The metatarsal bone, the photo of which is given in the article, is located between the fingers and the tarsus. It connects several bone tissues at once, each of them has a head, body and base. In the article we will consider anatomy, injuries, their treatment and rehabilitation.
Structure
As mentioned above, the described bone consists of several. The first of them is the shortest, and the second has longer sizes. Each bone has articular surfaces. The latter are connected using special mold fabrics. The body has 3 sides. They are interconnected.
There are two pads on the first bone. They are necessary in order to strengthen the solid tissue of sesamoid types. The head is pressed from several sides. On the fifth bone there is a tuberosity that is needed to attach tendons. Where the metatarsus is connected to the tarsus, there are special arches. The second is near the heads. The first arch is located near the tarsus. Each of these components performs special functions, in particular, depreciation. With the help of vaults, tissues are not damaged, and a normal amount of blood flows to them.
Thumb pain
The bone can hurt due to the heel, the wrong shoes, problems with the ligamentous apparatus, pathology of the foot. This happens due to the fact that between two fingers there is a large angle. This phenomenon is considered a pathology. Because of this, deformation develops, which is able to progress rapidly. In the event that the metatarsal bone hurts and there is a certain discomfort (inflammation, swelling, redness, and so on), then it is necessary to begin treatment.
Stages of the disease
At the moment, this problem is developing in four stages. The first is characterized by a deviation angle of up to 20 degrees. A person may experience mild discomfort, which he practically does not notice.
If the disease has passed to the second stage, then after a long walk unpleasant sensations will appear. With it, the deviation angle is from 20 to 30 degrees. It brings discomfort.
The third stage is characterized by pathology with an angle of 30 to 50 degrees. A person has not only pain, but also problems with the selection of shoes.
The last stage is the fourth. It is characterized by a deviation of up to 50 degrees. In a person, other fingers begin to deform, and the pain does not stop.
The method of treatment of mild stage
In order to understand what problems there are with the metatarsal bone, an x-ray is necessary. It is imperative to go to an appointment with an orthopedist. He will be able to prescribe the right therapy.
If a person develops the first degree, that is, the disease is at the stage of occurrence, then conservative treatment can be used. There is no need for surgical intervention. The patient is prescribed gymnastics, physiotherapy and some other treatment methods.
Severe Therapy
If it is already about a neglected stage, then most likely you will have to do the operation. During rehabilitation, the doctor recommends fixing the metatarsal bone overnight with a bandage. Thanks to him, the described joint remains in one position. In the daytime it should be removed and use a special pad. When walking, she will neutralize discomfort and reduce pressure.
If after movements the leg gets very tired, then you can use orthopedic insoles. They not only relieve pain in the fracture of the metatarsal bone, but also correctly distribute the load on the foot, joints and spine.
Injuries
With various injuries, a person can develop a fracture of the base of the metatarsal bone. This happens under stresses that she is unable to withstand, and also with osteoporosis. As symptoms, hematomas, lameness, crunch, swelling, pain, and gait problems should be noted. In order to diagnose a fracture, it is necessary to conduct not only an external examination of the damaged area, but also do an x-ray and an MRI.
When providing a person with first aid, all loads on the body should be limited. This is the only way to prevent the development of cracks or fractures. After this, you need to apply a cold compress, which will reduce swelling and pain. In order to prevent frostbite, ice should be kept no longer than 20 minutes. It is advisable to carry out such procedures regularly in the first two days. After their expiration, such a method will be ineffective.
In order to reduce the level of puffiness, bandaging can be used. Do not tighten your leg. Next, you need to raise it. It is recommended to use a pillow or any clothing. It should be noted that with a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot, it is necessary to abandon warm compresses, you can not rub the leg with alcohol, and also do massage. Otherwise, this will lead to the fact that the foot will swell even more.
When prescribing treatment, the doctor will take into account the severity of the disease. If we are talking about light, then put gypsum on the foot. If the patient has a more serious injury, then he will have to walk with crutches or with support on the calcaneal section.
In the presence of a normal crack, the doctor prescribes special insoles that will reduce the load on the foot. The operation is carried out only if there is evidence in the form of significant displacement of fragments.
Fracture or crack rehabilitation
An important issue is rehabilitation for a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot. How long does it last? It depends on the degree of injury the patient has, as well as how quickly the bone heals. A plaster cast will have to be worn for at least five weeks. However, using crutches is not worth the rush. This is due to the fact that complications can occur due to them.
To properly grow the foot, it is necessary to do special therapeutic exercises and baths. The latter are used by adding sea salt. It is important to use orthopedic insoles, which prevent not only a reduction in load, but also the development of flat feet. Such linings in shoes should be worn for at least six months, until the injury is completely overgrown. The first steps after such a pathology will be quite painful. Therefore, it is best to abandon sudden movements. Injury usually heals quickly: no more than 4 weeks. Only the attending physician can tell how much time is needed in a particular case.
Preventive measures
It does not matter where the person is, at home, on the street or at work, in any case, he needs to avoid displacement of the metatarsal bone, as well as other injuries.
