Question: Three and a half weeks ago I broke my 5th metatarsal on my left foot (clean break, not displaced). It is not a XXXXXXX fracture. I am a 61 year-old female. I was given a tall to the knee air cast by the second MD that I have seen. She seems like a good M.D. I am writing because my foot and ankle are still swelling somewhat: comes and goes which confuses me. One orthopedic MD (first one who I didn't like because he never gave me eye contact or touched my foot) said no weight bearing for three more weeks (it had been broken for 10 days when I saw him). The MD I saw a week later said I could put weight on my foot if I use the air cast. She thought I could walk right away if I use the air cast. I have been very slow to put weight on my foot because it hurts. I figure I need to be patient with myself. I do have to occasionally put some weight on it just to stand near the sink, etc. or to keep from falling etc as I get around the house. (I also use crutches). My questions: (1) how do I use the air cast properly? The MD said it was up to me if I want to sleep with it or take it off. If I take it off what should I do with my foot? Do I wrap it or what? (2) I am not sure I am using the air pump and filling the cast up correctly. Should it be tight? Or, semi-tight? If I am not walking, but just putting some weight occasionally on my foot to stand occasionally, does it matter? I hope you can answer me right now. My foot is somewhat swollen. I use the cast a lot. Right now as I write to you, I have my foot out of the cast because it was beginning to hurt. I am confused to why the swelling comes and goes. Do you know why the swelling comes and goes? What should I do about this? Is ice still a good idea? I used ice the first two weeks. Now it has been almost four weeks since I had the accident. Should I be attempting to move my toes and do any foot stretches at this point in time? I have been careful not to move my foot. It feels stiff and doesn't really want to move. I hope you can write asap.