Fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal of the foot. Signs, treatment, and repair of a fifth metatarsal fracture

A fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is a severe injury accompanied by unbearable pain, in which the bones of the metatarsus are broken or displaced. Metatarsal injuries account for 5-6% of all fractures, they accompany every fifth.

Causes

Metatarsal bones fracture occurs because a force acting on them is greater than the force of elasticity of the bone. Possible causes of violation of the integrity of the bones of the metatarsus are divided into:

Traumatic: road accident; dropping a heavy or sharp object on the leg, landing on the legs while jumping or falling from a height, hitting the foot on something hard.
Pathological: osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, genetic bone abnormalities, tumors of the bone marrow or bone tissue, lack of minerals and nutrients in the body, taking certain types of drugs.
Stress or fatigue. Such fractures occur against the background of often renewed minor injuries of the foot, too intense loads on the foot, and twisting of the leg when walking.

A fracture of the metatarsus is often mistaken by patients for a severe bruise or sprain. The situation is similar with a fracture of the tarsal bones. This is because in foot fractures, the presence of symptoms and their intensity are determined by the amount of damage and the presence of displacement of debris.

Suspect a metatarsal injury and consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

unbearable pain in the injured area, which becomes stronger from touch;
swelling and cyanosis of the tissues at the presumed fracture site;
difficulty moving and lameness.

The following symptoms of fractures are also possible, but may not appear at all:

crepitus (crunching) at the time of injury or on examination;
excessive mobility in the foot;
foot deformities (shortening of the toe or its anatomically incorrect position relative to the foot).

Based on the clinical picture alone, it is impossible to determine the type of fracture and which bone is broken. An accurate diagnosis can only be made after an examination in a hospital, which includes an x-ray in two projections.

Varieties

Metatarsal fractures are divided into varieties according to several criteria. So, if one bone is broken, then doctors will diagnose a single injury. If two or more bones are injured, then we are talking about multiple damage.

Depending on whether the broken bone remains in place, it can be said that the fracture is with or without displacement.

Different parts of the bone can suffer: base, neck or diaphysis. In addition, fractures are classified according to the type of fracture line. The break line is:

oblique;
helical;
transverse;
T-shaped;
wedge-shaped.

Since there are 5 metatarsal bones in each human foot, it is possible to classify metatarsal fractures by which one is affected. The most vulnerable are the 4th and 5th metatarsal bones. Their fractures are the most common. Moreover, a fracture of the outer, 5th bone, is often complicated by displacement and going beyond the plane of the foot. After a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone, the most difficult and longest restoration of foot functions is required.

A fracture of the outer, 1st bone is considered less frequent. Fractures of 3 or 2 bones are the rarest. This is due to their protected position between other bones.

A direct blow to the foot (falling a heavy object or an accident) leads to injuries of 2, 3 or 4 metatarsal bones. With an indirect impact, the outer 1st and 5th bones suffer. Prolonged stress loads on the legs lead to a fracture of the 4th metatarsal bone of the foot.

If you suspect a foot injury, you should immediately call a doctor. Prior to his arrival, the victim must be given first aid:

Limit load and movement. As with many other injuries, a board attached to the foot with a bandage can serve as a fixator for a fracture of any metatarsal bone. It is necessary to fix the foot very carefully so as not to aggravate the injury and not to displace the bone. It is necessary to limit movement in the foot and in two joints adjacent to it.
Apply cold. This will reduce swelling or slow its appearance. In addition, due to the feeling of tissue numbness, the pain symptom is reduced. If there is no ice nearby, it can be replaced with a frozen product wrapped in a towel. To avoid frostbite, do not apply ice directly to the skin and do not hold for more than 20 minutes.
Bandage the foot with an elastic bandage. Thus, movement in the joint and swelling will be limited. However, you need to bandage correctly: evenly and tightly, but not tight. If the toes become cold and bluish or numb, this means that the bandage is too tight and the leg should be re-bandaged.
Raise the injured limb. It also reduces swelling by draining blood away from the injury site. In the supine position, a pillow is placed under the injured leg. In a sitting position, put your foot on a chair.

If there is or displacement, they should not be set in any case. This is performed only by a doctor after a complete and detailed diagnosis.

