Jones 5th Metatarsal Fracture

What Are Metatarsal Bones?

The metatarsal bones are the long bones in your feet. There are five metatarsal bones in each foot. The fifth metatarsal is the long bone that is located on the outside of the foot and connects to the small toe. The fifth metatarsal bone is more commonly fractured.

Types of Metatarsal Fractures

There are two types of fractures that often occur in the fifth metatarsal, avulsion fracture and Jones fracture.

Avulsion Fracture

In avulsion fracture, a piece of the bone is pulled off the main portion of the fifth metatarsal by the tendon that attaches to this region.

Jones Fracture

Jones fracture involves fracture in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives limited blood supply. It can either be a stress fracture (a small hairline break that occurs over time) or an acute (sudden) break. These fractures are less common than those of avulsion fractures and may take longer to heal.

Other Fractures

Other fractures such as mid-shaft fractures, and fractures of the metatarsal head and neck may occur in the fifth metatarsal.

Causes of Jones Fractures

The most common causes of Jones fractures are:

Overuse
repetitive stress,
and trauma.

Symptoms of Jones Fractures

Patients who sustain a Jones fracture have

pain,
swelling,
tenderness,
and bruising over the outside area of their foot.
They may also have difficulty in walking.

Diagnosis of Jones Fractures

If you injure your fifth metatarsal bone, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Your doctor will ask you about the symptoms, history of injury, and will examine your foot to determine the location of pain.

The diagnosis of a Jones fracture through:

Your symptoms,
History of injury, and
Examination of your foot to determine location of pain.

Further examination of the foot can be very important, particularly for subtle injuries which require a high index of suspicion.

X-rays and other additional imaging studies may be needed.

Treatment of Jones Fractures

Initial treatment consists of

rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol); all assist in controlling pain and swelling.
a cast, cast boot, or stiff-soled shoe may be needed to immobilize your foot.
crutches may be recommended to keep you from putting weight on your leg.
bone stimulation is a technique for accelerating healing by using a pain free external device. This technique may be used if immobilization does not provide adequate healing.

If the fracture fails to unite, or heal, or if the injury involves a displaced bone, or multiple fractures, surgery will likely be recommended.

Surgery may include placing a screw to stabilize the fractured bone, and hold it securely in place while healing occurs and bone graft may be used to stimulate a healing response. Your doctor will discuss the type of procedure that may be needed for your condition.

Treatment Process

Preparation for Surgery

Provide a complete list of your medications so you can be advises which to stopped prior to surgery,
Treat any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems before surgery to reduce the risk of infection
Stop anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) at least seven days before the procedure.
Stop or cut down smoking to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery
Consider losing weight (if overweight) before surgery

Day of Surgery

Report any infections to me prior to surgery as the procedure cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up.
Do not consume alcohol - 24 hours prior to treatment,
Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for 6 hours before surgery
Avoid vigorous physical activity or exercise 24 hours prior to surgery,

During Surgery

Administration of general anesthesia or sedation and local anesthesia
The entire procedure can take 60 minutes to two hours.
Procedure is performed and sent to recovery room, for observation
Pain medications are prescribed to help with pain during the recovery phase.

After Surgery

Do not consume large amounts of alcohol after surgery,
Avoid vigorous physical activity or exercise until advised,
Follow the Post Surgery Treatment Plan proscribed by the surgeon and post op care specialists.
Any questions or complications should be communicated directly to the surgeon

Common Questions

If you have a specific question about your treatment, we recommend contacting the practice.

Hospital Discharge?
The patient is then discharged from the hospital in a day or two after the procedure.

Patients are advised on the steps to keep the wound dry and clean and on scar management.

The patient is advised to maintain a strict elevation of the joint for ten days.
- arrange help to assist with chores, and
- avoid putting any weight on the joint, with the help of crutches and walkers.
Recovery After Jones Fractures?
Jone fractures are regarded as serious injuries, and even minor injuries can have a prolonged recovery period.

Patients are normally immobilised in a below-knee cast or boot for 6 weeks.

Other conditions include:
- no weight-bearing during this time, and
- often a further 4-6 weeks in a boot is required once walking is started.
Return to maximum function often takes up to one year after the injury.
Wound Management?
At the time of discharge patients are advised on:
- The necessary steps to keep the wound dry,
- Wound care and Cleaning, and
- On scar management. precautions.
What if I Am Pregnant?

It is not recommend surgery while pregnant, as the risks are uncertain due to the lack of information available about the effect on the fetus.

For more information please call us on and request to speak with one of our medically-trained registered doctor or nurse.

Post Surgery Treatment Program

Long term outcomes depend on the severity of the initial injury.

Some patients won’t get back to their pre-injury function or sport, even with well-performed surgery.

Ten Days After Surgery
X-rays are repeated ten days after the procedure to determine the situation.

Physiotherapy
For the best possible outcome, postoperative physical therapy plays an important role in proper recovery following your procedure.

This postoperative management includes regular scheduled visits with a physical therapist

Extended Recovery Period
The patient is advised to limit their activities for six to eight weeks after the surgery.

Certain activities such as driving are also restricted for up to six weeks post-surgery.
Possible Risks or Side Effects?
The procedure carries all the risks associated with surgery, such as
- infection,
- bleeding and
- a severe allergic reaction to anesthesia.
Redness and bruising at the site of injection may be seen which should resolve over time.

You may experience post operative pain for prolonged period or other serious side effects contact your surgeon, as well as:
- damage to the structures around the operative zone such as nerves, blood vessels, tendons, muscles,
- chronic pain due to nerve entrapment
- delayed healing
- wound infection or breakdown.
Possible Complications of Surgery?

If this condition or injury is missed or untreated can result in the collapse of the arch of the midfoot with significant pain, and the development of arthritis.

When surgery is performed, risks include damage to the structures around the top of the foot (nerves, blood vessels, tendons, muscles), as well as a risk of wound infection or breakdown.

It is common to sustain cartilage damage at the joint surfaces during the initial injury, and some people develop midfoot arthritis and ongoing pain down the track.

Some patients require further surgery to fuse the midfoot joints to relieve arthritis pain.
Do You Offer Discounts?

Due to strict regulations set by the Australian Medical Board it is against the law to offer surgical inducements.

Discounted treatments should raise alarm bells when you are choosing which specialist to trust your treatment to.

The surgeon's skill is more important than price. Effective surgery will maximise your health outcome.