cool" setting.

• For pain, a medication may help your child feel better. You may give acetaminophen OR ibuprofen, if recommended by your health care provider.

• Talk to the health care provider about when your child can return to normal activities.

• Follow up with the orthopedic doctor as recommended.

• Your child's pain continues or gets worse while taking pain medicine.

• Your child develops a fever with no other symptoms.

• The splint feels too tight or too loose, comes off, or is damaged or wet.

• The skin around the splint looks red or raw.

• Your child develops severe pain, numbness, or tingling in the injured foot.

• The foot or toes turn blue.

• The splint has a foul smell or drainage coming from it.