Treatment

What treatment will be prescribed by the doctor depends on the location of the damage and the complexity of the fracture. The key treatment options are:

Immobilization with an orthosis. This treatment option is used only if there is no bone displacement. The orthosis is a polymer boot that fixes, stabilizes and unloads the foot.
Immobilization with a plaster boot. A plaster cast is applied to the injured foot and two adjacent joints up to the middle of the lower leg. With a simple fracture, the doctor may confine himself to a plaster splint. Plaster is applied for 1-1.5 months, with complicated fractures with displacement - for up to 3 months.
Closed reposition. This method of treatment is giving the bone fragments an anatomical position manually without violating the integrity of the skin. After comparing the fragments, the foot is securely fixed with a plaster cast. However, this method has a significant drawback: its application does not exclude the possibility of repeated displacement of the bones.
Osteosynthesis. This is an operation to restore the anatomically correct position of bone fragments, which is indicated for comminuted or multiple fractures of the metatarsal bones. To fix fragments, doctors use knitting needles, screws, plates. In particularly difficult cases, apply. At the end of the operation, the surgical incision is closed with a suture. Gypsum is not used.

In addition, all patients are advised to use crutches to relieve the injured foot and take calcium and vitamin D supplements. Treatment is carried out exclusively under the regular supervision of a traumatologist and includes several x-ray studies of the injured limb.

Rehabilitation and recovery

Full recovery after a fracture of any metatarsal bone of the foot is a long process. Rehabilitation takes from 2 to 5 weeks depending on the complexity of the injury. At this time, it is also necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of the attending physician. The complex of rehabilitation measures includes:

Physiotherapy procedures. They will help restore the natural mobility of the foot after prolonged immobilization.
Massage. It can be combined with rubbing with essential oils or decongestants. This will help relieve swelling and restore blood circulation in the injured area.
Physiotherapy. It is best to do it under the supervision of a trainer who will evaluate the correctness and effectiveness of the patient's exercise.
Walking with a gradual increase in load. It is worth starting with 10 steps and increasing their number gradually.
Swimming. If it is not possible to swim at least twice a week, swimming can be replaced by warm baths with sea salt.
Orthopedic insoles. They should not be bought ready-made, but ordered individually. In addition, special separator plates should be inserted between the thumb and forefinger. This will help to properly distribute the load on the foot and reduce pain when walking.
Proper and nutritious nutrition. Proteins, calcium, silicon and vitamin D must be present in the patient's diet. The source of these substances are dairy products and fresh seafood, nuts and seeds, legumes and greens, berries, vegetables and fruits.

Complications

If the patient neglects treatment, conducts it incorrectly, or self-medicates, complications may occur. These include:

constant pain in the foot;
arthrosis;
limb deformity;
omission of the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot (flat feet);
the formation of bone growths up to;
decreased mobility of the foot.

In some cases, complications are so severe that they require surgical intervention.

The human foot is a complex anatomical structure that includes various groups of bones, muscles, and ligaments. The metatarsal bones are considered an important component of the complex structure of the limbs, so their fractures cause many problems. Limb support injuries are dangerous in their consequences, so it is important to determine the extent to which the bone has suffered. Fractures of the 5th metatarsal bone without displacement are no exception, the rehabilitation process of which requires special attention.

Concept, causes, types of fractures

Among the injuries of the foot, the leading position is occupied by a fracture of the metatarsal bone, and especially damage to the fifth bone.

A fracture of the metatarsal bones is a damage to their anatomical integrity under the influence of traumatic factors. The fifth metatarsal bone can be injured in the areas of the base, middle part, and head.

The human leg support consists of twenty-six bones closely connected to each other by ligaments and small joints. Due to this structure, the destruction of one of the bone fragments affects the functioning of the entire limb.

Limb support injuries occur under the influence of prolonged intense loads, weakening of the bone structure as a result of the development of osteoporosis. Often the victims of such injuries are athletes, as well as women who are professionally involved in dancing.

Classification

Scientific classification divides injuries of the fifth metatarsal into two types:

traumatic;
fatigue.

The first type of fracture occurs under the influence of injuries, falls, squeezing.

The manifestation of the second type is associated with the site of injury and the nature of the displacement. It is the fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone of the foot that refers to fatigue injuries. Such injury happens with displacement, as well as without it.

If the victim had a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone without displacement, fragments of the damaged area of the bone structure retain their anatomical position. Displaced injuries can be expressed as an open wound and a difficult recovery period.
Injuries are marked by dissociation of bone fragments and an uncharacteristic position. The danger of injury with displacement lies in improper fusion of fragments.

