How is a fifth metatarsal base fracture treated?
Zone 1 fractures are avulsion or chip fractures that occur at the tip of the base of the fifth metatarsal. These fractures typically are treated without surgery using a cast, boot, or hard-soled shoe and tend to heal within 6-8 weeks.
How long does it take for a 5th metatarsal fracture to heal?
How long will it take to heal? Most fractures heal without any problems in about six weeks. However, it may take three to six months for your symptoms to settle completely – these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength, and swelling.
Do you need physical therapy after a fifth metatarsal fracture?
Physical therapy after a Jones fracture may help improve your overall foot and ankle range of motion, strength, and functional mobility. 1 A Jones fracture is a break in the fifth metatarsal, a bone of your foot that connects your pinky toe to the rest of your foot.
Is it easy to break your 5th metatarsal?
The metatarsal bones help people balance while standing and walking. Because these bones get much more use than other bones, it is easy to injure them through overuse. Sudden acute injuries of the metatarsals are common after a sudden impact or severe twist of the foot.
Will walking on a broken foot make it worse?
This fracture gets worse with time if you keep walking on it, so non-weight bearing is very important. People with this fracture are more likely to develop problems healing that require an operation.
Is 5th metatarsal fracture serious?
The fifth metatarsal is the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the smallest toe. A Jones fracture is a common type of metatarsal fracture and is the most severe type of fracture that can occur in this bone.
How did you break your 5th metatarsal?
A direct blow to the bone is often the cause of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal. That may happen if you drop a heavy object on your foot or land wrong on your foot or ankle. Twisting activities can also break the bone. Pivoting while playing basketball is one example.
What is the easiest bone to break in your foot?
5th metatarsal fracture The fifth metatarsal bone is the most common metatarsal bone to be fractured in sudden (acute) injury to the foot.
How long will fracture of 5th metatarsal take to heal?
Foot injuries especially a 5th metatarsal fracture can take up to 3 months to heal in most cases. If your fracture has not healed after 3 months, you may need a bone stimulator to increase the chance of fully healing the fracture. Consult with your foot specialist to make sure your fracture is showing signs of healing.
What happens if I fracture my 5th metatarsal?
A fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone is often mistaken for an ankle sprain and therefore not rested or supported enough. This can lead to problems in healing and continuing pain. A full-thickness fracture which is displaced and not ‘put back’ into line can heal ‘out of shape’, leading to deformity of the foot, sometimes making shoe fitting difficult.
How are foot fractures of the fifth metatarsal treated?
The foot and ankle surgeon may use one of these nonsurgical options for treatment of a fifth metatarsal fracture: Immobilization . Depending on the severity of the injury, the foot is kept immobile with a cast, cast boot or stiff-soled shoe. Crutches may also be needed to avoid placing weight on the injured foot.
What are the first signs of a metatarsal stress fracture?
Symptoms of a metatarsal stress fracture include: Pain in the forefoot which develops gradually over time. The pain will be usually be located towards the middle, or front of the foot. Symptoms are made worse with weight-bearing activities such as walking, running or dancing.