Fourth Metatarsal Break

In early July this past summer I managed to break my fourth metatarsal. I went to the ER and they gave me a removable cast and crutches and said to be non weight bearing at least until I flew home (I was out of town for a few weeks at that time). But honestly, I didn't use the crutches or the cast much while I was still out of town. When I got home and saw a doctor, he said to continue to wear the removable cast for 8 weeks, although I was walking without it well before that. Now it's six months later and I'm still occasionally experiencing some dull pain and soreness. Is this because I followed the medical advice so loosely, or will it just require more time to subside? The X ray showed the bones healed correctly, but I wonder if there wasn't some other damage? Maybe with the tendons or ligaments?
Thanks so much

[JainMD]

Hi Reh,
Is it that your name is Rehman?
Well there is no need to worry as your imaging shows that your fracture has healed normally.
Occasional dull pain can be due to some nerve compression or can be also be normal as it is the weight bearing area of body.
There can be different reasons too like ankle sprain or problems with arches or tendons etc., but as these symptoms are not annoying suggest that you should not be worried.
You can check it out with orthopedic surgeon to see if there is any concern with tendons or ligaments.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[reh912]

Rehman? Not quite. Although I did laugh! reh are my initials.
Thanks a lot for the advice. Having never broken a bone since I was three, I felt a little lost as to what was normal and what should be worrisome. I appreciate your answer! Thanks for responding!

[JainMD]

Hi,
I was trying to see whether I can guess it right.
I think you need not worry about pain it would settle in a few weeks time. But if this does not settle then you should be going back to your orthopedic surgeon and check it out with imaging studies as to what could be the problem.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.