

Initial treatment consists of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol) all assist in controlling pain and swelling. X-rays and other additional imaging studies may be needed. Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms, history of injury, and will examine your foot to determine the location of pain. If you injure your fifth metatarsal bone, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. They may also have difficulty in walking. Patients who sustain a Jones fracture have pain, swelling, tenderness, and bruising over the outside area of their foot. Overuse, repetitive stress and trauma are the most common causes of Jones fractures. The fifth metatarsal bone is more commonly fractured. The fifth metatarsal is the long bone that is located on the outside of the foot and connects to the small toe. There are five metatarsal bones in each foot. The metatarsal bones are the long bones in your feet. The foot and ankle surgeon will determine the type of procedure that is best suited to the individual patient.Operative Treatment of 5th Metatarsal Fractures

If the injury involves a displaced bone, multiple breaks, or has failed to adequately heal, surgery may be required. Bone stimulation, most commonly used for Jones fractures, may be used as part of the treatment or following an inadequate response to immobilization. A pain-free external device is used to speed the healing of some fractures. Crutches may also be needed to avoid placing weight on the injured foot. Depending on the severity of the injury, the foot is kept immobile with a cast, cast boot, or stiff-soled shoe. The foot and ankle surgeon may use one of these non-surgical options for treatment of a fifth metatarsal fracture: Elevation: The foot should be raised slightly above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.Compression: An elastic wrap should be used to control swelling.Use ice for 20 minutes and then wait at least 40 minutes before icing again. Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area, placing a thin towel between the ice and the skin.Until you are able to see a foot and ankle surgeon, the “ R.I.C.E.” method of care should be performed: Because a Jones fracture sometimes does not show up on initial x-rays, additional imaging studies may be needed. The foot will be examined, with the doctor gently pressing on different areas of the foot to determine where there is pain. To arrive at a diagnosis, the surgeon will ask how the injury occurred or when the pain started. Pain, swelling, and tenderness on the outside of the footĪnyone who has symptoms of a fifth metatarsal fracture should see a foot and ankle surgeon as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. Examples include mid-shaft fractures, which usually result from trauma or twisting, and fractures of the metatarsal head and neck.Īvulsion and Jones fractures have the same signs and symptoms. Other types of fractures can occur in the fifth metatarsal. They are less common and more difficult to treat than avulsion fractures. Jones fractures are caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or trauma. A Jones fracture can be either a stress fracture (a tiny hairline break that occurs over time) or an acute (sudden) break. Jones fractures occur in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives less blood and is therefore more prone to difficulties in healing. Avulsion fractures are often overlooked when they occur with an ankle sprain. This type of fracture is the result of an injury in which the ankle rolls. In an avulsion fracture, a small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a tendon or ligament. Two types of fractures that often occur in the fifth metatarsal are: Fractures (breaks) are common in the fifth metatarsal – the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe.
