Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesHead or Neck FractureDancer’s FractureJones FractureAvulsion FracturesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Head or Neck Fracture
Dancer’s Fracture
Jones Fracture
Avulsion Fractures
Frequently Asked Questions
Several types offracturescan occur to the fifth metatarsal bone of the foot, each with different characteristic symptoms and treatment approaches.
Dr Neal Blitz NYC
Metatarsal bones are in themidfoot, just behind the phalanges (toes). The fifth metatarsal bone lies on the outer edge of your foot and connects to your little toe. The metatarsals curve upward and give your foot its arch.
The fifth metatarsal is unique in that it also curves outward. Additionally, it’s the only metatarsal bone that has two points of contact with the ground, one at either end.
Rolling your foot and ankle toward the outside, called an inversion injury, is the most common cause of fifth metatarsal fractures (and also a common cause of ankle fractures.)
That’s because a powerful tendon, called theperoneus Brevis tendon, attaches to the base of the metatarsal. When twisted, it can transmit a strong enough force to break the bone.
The four common types of fifth metatarsal fracture are:
Anatomy of the Feet and Ankles
Head or neck fractures occur at the forward end of the bone, which is called the head and/or neck. They’re most common with lower-force injuries or direct blunt trauma, like stubbing your little toe.
These fractures tend to be unstable and may require surgery. Foot surgeons will typically watch the bones for a week or so to see if they shift out of position before making a final decision.
In most of the medical community, “dancer’s fracture” has become a universal term for any fifth metatarsal fracture, but foot surgeons generally reserve it for fractures of a specific orientation.
A true dancer’s fracture occurs mostly in the middle portion of the long metatarsal bone and is oriented diagonally along the shaft. The fracture line may even spiral and rotate throughout the bone. Sometimes it’ll cause the bone to chip into smaller pieces (called comminution).
Surgery is typically avoided for a true dancer’s fracture unless the bone ends are separated or angulated (distorted) to an unacceptable degree.
The Jones fracture is the most notorious fifth metatarsal fracture because it is very difficult to heal. It occurs near the back of the bone at an anatomic location called the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction.
This area of bone is thought to have less blood supply than other bones, which makes it slow to heal. This is especially true if the fracture further impedes circulation.
Jones fractures can be treated with or without surgery, although most surgeons will recommend surgery if you’re physically active, and especially for athletes. The surgery generally involves placing a single screw into the canal of the bone to stabilize it.
When a Jones fracture is treated without surgery,a castis required for six to 12 weeks.
Rehab After a Jones Fracture
Avulsion fractures are so-named because a small portion of bone attached to a tendon or ligament has pulled off (avulsed) from the primary part of the bone. It may involve a portion of the bone or fully fracture the bone into segments.
Injuries that cause fifth metatarsal avulsion fractures are typically violent and may cause the bone to break into many tiny pieces.
Most avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal don’t require surgery. They’re more often treated with protective immobilization, such as a fracture boot.
Surgerymay be needed if the bones are unacceptably separated, angulated, or displaced.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt depends. Some people are still able to bear weight on their foot after a metatarsal fracture. The ability to walk does not necessarily mean the foot is not broken. However, putting weight on a broken foot will typically be very painful and is not advised.A fractured fifth metatarsal is typically treated with immobilization in a walking cast or boot cast. Some fractures may require surgery. A fracture close to the toes, for example, often requires surgery to set the bone. If this is the case, the surgeon will typically wait a week to see if the bone is healing properly and stable before surgically setting the bone.A simple metatarsal fracture typically heals after six to eight weeks of immobilization. You will likely be able to bear weight on the cast after a few days or a week. Once the cast is removed, it can take another month or so before you can return to high-impact activities and sports.If the fracture requires surgery, it can take longer to heal. You may not be able to put any weight on the broken foot for up to six weeks. Physical therapy may be needed to restore full functioning.
It depends. Some people are still able to bear weight on their foot after a metatarsal fracture. The ability to walk does not necessarily mean the foot is not broken. However, putting weight on a broken foot will typically be very painful and is not advised.
A fractured fifth metatarsal is typically treated with immobilization in a walking cast or boot cast. Some fractures may require surgery. A fracture close to the toes, for example, often requires surgery to set the bone. If this is the case, the surgeon will typically wait a week to see if the bone is healing properly and stable before surgically setting the bone.