To maintain your health, you should definitely eat right. To ensure that the bones are in good condition, it is recommended to use those foods that have a lot of calcium. Be sure to have a sufficient amount of vitamin D in the body. During exercise, and even at elevated body temperature, calcium is washed out. Before you start playing sports, you must do a warm-up. Due to this, there will not be much pressure on the foot. You should give up smoking and alcohol. Bad habits affect not only the bones, but also the lungs and kidneys.
Be sure to monitor your relaxation. A balance must be maintained between work and leisure. So that the metatarsal bone does not suffer, you need to maintain your weight in the norm. To do this, you should abandon smoked, salty, fatty foods, as well as those dishes that have carbohydrates. To lift a heavy object without harming yourself, you must first sit down.
The floors in the house should be safe and non-slip. After all, they can slip and get seriously injured. Often, in this way, many patients receive a closed fracture of the metatarsal bones. To prevent these situations, you can use special rugs or install anti-slip tiles. A carpet or track is also a great solution. Wires need to be removed from free access. In winter, you should carefully walk along the street.
The most important thing in case of any injuries is to see a doctor on time. Sometimes even a serious disease does not manifest itself and does not show itself.
Head offset
The metatarsophalangeal joint has an outer and inner layer. If the head shifts at a given bone, then completely all the tissue appears and is damaged in the patient. In this case, quite serious diseases can develop in parallel.
The head with inflammation increases, begins to grow with a special tissue. If a person has such a problem, then most likely he also has pain during movement. Depending on how serious the disease is, the doctor will select the treatment.
If we are talking about an initial degree, then most likely, a specialist will recommend using arch support insoles. If the disease is at a more advanced stage, then it is treated only with the help of surgical intervention. Typically, the problem is a violation of the first metatarsal bone. She moves away from the necessary place. During the operation, it is placed back in the correct position.
It should be noted that the problem with the shifted bone head is quite serious. Such a disease should not be launched.
If you see a doctor in time, then most likely you will be able to completely get rid of the problem. At the initial stage, the specialist will prescribe the use of more comfortable shoes. Also, a massage appointment is often prescribed. With an advanced disease, you should immediately contact a surgeon.
Rehabilitation period
We have already described how the rehabilitation is carried out with a metatarsal fracture, as well as with fractures. How long such a period will last depends entirely on the method of treatment and the degree of the disease itself. The process of rehabilitation is affected by age and human health.
If the patient has any chronic diseases of a severe type, then completely defeating the pathology will be quite difficult. It will take a lot of time.
After the doctor removes the cast, you must immediately begin to develop the functionality of the foot. It is necessary to massage the feet, and then rub them with special ointments that will relieve swelling. For a certain time, it is advisable to walk with crutches, as they will help reduce pressure on the foot. Even if a person has severe pain, he needs to perform physical gymnastics without fail. A set of exercises is selected only by a rehabilitation doctor. You can go swimming if you wish.
At home, you should definitely make baths in which you need to add herbs or salt.
The last caveat - you need to eat right, and also choose the right shoes. It would be nice to use orthopedic insoles. If a person turned to a doctor on time, did not hesitate with treatment and fully complied with the prescribed, then the patient will be able to recover in a month (maximum). You can go in for sports only after the doctor allows you to remove the cast. If the patient starts the disease, then this can lead to disability.
Treatment with folk remedies
Along with the therapy prescribed by the orthopedic surgeon, alternative methods can be used. Together they will give an effective result. With their help, you can relieve pain and discomfort.
The baths are excellent. It is necessary to take table salt, which will remove the fever, remove pain. It will also disinfect and disinfect the wound, if any. This option is most effective when it comes to treating injuries at home. The water in the bath should be at the level of body temperature, that is, no more than 36 degrees. It is advisable to use the salt, which is large. Such procedures should be carried out no more than a week. After this, take a break. In order to completely get rid of pain, you will have to repeat this prophylaxis for up to four courses. If we are talking about a more or less easy stage, then such baths will be most useful.
Ice and salt
A good option is a combination of salt and ice. Thanks to this method, it is possible to dissolve the cones on the legs. To apply a similar method is necessary no more than 10 times a week. It is necessary to take coarse salt and crushed ice, attach them to a sore spot and leave for several minutes. If we are talking about the winter period, then you can use snow instead of ice. This method will quickly achieve a positive result. It should be remembered that salt and ice cause a strong burning sensation. However, it is worth to be patient. As soon as the discomfort begins to intensify, you need to remove the lotion and cover it with gauze. You can remove it in the morning after waking up.
Iodine treatment
Iodine is a great option. Many people use it during rehabilitation. The metatarsal bone will recover slowly, but the result will be more stable. Be sure to wash your feet in warm water before the procedure. Next, wipe them dry. After this, the sore spot must be lubricated with special oil. Next you need to draw an iodine grid. Oil is needed so that it does not burn the skin. Such procedures should be performed before bedtime. The bones on the legs will stop growing after 2 weeks.