Sometimes there is a marching fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone structure of the limb. This type of leg support injury is called fatigue. A marching fracture occurs due to a prolonged load on the leg during a period when the foot is tired or in an uncomfortable position. A marching fault is treated for a long time, its danger lies in the complications that arise after an injury.

In traumatology, one of the manifestations of injuries of the fifth metatarsal bone is the Jones fracture. This type of injury occurs at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone and has a long period of fusion of bone fragments. This pathology is due to the fact that at the base of the bone surface there is poor blood circulation.

An avulsion fracture of the base of the metatarsal bone is expressed as an injury that occurs due to the avulsion of a bone fragment under the influence of tension on the tendons attached to it. This type of fracture occurs when the foot is everted. This injury to the base of the fifth metatarsal is often overlooked because it is obscured by the appearance of an ankle sprain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pathology are characterized by the severity and localization of damage.

Stress or fatigue pathologies of the support of the lower extremities have the following symptoms:

Point pain at the fracture site during palpation.

The occurrence of swelling, which is not accompanied by bruising.

The danger of these types of injuries lies in the fact that the victims do not always take the symptoms seriously. Untimely treatment for treatment causes the development of irreversible processes.

Complications

If the symptoms of injury are not detected in time, then without treatment, the negative consequences will manifest themselves immediately.

Injuries to the fifth metatarsal can cause the following:

chronic pain in the entire foot;
development of arthrosis;
deformation of the bone structure;
dysfunction of the foot.

Arthrosis manifests itself in cases where the injury has affected the articular tissues, while the destruction causes pain.

The consequences of degenerative changes limit the movement of the foot, there are problems with the selection of shoes.

In addition, medical science divides the consequences of bone injury into several groups: direct, early and late.

Straight lines occur during a fracture. Early consequences appear in the first days after the injury of the metatarsal bone of the foot. After injury - late consequences of injury.

The consequences of injuries lead to nonunion of bone fragments, which can result in surgical intervention.

We diagnose pathology

X-ray and examination of the patient are identified as the main methods for diagnosing non-displaced fifth metatarsal injuries. To identify an injury, it is necessary to make an x-ray of two projections of the lower limb support, but with fatigue, even the most experienced specialists have difficulties with establishing a diagnosis. In this case, repeated pictures are taken two weeks later, after bone tissue resorption at the site of its lesion.

A non-displaced fracture is difficult to identify until it wears away and a callus forms. To clarify the diagnosis, computed tomography is performed.

The treatment of a fracture is related to the location of the fracture, its nature, and the presence of bone displacement.

Displaced injuries involve surgery, during which bone fragments are connected, and then fixed with implants. For displaced fractures, pins are used, which are removed after healing. The final treatment and rehabilitation is carried out in an inpatient setting, since a special recovery period is required after the operation of displaced fracture sites.

For injuries without displacement, plaster fixation of the limb is used. The patient should move around with crutches during rehabilitation and avoid weight bearing on the injured foot even after the symptoms of the injury have subsided. How long the rehabilitation will last depends on the process of fusion of bone fragments. Treatment of damage to the fifth metatarsal lasts one and a half months.

Full recovery will take a longer period. For the treatment of a simple foot injury without displacement, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the attending physician.

Restoring the foot

After removing the cast, experts recommend doing foot massage, which allows you to develop muscles and tendons. For the treatment of residual effects of injury, physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out. The therapeutic effect of these measures promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue.

Treatment after an injury does not exclude physical therapy exercises that help restore flexibility, mobility of the foot, stretch tendons and ligaments.

Salt water baths are also used to treat injured feet. Water procedures have a calming effect on joints and ligaments. In addition, baths with sea salt strengthen the bone base.

As a method of treatment after limb injuries, doctors recommend orthopedic insoles and special shoes. The foot is balanced by the first and fifth metatarsals. If you do not use insoles, then the bone can part, which will contribute to the development of flat feet. Insoles are worn from six months to one year. Treatment with orthopedic devices helps to avoid deformation of the foot.

Start walking immediately after removing the cast. Recovery is accompanied by pain, but gradually the discomfort disappears. A moderate load on the foot reduces the likelihood of new foot injuries, including the possibility of getting a mid-flight fracture again.

Early detection and proper treatment restores the normal functioning of the limb, avoiding unpleasant consequences for human health.