A simple metatarsal fracture typically heals after six to eight weeks of immobilization. You will likely be able to bear weight on the cast after a few days or a week. Once the cast is removed, it can take another month or so before you can return to high-impact activities and sports.If the fracture requires surgery, it can take longer to heal. You may not be able to put any weight on the broken foot for up to six weeks. Physical therapy may be needed to restore full functioning.
A simple metatarsal fracture typically heals after six to eight weeks of immobilization. You will likely be able to bear weight on the cast after a few days or a week. Once the cast is removed, it can take another month or so before you can return to high-impact activities and sports.
If the fracture requires surgery, it can take longer to heal. You may not be able to put any weight on the broken foot for up to six weeks. Physical therapy may be needed to restore full functioning.
Pseudo-Jones Fracture Diagnosis and Treatment
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cheung CN, Lui TH.Proximal fifth metatarsal fractures: anatomy, classification, treatment and complications.Arch Trauma Res. 2016;5(4):e33298. doi:10.5812/atr.33298Bowes J, Buckley R.Fifth metatarsal fractures and current treatment.World J Orthop.2016;7(12):793-800. doi:10.5312/wjo.v7.i12.793Smidt KP, Massey P.5th metatarsal fracture (Jones fracture, dancers fracture). Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; January 2019.Lareau CR, Anderson RB.Jones fractures: pathophysiology and treatment.JBJS Rev. 2015;3(7):00100. doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.N.00100Baumbach SF, Prall WC, Kramer M, Braunstein M, Böcker W, Polzer H.Functional treatment for fractures to the base of the 5th metatarsal - influence of fracture location and fracture characteristics.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):534. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1893-6
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cheung CN, Lui TH.Proximal fifth metatarsal fractures: anatomy, classification, treatment and complications.Arch Trauma Res. 2016;5(4):e33298. doi:10.5812/atr.33298Bowes J, Buckley R.Fifth metatarsal fractures and current treatment.World J Orthop.2016;7(12):793-800. doi:10.5312/wjo.v7.i12.793Smidt KP, Massey P.5th metatarsal fracture (Jones fracture, dancers fracture). Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; January 2019.Lareau CR, Anderson RB.Jones fractures: pathophysiology and treatment.JBJS Rev. 2015;3(7):00100. doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.N.00100Baumbach SF, Prall WC, Kramer M, Braunstein M, Böcker W, Polzer H.Functional treatment for fractures to the base of the 5th metatarsal - influence of fracture location and fracture characteristics.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):534. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1893-6
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cheung CN, Lui TH.Proximal fifth metatarsal fractures: anatomy, classification, treatment and complications.Arch Trauma Res. 2016;5(4):e33298. doi:10.5812/atr.33298Bowes J, Buckley R.Fifth metatarsal fractures and current treatment.World J Orthop.2016;7(12):793-800. doi:10.5312/wjo.v7.i12.793Smidt KP, Massey P.5th metatarsal fracture (Jones fracture, dancers fracture). Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; January 2019.Lareau CR, Anderson RB.Jones fractures: pathophysiology and treatment.JBJS Rev. 2015;3(7):00100. doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.N.00100Baumbach SF, Prall WC, Kramer M, Braunstein M, Böcker W, Polzer H.Functional treatment for fractures to the base of the 5th metatarsal - influence of fracture location and fracture characteristics.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):534. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1893-6
Cheung CN, Lui TH.Proximal fifth metatarsal fractures: anatomy, classification, treatment and complications.Arch Trauma Res. 2016;5(4):e33298. doi:10.5812/atr.33298
Bowes J, Buckley R.Fifth metatarsal fractures and current treatment.World J Orthop.2016;7(12):793-800. doi:10.5312/wjo.v7.i12.793
Smidt KP, Massey P.5th metatarsal fracture (Jones fracture, dancers fracture). Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; January 2019.
Lareau CR, Anderson RB.Jones fractures: pathophysiology and treatment.JBJS Rev. 2015;3(7):00100. doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.N.00100
Baumbach SF, Prall WC, Kramer M, Braunstein M, Böcker W, Polzer H.Functional treatment for fractures to the base of the 5th metatarsal - influence of fracture location and fracture characteristics.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):534. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1893-6
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