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.
Building
As mentioned above, the described bone consists of several at once. The first of them is the shortest, and the second has longer dimensions. Each bone has articular surfaces. The latter are connected using special mold fabrics. The body has 3 faces. They are linked together.
There are two platforms on the first bone. They are necessary in order to strengthen the hard tissues of sesamoid types. The head is compressed from several sides. There is a tuberosity on the fifth bone, which is needed for attaching the tendons. Where the metatarsus connects with the tarsus, there are special vaults. The second is near the heads. The first vault is located near the tarsal bones. Each of these components performs special functions, in particular, depreciation. With the help of fabric vaults,are damaged and also receive a normal amount of blood.
Thumb pain
The bone can hurt because of the heel, the wrong shoes, problems with the ligamentous apparatus, pathology of the foot. This happens because there is a large angle between the two fingers. This phenomenon is considered pathological. Because of this, a deformation develops that can progress rapidly. In the event that the metatarsal bone hurts and there is some discomfort (inflammation, swelling, redness, and so on), then treatment must be started.
Stages of disease
At the moment, this problem develops in four stages. The first is characterized by the presence of a deflection angle of up to 20 degrees. A person may experience mild discomfort that he hardly notices.
If the disease has moved 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. A person's other fingers begin to deform, but the pain does not stop.
Mild stage treatment method
In order to understand what problems there are with the metatarsal bone, it is necessary to take an x-ray. Be sure to go to the receptionorthopedist. He will be able to prescribe the right therapy.
If a person develops the first degree, that is, the disease is at the onset stage, then conservative treatment can be used. There is no need for surgical intervention. The patient is prescribed gymnastics, physiotherapy and some other methods of treatment.
Therapy for severe stage
If we are talking about an advanced stage, then, most likely, you will have to do an operation. During rehabilitation, the doctor recommends fixing the metatarsal bone with a bandage for the night. Thanks to him, the described joint remains in one position. In the daytime, it should be removed and a special overlay should be used. It will neutralize discomfort and reduce pressure when walking.
If after the movements the leg gets very tired, then orthopedic insoles can be used. They will not only relieve pain in case of a fissure of the metatarsal bone, but also correctly distribute the load on the foot, joints and spine.
Injuries
With various injuries, a fracture of the base of the metatarsal bone can develop in a person. This happens with loads that it is not able to withstand, and even with osteoporosis. As a symptomatology, the appearance of hematomas, lameness, crunching, swelling, pain, as well as problems with gait 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 an X-ray and MRI.
When providing first aid to a person, all loads onorganism. This is the only way to prevent the development of cracks or a fracture. After that, you need to apply a cold compress, which will reduce swelling and pain. In order to prevent frostbite, the ice should be kept no longer than 20 minutes. It is advisable to carry out such procedures regularly in the first two days. After they expire, this method will be ineffective.
In order to reduce the level of puffiness, bandaging can be used. It is impossible to tighten the leg tightly. Next, you need to raise it. It is recommended to use a pillow or some kind of clothing. It should be noted that in case of a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot, it is imperative to abandon warm compresses, you can not rub your leg with alcohol, and also massage. Otherwise, it will cause the foot to swell even more.
When prescribing treatment, the doctor will take into account the severity of the disease. If we are talking about a light one, then a plaster is applied to the foot. If the patient has a more serious injury, then he will have to walk with crutches or rely on the heel.
If there is 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.
Rehabilitation for a fracture or crack
An important issue is the rehabilitation of a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot. How long does it last? It depends on the degree of injury in the patient, as well as how quickly the bone grows together. You have to wear a plaster castat least five weeks. However, there is no need to hurry with the use of crutches. This is because they can cause complications.
In order for the foot to heal properly, it is necessary to do special therapeutic exercises and baths. The latter are used by adding sea s alt. It is important to use orthopedic insoles, which prevent not only the reduction of the load, but also the development of flat feet. Such shoe linings should be worn for at least six months until the injury is completely healed. The first steps after such a pathology will be quite painful. Therefore, it is best to avoid sudden movements. The injury heals, as a rule, quickly: no more than 4 weeks. How much time will be needed in a particular case, only the attending physician can tell.