Frequent violation of the lower extremities - a fracture of the foot. The foot is formed by the so-called metatarsal bones. They are quite fragile relative to other bones of the human skeleton, so they are easy to damage or even break. According to statistics, every sixth case of fractures occurs precisely in the metatarsal bones.

A fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is dangerous because, as a result of inadequate treatment or ignoring the injury, a person may lose the ability to move independently. The anatomical structure of the foot is such that the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones are most often injured, but a fracture of the third is quite rare.

The reason for the prevalence of a dangerous injury is that anatomically, the foot forms 26 bones. Together they make up a perfectly tuned mechanism that allows a person to make movements, take on increased loads. Injury to even one of these bones leads to a malfunction of the entire foot, so there is a possibility of losing the ability to walk.

The severity of the injury directly depends on which bone is damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to know in detail the anatomical structure of the foot in order to determine the location of the injury, the likely consequences that it can cause.

Anatomically, the foot has 26 bones, of which:

As already mentioned, the bones of the foot together form an ideal, but complex mechanism, they are able to take on the entire weight of the human body, the corresponding load during movements. In addition, these bones allow you to compensate for the shocks received when walking. A fracture of the metatarsal bones of the foot reduces the functionality of the foot.

Types of fractures

Since a fracture of the metatarsal bones is a damage to the integrity due to a traumatic effect, there is the following classification:

by location or localization: at the base, violation of the body, subcapitate;
along the direction of damage: oblique, transverse, comminuted, helical.

In addition, the fracture can be displaced or non-displaced, open or closed. All types of violations of the bones of the foot are equally dangerous, since the injured leg can fail for a long time.

The cause of injury can be not only a traumatic effect on the foot, but also the so-called fatigue type of damage. It is characterized by imperceptible cracks at the base of the foot.

A separate classification is the so-called "Jones fracture". This type of lesion appears at the base of the fifth metatarsal. It is characterized by a rather slow fusion of bone fragments. It often happens that this bone simply does not grow together, which threatens with problems in the future.

Important! It is possible to understand the mechanism of pathology only by carefully studying the anatomical structure of the entire foot.

Risk factors

This type of injury is very common in a certain population. Basically, these are young people in the age group from 20 to 40 years old who are actively involved in sports. In addition, professional football players, people involved in ballet get a similar injury.

There are many reasons why this injury can occur:

prolonged physical activity;
traumatic impact when a heavy object falls;
traffic accident;
jump from a great height;
chronic diseases of the bones and joints, such as osteoporosis;
improperly selected shoes (too narrow);
congenital deformity of the foot.

Fractures of this kind are very important to cure in a timely manner, otherwise, with time and age, they can give serious complications.

Clinical symptoms

Metatarsal fracture can be stressful (fatigue) and traumatic. Manifested signs of injury also differ in the nature of the development of damage.

A fatigue fracture is also called a march or stress fracture, it can occur as a result of prolonged stress on the foot. Such injuries are characterized by a series of small cracks at the base of the foot.

An injury resulting from "fatigue" of the foot exhibits the following symptoms:

nagging pain that appears due to increased stress (for example, walking, long climbing stairs, long running, etc.). The pain does not manifest itself strongly, the sensations are more similar to pain from muscle and ligament tension;
the pain disappears at rest, but actively develops if you start moving again;
the leg barely noticeably swells, but does not show other manifestations (hematomas and bruises) - habitual shoes can become narrow for no apparent reason;
pain occurs on palpation of the site of injury.

Diagnosis of a fatigue fracture is complicated by the fact that, due to mild signs, it is quite easy to mistake it for a stretching of the connective tissues. This error can lead to adverse consequences in the future.

The victim often believes that he just hurt his leg, this theory is confirmed by the passing pain. However, untreated fatigue-type injuries can quickly develop into a full fracture. And the consequences of this kind will be much more difficult to correct.

A traumatic fracture shows slightly different symptoms:

a characteristic crunch at the moment when damage occurs - this characterizes a bone fracture;
strong and pronounced edema actively develops;
after a couple of hours, an extensive bruising appears;
external unnatural appearance - a broken finger becomes shorter or changes in shape;
severe pain that subsides at rest, but arises and intensifies again when trying to load.

The victim may note the preserved anatomy of the fingers, this characterizes a simple fracture without displacement. An open injury is characterized by bone fragments and lacerations. Such wounds are dangerous for the development of dangerous infections (gangrene, sepsis, and others).

