Although you may not be familiar with the fifth metatarsal, if you’ve fractured it, chances are you’re in pain and need treatment. The fifth metatarsal is the long bone on the outside of your foot that connects to your little toe.
The fifth metatarsal can get fractured either as the result of a sudden acute injury or from overuse and repetitive trauma. The bone can fracture at any point but two common fractures are an Avulsion Fracture and a Jones Fracture. An Avulsion Fracture is usually caused by an injury where the ankle rolls. A small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a tendon or ligament. A Jones Fracture occurs in an area of the bone that receives less blood and can be due to an acute injury or it can be a stress fracture—a tiny, hairline break that occurs over a long period of time, usually because of a repeated activity that puts a stress on that part of the foot.
Symptoms of a fifth metatarsal fracture include:
For a definitive diagnosis, you will need to see a foot and ankle surgeon. At Great Neck Family Foot Care, our board certified podiatrists, Alec Hochstein, D.P.M. and Diana Gagliano, D.P.M. are experts in treating foot and ankle fractures. First, your foot doctor will want to know how the injury occurred. He or she will then examine your foot and digital x-rays will be ordered (which can be done right in our office). In some cases, additional imaging studies may be needed because a Jones fracture may not be visible on an x-ray.
Your podiatrist will decide on the best treatment method for your fracture. Options include:
If you suspect you may have fractured your fifth metatarsal, contact our Great Neck office today by phone at (516) 482-5999 to schedule an appointment.
