Remedies for broken bones?

Um, I assumed this was diagnosed by x-ray? Ordered by... a doctor? What did the doctor recommend?

I understand not doctoring up for a broken toe, but this?

Literally no-one can give meaningful advice based on the scant history provided.

What did you damage in the ball of your foot? How was the injury assessed? By who? What was the official diagnosis? Were you given a rehab plan? Did you follow it? How completely did you follow it? How did your symptoms progress?

Given the symptoms have been ongoing for over a year I doubt you will find a nice, easy solution on here but some people may at least be able to point you in the right direction.

Not impossible that she has gone to the doctor and what she's already tried were the doctor's suggestions.

I know someone that had a similarly stubborn injury - went through 3-4 treatment options of increasing immobility and none of them worked. If I remember correctly, I think he finally had to insist on seeing a specialist who insisted on surgery (and evidently had a few choice words about the previous doc's advice).

OP, if you're not seeing a doc, get yourself to one. If you are, insist on a specialist and make sure you're getting appropriately knowledgeable advice.

hannahcall2 wrote: »

It was officially diagnosed as an aligned sesamoid bone fracture. The orthopedic specialist gave me a boot. He said it could take 6 weeks or 6 months or 6 years. He said it is a hard bone to predict. I don't recall having an "I just broke my foot moment". The doc said it was probably some traumatic up and down jumping like movements that caused it. I was just curious if there is anything else I could do to speed along the process because the few doctors I saw said yes supplements, no supplements, soft soled shoes, firm soled shoes, and constant opposites as such.

I don't think there is unfortunately. If I get an opportunity I will check with one of the orthopods I know professionally but barring surgery it is a wait and see job.

I presume you have tried methods to take weight bearing off the bone as much as possible to allow it to heal?

I'm so sorry you're going through that - how horrible!

Have you tried comfrey tea with calcium tablets? There is limited research out there that suggests (SUGGESTS) that drinking comfrey tea can help aid bone healing (mainly due to the fact that waaaaaaaaaay back in the day, comfrey was the go-to herbal for setting bones). I would recommend the following website:

http://gilliansherbs.com/healing-fractured-bones

However, +1 for doctor's advice/recommendations. AND, make sure you check with your doctor before adding an herbal supplement or any other remedies. Swimming could be a great way to stay active without too much bother or weight bearing activity--ask your doctor. Good Luck!!

You have my sympathy, because I had exactly the same problem. The only thing that fixed it was time, and rest. Honestly, it didn't stop hurting until I quit working hospitality, 2 years after I broke it!!

I had the same thing happen, and absolutely no known reason for it.
Took aleve for several months before finally seeing a podiatrist, found out it was broken.
They sold me a boot... which I wish I'd turned down because other than at the gym or sitting at home I really
couldn't use it. (But at the gym, it was really nice to have my foot not hurt.)
Anti-inflammatories, immobilize as much as possible, gentle exercise (wish I could swim), and lots of patience.
This has been going on for more than a year, and my foot still hurts from time to time.

hannahcall2 wrote: »

It was officially diagnosed as an aligned sesamoid bone fracture. The orthopedic specialist gave me a boot. He said it could take 6 weeks or 6 months or 6 years. He said it is a hard bone to predict. I don't recall having an "I just broke my foot moment". The doc said it was probably some traumatic up and down jumping like movements that caused it. I was just curious if there is anything else I could do to speed along the process because the few doctors I saw said yes supplements, no supplements, soft soled shoes, firm soled shoes, and constant opposites as such.

SO FRUSTRATING that there's rarely consensus even within a specialty. Never mind across specialties. If it's not been dealt with, get a second opinion - do as much research as possible, and ask around to get recommendations for specialists knowledgeable & experienced with your injury.

I broke my fifth metatarsal in Oct 2013 (6 mos to the day after breaking my ankle, same leg). I wore a walking ortho boot cast thing for 12 weeks and it still didn't fully heal. To this day I feel pain in that spot, frequently.

Feet bones require rest to heal. We need our feet to walk about. It's an obnoxious conundrum.

I agree about seeking out more opinions until you find a doctor that has more to offer than what you currently are getting.

Comfrey is supposed to be good for bones. It's also called "bone-knit". There are different varieties. Its not allowed to be sold for oral cosumpton in the US as I understand (might harm the liver) You can buy lotions with it in or make your own. The russian variety is the most toxic. I've made my own for topical use using 1 cup olive oil, 1 oz of powdered comfrey (get the right kind) . Mix and put in oven for 1hr at 250 deg. Take out and stir in 1/3 cup of packed grated bees wax. Add wax to desired thickness. Let sit. The grit will settle to the bottom. Apply topically. Some people do take internally (get the right kind) and have done so as a yearly tonic or to fix bones. Google it.