Prevention measures
It does not matter where a 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 he alth, you must definitely eat right. In order for the bones to be in good condition, it is recommended to eat foods that are rich in calcium. Be sure to have enough vitamin D in the body. During physical exertion, and even at elevated body temperature, calcium is washed out. Before you start playing sports, it is imperative to do a warm-up. Thanks to this, there will not be much pressure on the foot. You should quit smoking and alcohol. Bad habits affect not only the bones, but also the lungs and kidneys.
Be sure to watch your relaxation. There should be a balance between work and leisure. In order for the metatarsal bone not to suffer, you need to maintain your weight in the normal range. To do this, you should abandon smoked, s alty, fatty foods, as well as those dishes that contain carbohydrates. In order 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 this is how many patients get a closed fracture of the metatarsal bones. To prevent these situations, you can use special mats or install anti-slip tiles. Also a great solution would be a carpet or tracks. Wires must be removed from free access. In winter, you should carefully walk along the street.
The most important thing in the event of any injury is to see a doctor in time. Sometimes even a serious disease does not manifest itself in any way and does not show itself.
Head Offset
The metatarsophalangeal joint has an outer and inner layer. If the head of a given bone is displaced, then the entire tissue appears and is damaged in the patient. At the same time, quite severe diseases can develop in parallel.
The head increases with inflammation, begins to grow with a special tissue. If a person has such a problem, then most likely he also has pain when moving. Depending on how severe the disease is, the doctor will select the treatment.
If we are talking about the initial degree, then most likely the specialist will recommend the use of arch support insoles. If the disease is at a more advanced stage, then it is treated only with the help of surgical intervention. As a rule, the problem is a violation of the first metatarsal bone. She departs from the required place. During the operation, she is placed back in the correct position.
It should be noted that the problem with the displaced head of the bone is quite serious. Such a disease should not be launched.
If you see a doctor in time, then most likely it will be possible to completely get rid of the problem. At the initial stage, the specialist will prescribe the use of more comfortable shoes. It is also often prescribed a visit to the massage. When the disease is advanced, you should immediately contact the surgeon.
Rehabilitation period
It has already been described above how exactly the rehabilitation takes place with a fissure of the metatarsal bone, as well as with fractures. How long this period lasts depends entirely on the method of treatment and the degree of the disease itself. The rehabilitation process is influenced by the age and he alth of a person.
If a patient has any chronic diseases of a severe type, then it will be quite difficult to completely defeat the pathology. It will take a lot of time.
After the doctor removes the cast, you must immediately begin to develop the functionality of the foot. You should massage your feet, and then rub them with special ointments that will relieve swelling. For some 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 must perform physical gymnastics without fail. A set of exercises is selected only by a rehabilitation doctor. If you wish, you can go swimming.
At home, you should definitely make baths in which you need to add herbs or s alt.
The last nuance - you need to eat right, as well as choose the right shoes. It would be nice to use orthopedic insoles. If a person went to the doctor on time, did not hesitate with treatment and fully complied with what was 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, it can lead to disability.
Treatment with folk remedies
Simultaneously with the therapy prescribed by the orthopedist, you can use traditional methods. Together they will give an effective result. With their help, you can relieve pain and discomfort.
The baths work great. It is necessary to take table s alt, which will allow you to remove the heat, remove the pain. It will also disinfect and disinfect the wound, if any. This option is the most effective when it comes to treating an injury 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 s alt that is large. Such procedures should be carried out no more than a week. After that, you should take a break. In order to completelyto get rid of pain, you will have to repeat such prevention up to four courses. If we are talking about a more or less easy stage, then such baths will be as useful as possible.
Ice and s alt
A combination of s alt and ice is a good option. Thanks to this method, you can dissolve the bumps on the legs. It is necessary to apply this method no more than 10 times a week. You should take coarse s alt and crushed ice, apply them to the sore spot and leave for a few 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 s alt and ice cause a strong burning sensation. However, it is worth being patient. As soon as the discomfort begins to intensify, you need to remove the lotion and cover it with gauze. You can take it off in the morning after waking up.
Iodine treatment
Iodine is a great option. Many use it during rehabilitation. The metatarsus will regenerate 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 that, 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 carried out before going to bed. The bones on the legs will stop growing after 2 weeks.