Likely consequences

The consequences of a leg injury can be huge, since a fracture always manifests itself individually. Untimely and improper treatment can lead to complications such as:

Deformation. As a result of a fracture, the bone structure changes, and improper fusion of the metatarsal bones can also lead to this. The changed structure can lead to restriction of movement, inconvenience when choosing and wearing shoes.
In the event that the fracture touched the tissues of the joint, arthrosis may develop. In other words, the joint will begin to collapse. The process of destruction will be accompanied by severe pain.
Pain can persist for a long time, increasing or disappearing over time. Severe injuries as a result can lead to complete immobilization.
The functionality of the leg will be impaired.

Chronic pain and new illnesses, the inability to just stand still - these are just some of the more popular complications after this kind of injury.

Ongoing diagnostics

A visit to the hospital is a must. The traumatologist first of all establishes the causes of the injury: the force of impact, localization, direction of the blow. This allows you to identify a broken bone. In stress fractures, damage is associated with increased stress, such as dancing or running.

The initial examination consists in palpation of the injured foot. The ankle joint is also examined to exclude its fracture and possible sprains. In addition, external deformation, bruising and swelling can be seen with the naked eye.

Subsequently, an X-ray examination is prescribed. To establish a fracture, images in two projections are sufficient. However, stress injuries without obvious displacement are difficult to diagnose, even by x-rays. Therefore, studies are additionally assigned to computed tomography and MRI. In addition, x-ray studies are carried out after two weeks - that is how long it takes for a bone callus to begin to form.

Urgent Care

Many people know the basics of first aid, the principles of its provision differ slightly for different types of violations.

The first thing to do is to limit the movement of the victim and, if possible, reduce the load. This will prevent the spread of injury, preventing possible complications.

If you still need to move around, for example, to travel to hospitals, then your leg must be bandaged. An elastic bandage will allow you to maintain immobility, reduce swelling of the tissues and prevent the joint from loosening.

Important! It is worth loosening the bandage if numbness is felt in the rest of the leg.

The most common method of assistance is to apply ice to the injury site. Cold compresses should be done within the first two days after injury. Cold is effective in reducing pain and swelling. In addition, exposure to ice will stop the development of bruising when blood vessels rupture.

It is necessary to follow a number of rules when applying ice to an injury:

wrap the bag in a soft cloth to reduce the risk of frostbite;
apply no longer than 20 minutes;
the break should be one and a half hours;
ice should be applied as soon as possible after injury.

This method is very convenient. If ice is not available, you can apply frozen food, a cold water bottle, and similar items to the injury site.

The injured limb must be raised higher, for example, by placing a pillow or a folded jacket under it. This will reduce pain and reduce swelling. In addition, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken.

In no case should you rub the damaged area or heat it. A warm compress, unlike a cold one, will only increase the symptoms of a fracture - bruising and swelling will increase, the pain will become pronounced.

The most important thing is to limit any load until a full examination by a doctor.

It is imperative to seek medical help, and as soon as possible - this is not the kind of damage where you can treat yourself. Usually, the diagnosis is carried out by a traumatologist, however, with an open type of fracture, the help of a surgeon is extremely important - he will be able to make a bone from fragments and sew up an open wound.

Treatment consists of several important steps:

Immobilization, or, in other words, giving the foot complete immobility. This is achieved by applying a cast to the entire foot and ankle joint. Gypsum or splint will provide the injured limb with absolute rest, contributing to rapid recovery and bone fusion. However, foot immobilization is used only for non-displaced fractures.
Surgery is necessary for any displaced fracture. It is performed under local anesthesia (pain relief only at the site of injury), but more often general anesthesia is used. Bone fragments are compiled back according to the anatomical structure, after which they are fixed with special knitting needles. The operation is used for both open and closed injuries.
For some time, it is recommended that the victim use a cane or crutch to reduce the load on the legs.
Drug therapy consists in the appointment of anti-inflammatory analgesics aimed at relieving pain.
Studies are scheduled every few days so that the doctor can track how the treatment is going.
Physiotherapy and a course of therapeutic physical education are prescribed as rehabilitation.

Proper and timely treatment will avoid possible consequences, and the full implementation of the recommendations of the attending physician will significantly reduce the rehabilitation period.

The main questions for patients when contacting a traumatologist with a fracture of the metatarsal bones are: “How long will I have to wear a cast? Is it necessary to walk with crutches after a fracture? How to get back on your feet after an injury? This article will answer these and many other interesting questions.

