How long are you off work with a fractured foot?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 15, 2026
You can return to work or school as soon as you are able to do your normal duties. How long will it take to heal? Most fractures heal without any problems in about six weeks.
Will walking on a fractured foot make it worse?
This fracture gets worse with time if you keep walking on it, so non-weight bearing is very important. People with this fracture are more likely to develop problems healing that require an operation.
Can you work if you have bone fracture?
If you have a desk job, you may be able to go back to work right away. But if you have a fractured leg and your job requires you to walk or stand a lot, you will need to wait until your fracture has healed. You heal best when you take good care of yourself.
Can you work with a metatarsal fracture?
If you are diagnosed with a stress fracture of the metatarsal, you will be advised to stop the activity that caused it. You will likely be advised to stay off the foot for 4-6 weeks or even longer until the pain subsides.
What happens if you keep walking on a fractured foot?
If you have broken a bone in your foot, you may still be able to walk, depending on the severity of the break. When recovering from this injury, it is suggested that you avoid walking excessively, as this can push the broken bone out of proper alignment and cause poor healing and foot deformities.
27 related questions foundCan you walk on a fractured foot with a boot?
Walking: You may walk on the foot as comfort allows but you may find it easier to walk on your heel in the early stages. The boot you have been given is for your comfort only and is not needed to aid fracture healing but will help to settle your symptoms.
How long does foot stay swollen after fracture?
After you suffer an injury, swelling usually worsens over the first two to four days. It can then last for as long as three months as the body attempts to heal itself. If the swelling lasts longer than this, your physical therapist or doctor may need to take a closer look to determine the cause of the delayed healing.
Can I drive with a 5th metatarsal fracture?
The first and fifth metatarsals usually require osteosynthesis, which makes driving impossible for at least two months. Toe fractures are treated by fixing the fractured digit to its neighbour, and although this does not generally interfere with driving, it should be avoided as a precaution.
How long do you wear a boot for a metatarsal fracture?
Your treatment plan
You will be given a removable boot to wear to support your foot; this should be used for two to six weeks to enable you to walk more comfortably whilst the injury heals. You only need to wear this when standing or walking, you can remove it at rest, at night and when bathing or showering.
Is a fracture a break?
The terms are actually interchangeable and both refer to a bone that has been shattered, often by excessive force. Your doctor may be more likely to use the term fracture. To be frank, the term fracture is more “professional” sounding. To say break would still be correct but more colloquial.
Can I work with a foot fracture?
You can return to work or school as soon as you are able to do your normal duties. How long will it take to heal? Most fractures heal without any problems in about six weeks.
Can I drive with a scaphoid fracture?
You should avoid heavy tasks with your injured hand for six weeks. You can return to driving once your cast has been removed and you feel confident to do so. This is usually after six weeks.
Can a bone fracture make you tired?
How Your Body Heals. When you sustain an injury that leads to a fracture then, your body will immediately begin to rush nutrients to the site of the damage. First, your body will enter a fight or flight state. This means that your heart rate will increase, you'll feel woozy, and you'll need to sit down.
Can you work with a walking boot?
The most common walking boot type is known as a “stirrup” walking boot. It features an elastic band around the leg just below the knee that goes around the leg. If this is your walking boot, you can still work or take care of important things like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and working in the garden.
Can a foot fracture heal without a cast?
To heal, a broken bone must be immobilized so that its ends can knit back together. In most cases, this requires a cast. Minor foot fractures may only need a removable brace, boot or shoe with a stiff sole.
Can you drive with a boot on your right foot?
Despite the obvious safety hazards, there are currently no laws prohibiting driving with a cast on either of your feet. It is not encouraged by doctors, who say that you might prevent your bones from healing correctly, or even end up in an accident due to impaired reaction time.
When can you start walking after a metatarsal fracture?
It typically takes 6-8 weeks for the bone to heal and get strong enough for the patient to resume full weight bearing in a normal shoe. It is often 4-6 months before a full recovery is obtained (return to unrestricted activities such as jumping and sprinting).
Can you break a metatarsal and still walk?
Depending on the type and severity of your injury, you may be able to walk on a broken metatarsal. Some people find they can't tolerate any weight at all. Others can still walk, especially if it's a mild fracture.
How painful is a 5th metatarsal fracture?
Sudden pain along the outside of your foot is the main symptom. A stress fracture may develop more slowly. You may feel chronic pain for a period of time. Your foot may also swell up and bruise.
Can you ride a bike with a fractured foot?
You may notice pain walking on uneven ground for weeks, or months, after the break has healed. Sports should not be considered until walking is pain free. Exceptions would be swimming and cycling – as long as there is no pain while doing them.
What is the fastest way to heal a 5th metatarsal fracture?
Providers can treat your broken bone with a cast, boot or shoe — or with surgery. Using ice, keeping weight off your foot and elevating your foot can help decrease recovery time.
Should I take time off work for fractured toe?
Broken big toe: 2-3 weeks in a walking boot or cast, then. 3-4 weeks in a stiff-soled shoe. Return to work and sport in 6-8 weeks is usual.
How do you start walking after a fracture?
If your fracture did require surgery, you may get a walking cast after two weeks; four to six weeks later, you may be able to apply some weight and be moved to a cast with a walker or crutches. It may then be a few more weeks before you can fully bear your weight and walk without any aids..
How do you know when a fracture is healed?
Most doctors check x-rays to see if bones are healing. The calcified blood clot around the fractured ends of the bones will show up on x-rays and is called “callus”. Callus is just new bone that has formed and grown across the fracture site. It's another sign that the broken bone is healed.
How long does it take to wean out of a walking boot?
These progressions typically happen over a 2, 4 or 6 week period. In some cases we allow patients to transitional directly out of the after an appropriate amount of time. This will be determined at your visit based on your condition and recovery process.