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Is there any sort of cardio that I can do with two broken feet? I have two fifth metatarsal fractures and I really dont want to pack on the pounds by not being mobile. The foot doctor said no biking/cycling but I can't see why I couldn't use a exercise bike.
My heartfelt empathy.
Three and a half weeks ago I fell down the stairs in the middle of the night and broke my right fibula. Life has pretty well sucked since then. Like you, I exercised a lot by riding my bike...it's one of my favorite forms of exercise; especially now that it's Fall!! Have probably gone against doc's orders a time or two when I broke down and rode bikes with my son to his school. However, the bone I've broken is not in my foot so in your situation you need to be more careful about the nature of any weight bearing you might do.
I've had nobody up here to help me with my son, as we moved to Alaska over the summer and my husband has been indisposed in WA state finishing up his training. Thus, I've been forced to put more weight on my affected side than the doc recommended, although they did not tell me I CAN'T bear weight.
Good luck. Hope your healing process is well under way! I'm hoping to be more or less relatively normal by Halloween when we take our son ToTing.
Is there any sort of cardio that I can do with two broken feet? I have two fifth metatarsal fractures and I really dont want to pack on the pounds by not being mobile. The foot doctor said no biking/cycling but I can't see why I couldn't use a exercise bike.
Exercise bike with two broken feet? What would you pedal with? Anyway, there is a device you can use called an arm bike. It's an exercise bike for your arms. I used it when I was doing physical therapy after shoulder surgery. You have to use speed in order to make it more cardiovascular, but it will probably help. Also, strength exercises for you upper body can help: bicep curls and maybe ab crunches if you can support your lower back with your feet. And remember, diet is key. Sticking to a healthy diet can minimize or prevent weight gain, and that can be done even if you're in traction No matter what, healing your feet is more important than anything else. Gaining weight from inactivity is much better than risking poor wound healing from overexercising your broken feet.
Rowing or swimming possibly. Rowing likely the best since your foot itself doesn't move at all. Swimming would be good too though you are still moving your foot, but you aren't putting pressure on the foot. If you wanted to be extra cautious you could just use a pull buoy which would allow you to strictly use your upper body muscles.
Not rowing. Rowing is 60% leg which requires pushing with your feet against the machine.
Rowing or swimming possibly. Rowing likely the best since your foot itself doesn't move at all. Swimming would be good too though you are still moving your foot, but you aren't putting pressure on the foot. If you wanted to be extra cautious you could just use a pull buoy which would allow you to strictly use your upper body muscles.
You'd be surprised how much stress swimming actually puts on your feet and ankles. When I was in college, I got a really bad ankle sprain. I wore a brace for a couple months before it was fully healed. After that, I never felt the slightest pain from it EXCEPT when swimming. I felt it for 9 full months after the injury when swimming.
But yes, with a pull buoy so that you are just working your upper body would be an excellent cardio workout.
Cardio does not prevent weight gain, eating less prevents weight gain. I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say, I know it sucks, but basically you're going to have take a calorie cut while you're healing.
Is there any sort of cardio that I can do with two broken feet? I have two fifth metatarsal fractures and I really dont want to pack on the pounds by not being mobile. The foot doctor said no biking/cycling but I can't see why I couldn't use a exercise bike.
Just monitor your diet if you don't want to pack on the pounds. Get into other activities. Reading, drawing, etc to avoid eating a lot of food.
You need to allow your broken feet to repair itself otherwise you can develop long-term complications.
Is there any sort of cardio that I can do with two broken feet? I have two fifth metatarsal fractures and I really dont want to pack on the pounds by not being mobile. The foot doctor said no biking/cycling but I can't see why I couldn't use a exercise bike.
Every gym has rowing machine. See how meta tarsals are up in the air? Just keep pressure on heels.
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Anyway, there is a device you can use called an arm bike. It's an exercise bike for your arms. I used it when I was doing physical therapy after shoulder surgery. You have to use speed in order to make it more cardiovascular, but it will probably help. Also, strength exercises for you upper body can help: bicep curls and maybe ab crunches if you can support your lower back with your feet. And remember, diet is key. Sticking to a healthy diet can minimize or prevent weight gain, and that can be done even if you're in traction 
No matter what, healing your feet is more important than anything else. Gaining weight from inactivity is much better than risking poor wound healing from overexercising your broken feet.