The human foot is an anatomically complex structure and consists of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons, including soft tissues. In total, the human foot consists of 26 bones, of which only five are called metatarsals. They are the longest in the foot. What threatens a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone? More on this later.

Relevance of the problem

According to statistics today, if we talk about fractures of the metatarsal bones, this is five to six percent of the total number of all fractures of the bones of the human skeleton. These injuries are not uncommon in both males and females. The most common fracture is the 5th metatarsal, as well as the 4th (this is affected by their anatomical location, the third metatarsal bone is broken very rarely).

The bones that make up the human foot create a rather complex mechanism that performs many functions, namely: they carry out the movement of a person, withstand heavy loads of a different nature. They provide shock mitigation during human walking.

All the bones of the foot in humans, and their number is 26 pieces, are very closely related to each other. If one of them is injured, damaged or displaced, then this can affect further deformations and dysfunctions of the others.

Groups that are at risk for fractures:

People between the ages of twenty and forty.
Men who are actively involved in sports.
Ballerinas.
Footballers.

An open or closed fracture of the 5th metatarsal is common in these categories.

The anatomical structure of the human foot

The metatarsal bones are 5 tubular bones located between the phalanges of the fingers and the tarsal bones. Their main function is to provide active movement of the foot and play the role of a lever (running, walking and jumping).
Short tubular bones (phalanges) of the toes. The 1st toe consists of 2 phalanges, all the rest of the 3. The total number of them on each leg is 14. A fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone can occur completely by accident.
Three cuneiform bones. They are so named because of their wedge-shaped shape.
located on the side of the foot.
located at the front of the foot.
Talus.

If a person has received a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone, then he should contact an orthopedic traumatologist.

Types of fractures

A fracture of the metatarsal bones is understood as a violation of their integrity due to injury.

They are classified as:

resulting from trauma.
Appeared due to fatigue or stress.

Various fracture lines:

Transverse.
oblique.
T-shaped.
In the form of a wedge.

Fractures due to trauma

Consider fractures resulting from trauma. They can form due to a blow to the foot with a heavy object, as well as tucking of the foot in the process of walking or running.

The following types of fractures are classified:

Fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone with displacement - as a result of a fracture, bone fragments are displaced.
Bone fragments do not move.
Open fractures.
Closed fracture of the 5th metatarsal of the foot.

If a person has received such an injury without displacement, then the elements of the damaged bone will remain in the same position. An open fracture is accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the skin, in which case parts of the bones can be seen in the wound.

An open fracture is dangerous for a person, since the percentage of infection and the occurrence of complications in the future, such as phlegmon, osteomyelitis, sepsis, gangrene and tetanus, is very high. How long does it take for a 5th metatarsal fracture to heal? More on that below.

Main clinical signs

Pain at the site of a fracture of these bones appears either immediately after the injury, or after some time.
Damage to the bones immediately at the time of injury is accompanied by a crunch, which the patient can hear.
Possible deviation of the metatarsal bone to the side.
The patient has a visually shortened toe.
There may be swelling the day after the fracture or on the same day.

Jones fracture

One such type of injury is a Jones fracture. This is a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone with a displacement, in which the fragments slowly grow together. After it, in some patients, the bone never grows together.

Patients can often be misdiagnosed. As a result, the treatment of sprained ligaments of the foot is prescribed.

Fractures due to fatigue

These are injuries that are characterized by cracks that are hardly noticeable on x-rays.

Reasons for this phenomenon:

Heavy physical activity on the foot area.
In particular, it is observed among athletes who, in the process of running, quickly increase their mileage in marathons.
The structure and shape of the metatarsal bones with deviation.
Changing the shape of the foot.
The impact of narrow shoes when wearing them.
Often diagnosed in people involved in ballroom dancing at a professional level.
Osteoporosis.

With the above types of fractures, mandatory and timely treatment is required. Negligent attitude to such an injury can seriously affect the condition of the foot in the future.

How to diagnose such a fracture?

The patient has pain in the foot after exercise (long walking or running).
The pain disappears after a short rest, and then increases again if the person begins to walk around the room or stands in one place for a long time.

When probing the foot, the patient indicates a point pain at the fracture site.
An external sign of a fracture is swelling of the foot, but without bruising.