Pearl Millet is really good for broken bones. We use it in Africa as natural way to help with the healing process. My son broke his upper arm in May. I used it extensively. You should try it, it's natural and cheap. I use it as a soup also you can rousted it , grind it and add it to whatever you want
Good luck

tomatoey wrote: »

MKEgal wrote: »

I had the same thing happen, and absolutely no known reason for it.
Took aleve for several months before finally seeing a podiatrist, found out it was broken.
They sold me a boot... which I wish I'd turned down because other than at the gym or sitting at home I really
couldn't use it. (But at the gym, it was really nice to have my foot not hurt.)
Anti-inflammatories, immobilize as much as possible, gentle exercise (wish I could swim), and lots of patience.
This has been going on for more than a year, and my foot still hurts from time to time.

Sorry to hear you're still in pain

Re anti-inflammatories: there's research now saying they're bad for bones and muscles.

http://www.rheumatologynetwork.com/articles/do-nsaids-impair-healing-musculoskeletal-injuries

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3259713/

This article suggests an alternative approach
http://www.ismoc.net/sportsmedicine/nopillsnopain.html

No Pills, No Pain is

"a program of treating injuries that states that your fastest rate of healing will occur if you:

- do not take any medications which can mask symptoms or directly interfere with healing (NO PILLS), and
- do nothing that causes pain to the injured area (NO PAIN)"

Summary:
- Your body heals better on its own
- Use pain to define the limits of healthy movement. It's important to move what you can, and rest what needs healing (relative rest)
- Sleep 8 hours, it helps with healing
- NSAIDs block pain (which is bad, because you wind up using the injured part more), cause GI issues, and interfere with healing
- Other painkillers have other side effects
- Interesting, on immobilization: " it turns that a certain amount of – painless – motion is essential to allow maximum healing. The normal joint motions produce “piezoelectric fields” that are sensed by your body. These electric fields have an orientation relative to the affected joint that serve as a roadmap for the body to orient healing tissue. Ligaments, tendons, and bones are all composed of tissue that has structural orientation like the cables of a suspension bridge. A given amount of structural tissue (like a given amount of steel cable) produces greater structural rigidity and strength if it is oriented along the natural lines of stress that the joint experiences. If the joint is immobilized, these piezoelectric fields are weakened or eliminated. The body will deposit the healing structural tissue in a more random and less ordered fashion. The net result is a weakened healing construct relative to what would have occurred if the joint had been allowed to move normally. When a bone is broken, immobilization for a time is unavoidable. In all other cases, decreased weight bearing with no pain but continued motion will maximize the strength and speed of healing."

Mind = blown

@tomateoy

You are partially right but shouldn't be recommending someone stop their pain treatment.

1) Yes, anti-inflammatories had a negative effect on tissue recovery. However, this doesn't mean that they are BAD for recovery and should be stopped. Used when needed (versus constantly used) doesn't reduce healing significantly - since chronic inflammation ALSO has a negative effect on recovery. It's a balancing act - and as non-health care professional you should not be recommending changes in treatment - feel free to provide info that a person can THEN discuss with their doctor.

2) "Your body heals better on its own" is bad advice. Just stop.

3) The "piezoelectric fields" explanation is mostly correct - except that those micro fields are never eliminated nor are they "sensed by your body" - they influence osteoblast and osteoclast balance via calcium channel signaling in bone remodelling. It does hold that weight bearing exercise may (not *will*) improve healing and bone growth. But guess what - the OP isn't fully immobilised and that effect is taking place.

hannahcall2 wrote: »

Haha yes I've had my bout of doctors. X-rays, MRI's, the most honest thing I got from all of the was "well that is just an unlucky bone to break". As you can imagine it's not the most helpful advice. Pretty much they said try these things and see what helps. So far no luck

Hanna, go back to same doctor - if your current treatment is not working, they need to know, work with them to identify a better treatment option. If you, as a patient, quit your half of the conversation, they can't help. Has the follow-up x-ray shown healing?

BUT the reality is that these type of fractures take a long time to heal. You need to have patience.

Here, read this on that type of fracture and the expected time table.

http://www.drblakeshealingsole.com/2012/03/fractured-fibular-sesamoid-email-advice_29.html

All the other advice here on millet, teas and what nots are likely not useful ... but they won't hurt anything other than your pocket book.

TL;DR: These fractures take time.