

Sir Robert Jones was the first who described the metaphyseal–diaphyseal (within 0.75 inches from the base) fifth metatarsal fracture in four patients in Liverpool in 1902, with himself sustaining the same injury while dancing ( 7). Besides football, other sports with an increased risk of suffering these fractures include soccer, basketball, and track and field athletes ( 4, 6).

In elite athletes ( 4), a 5-year review from a single National Football League (NFL) team demonstrated an incidence of 3.42% ( 5). Noteworthy, the majority of young patients are males, whereas older patients are females ( 3). person-years, with patients most frequently presenting between 20 and 50 years of age ( 2). Their incidence has been reported as high as 1. With our help, you can get back on your feet and back to the activities you love.Metatarsal fractures represent the most common injury of the foot, accounting for approximately 5–6% of all the fractures encountered in the primary care setting, with about 45–70% of these injuries involving the fifth metatarsal ( 1). towel curls, in which you sit in a chair, with your heel on the ground, and use only your toes to reach for a towel just in front of youįor any serious injury to your foot, see us right away to begin treatment promptly.gentle stretching, such as “drawing” the alphabet with your big toe, for range of motion.An exercise program can make the difference between future proper foot function and possible long-term complications, such as chronic pain, malunion (improper healing of the fracture) and instability.
#5th metatarsal fracture physical therapy series
Then you will wear a therapeutic immobilizing boot for about six weeks, followed by a series of rehabilitation exercises we design to rebuild your foot’s strength and range of motion. If you can, you have not suffered bone displacement, meaning the fracture can most likely be managed conservatively, without surgery.įirst, we reduce pain and swelling with ice and anti-inflammatory medication. Treatment of your fifth metatarsal avulsion fracture begins with ascertaining if you can still evert your foot (turn it outward and roll it toward the pinky toe side). Treated properly and promptly, most metatarsal fractures will heal well. An avulsion fracture, sometimes called a dancer’s fracture, happens when an attached ligament or tendon pulls off a small piece of the bone near the base of the metatarsal.

A stress fracture results from repeated impact to a specific area, causing a hairline break to develop over a relatively long time.A Jones fracture usually affects athletes and occurs in a particular spot that receives limited blood supply.Three fracture types strike the fifth metatarsal most often: Of all the bones in the foot, this is the one most commonly fractured. A fracture is a break in the bone, and your fifth metatarsal is the long midfoot bone on the side of your “pinky” toe. Your doctor has called it a fifth metatarsal avulsion fracture, but you are unsure what is meant by that term. Perhaps you stubbed your toe or incurred a foot injury while participating in sports.