The above symptoms indicate that you need to contact a traumatologist. Similar signs are observed with a fracture of the metatarsal bones and sprains. The belief is considered erroneous: if the patient walks, then he does not need medical care. Diagnosis of a fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal bone of the foot, carried out out of time, and unqualified treatment of any fractures, including fatigue ones, leads to serious consequences.

What are the complications?

The bone structure of the human foot changes, leading to limited movement and making it difficult to wear shoes.
Perhaps the development of arthrosis at the site of injury.
It is important to align the displaced bone elements, otherwise angular deformation may occur.
The patient suffers from chronic foot pain.
The patient quickly feels tired in the legs, and especially when he walks or stands still.
If that is necessary to do or make operation.

Diagnostics

After a fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal bone, the diagnosis can be made by the presence of an injury, patient complaints, visual examination of the foot, and also using x-ray equipment.

Treatment

Modern types of treatment in traumatology:

Applying a plaster cast. It is used in the case when there was a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone of the foot without displacement of the fragments.
A plaster bandage is used to protect the site of injury from various types of impact on the fracture, ensures the correct position of bone fragments in the anatomical plan and the immobility of the foot, which is necessary for rapid healing.
Surgery. The displacement of bone fragments as a result of a metatarsal fracture requires surgical intervention, as well as the use of mini-implants for their fixation and comparison.
The patient needs to use crutches while walking for the entire period, regardless of the type of treatment (surgical or conservative). Crutches help relieve stress on the foot.
When the patient is allowed to remove the bandage, a rehabilitation course awaits him to return to active life and restore the function of the foot.

Modern medicine provides a new method of treatment, the so-called osteosynthesis, with the help of which the doctor has the opportunity to compare bone fragments and give them the correct position. With the help of a special rod, fixation is carried out inside the bone. This technique makes it possible in the early stages to use the load on the foot and make more movements with the toes.

The need for immobilization

In order to minimize the acute consequences of a metatarsal injury, rest and a limited set of movements are needed, which, in turn, will help to eliminate secondary displacement and create all favorable conditions for rehabilitation.

If the victim does not have displacement of fragments, then the gypsum in case of a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone is changed to a special orthosis.

It allows you to do physical activity on the leg, without provoking pain and swelling of the soft tissues of the foot.

Together with the immobilization of the fracture, painkillers, physiotherapy, vascular preparations and decongestant ointments can be prescribed. The decline in this phenomenon suggests that five to seven days after a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone, it is possible to conduct a control radiography.

So, a sharp increase in physical activity on the foot leads to fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone. Patients complain of pain when they exercise regularly. At first, it makes itself felt only during exercise, then the symptoms appear more and more often, as a result, a clinical picture of a “fresh fracture” develops.

The doctor must conduct an examination. He needs to examine both ankles, the scaphoid, and the base of the 5th metatarsal. Examination is carried out using X-ray equipment. For any fracture, and especially the 5th metatarsal bone, an X-ray of the foot is performed in 3 projections: lateral, anteroposterior and oblique. In severe cases, it is possible to use other methods of radiation diagnostics: MRI or functional imaging.

First aid to the victim

Prehospital first aid includes:

Creating the necessary rest for the foot.
It is necessary to apply cold to the area of the fifth metatarsal bone. An ice pack helps a lot. It is used to reduce swelling of soft tissues and reduce pain in the foot. At home, an ordinary towel is suitable, in which ice is wrapped. There is a certain period of time for which cold can be applied. It is necessary to do this procedure for twenty minutes every hour.
An elastic bandage is suitable for fixing the foot in order to later put a compression stocking on the leg. Its use requires uniform bandaging in order to exclude circulatory disorders of the lower limb.
The injured foot should be placed on a raised platform. The patient places the foot just above the hip.
It is possible to put a splint on the foot.
Find the nearest emergency room for medical attention.

Fracture of the 5th metatarsal: rehabilitation

A plaster bandage for a fracture is worn for one and a half months.

The attending physician (traumatologist) may allow the patient to step on a broken leg only if a fused metatarsal fracture is visible on the x-ray. should be removed only with the permission of a doctor. Doing this is premature and prohibited. Physical activity during the recovery period is important to dose. The first thing the patient should do is step solely on the heel and, over time, put the load on the entire foot. The doctor prescribes physical therapy, which contributes to the rapid restoration of function and helps to return the patient with a fracture to normal life. In the event of pain during physical education, it is necessary to suspend the prescribed course.

Swimming, massage and physiotherapy have a positive effect. Water exercises with minor loads effectively restore the normal functioning of the foot. If the swelling of the leg has increased, you can use Lyoton 1000 or Troxevasin ointments.

Special orthopedic shoes and insoles prescribed by a doctor make the rehabilitation process more comfortable. It is also recommended to do homework.

Exercises

"Home exercise" for the foot is as follows:

Flexion and extension of the toes.
Sitting on a chair, you need to “get up” on your toes and on your heels.
Pull the foot towards you (ten to fifteen times).
Stretch the foot away from you (ten to fifteen times).
Turn the foot to the left (ten times).
Turn the foot to the right (ten times).

Foot function usually returns to normal 1 month after the cast is removed. To strengthen the bones, the patient should eat foods high in calcium and vitamins daily.

A fracture can happen to anyone, especially if a person leads an active lifestyle. You need to be careful, try to avoid traumatic moments, wear comfortable shoes and try to eat foods with sufficient calcium content.

The human foot is made up of 26 bones. Of these, the 5 longest tubular bones are called metatarsals. Foot injuries are quite common, this is due to the fact that it experiences high static and dynamic loads.

Fracture of the metatarsal bones of the foot (ICD 10 - S 92.3) accounts for approximately 4% of all skeletal injuries. In a healthy person, fractures rarely occur even with serious injuries. There are always prerequisites in the form of chronic diseases that can lead to a violation of the health and integrity of ligaments, muscles and bones.

In what cases is it likely to damage the metatarsal bones?

If you drop a heavy object on your foot
- When jumping from a height
- In car accidents
- Playing football (the most common cause of this injury)
- During ballet dances
- Twisting of the foot in the ankle joint when walking or running

The risk of fracture increases in people with osteoporosis (weakening of the bone tissue) or in the elderly. In addition, professional athletes are prone to fatigue or stress fractures of bones due to intense stress on the legs.

How can you tell a fracture from a bruise or sprain in the foot?

It is necessary immediately after the injury, before the edema develops, to compare the diseased foot and the healthy one. The presence of protruding parts on the injured side, asymmetry, shortening of the fingers, or other changes in shape are highly likely to indicate a fracture.
- A sharp increase in pain when trying to move the foot or toes. And, on the contrary, in a motionless state, the pain subsides. With a bruise or sprain, the pain is not so contrasting.
- Unnatural mobility of the bones.
- In open fractures, the bone may stick out. It's hard to go wrong here.
- An x-ray will absolutely show whether there is a fracture or not.
- Bruising and swelling can occur with any type of injury.

How is a metatarsal fracture treated?

In the first hours after the fracture, it is necessary to ensure the rest of the foot. To relieve swelling, you can use a short-term (no more than 20 minutes) application of a cold compress. If the pain is unbearable, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used.

If the fracture is not complicated, then in the hospital they will take an x-ray, and after that, if necessary, they will set the bones and put a cast. You will walk in it for three to six weeks until the bones heal. Some doctors prefer to wrap the leg with an elastic bandage instead of a cast. You may need to use crutches while walking.

There are many types of fractures. Open and closed. With or without offset. In difficult cases, surgery may be required, during which the fragments of the metatarsal bone will be held together with metal elements. This procedure is called metal osteosynthesis. Below you can watch a video about it.

Most often (55% of cases) there is a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone of the foot. In the picture below you can see three types of fracture:

Fracture of the diaphysis, which is more often due to stress loads
- Jones fracture
- Avulsion fracture

The last two are the most annoying. This is due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the area of the base of the 5th metatarsal bone, which leads to difficult fusion of fragments. In this situation, recovery can take up to 6 months.

What complications can arise from a fracture?

Change in the shape and position of the bones. This can lead to limited mobility and inconvenience in wearing shoes. There are cases of complete immobilization of the foot due to improper fusion of the bones.
- Arthrosis of the joints of the foot

Any injury, and especially a fracture, requires adequate rehabilitation. When the bones have grown together and all the wounds have healed, it is necessary to develop the joints that are next to the damage. We also recommend that within 1-3 weeks (depending on the complexity) to perform daily self-massage of the diseased foot for at least 10 minutes a day. Practice shows that people are too lazy to engage in self-healing, and therefore over the years their foot loses most of its mobility. From this, then problems such as: back pain, sciatica, disruption of the work of some organs and functional systems can arise.