Jones Fracture
If you think you might have a Jones fracture, you may notice sharp pain, tenderness, swelling, and discoloration on the outside of your foot. It's important to seek medical attention promptly, especially if you've recently increased your physical activity or engaged in activities involving lateral movements. Learn more about prevention and treatment options for a Jones fracture.
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What Is A Jones Fracture?
A Jones fracture is a fracture of the bone on the pinky toe side of your foot, the fifth metatarsal bone.
This fracture can happen when you increase your training, increase pressure on your feet from gaining weight, or run on uneven surfaces. You can also fracture this bone during lateral (side-to-side) movements or while dancing en pointe, as in ballet.
A Jones fracture often happens near the end of the bone and usually disrupts blood flow. Because the bone gets less blood, your healing time goes up.
How do you prevent a Jones fracture?
To help prevent a Jones fracture:
- Wear proper shoes for your activity.
- Use proper training techniques.
- Avoid running on uneven surfaces.
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What Are the Symptoms of a Jones fracture?
Jones fracture symptoms include:
- Sharp stabbing pain on the outside of the foot
- Tenderness to the touch
- Swelling
- Discoloration
If you experience any of the above Jones fracture symptoms, consider seeking medical treatment. If you think you have broken a bone in your foot, you should stop activity and speak with your doctor.
The avulsion foot fracture also commonly occurs in the fifth metatarsal. These two fractures have similar symptoms, but avulsion foot fractures occur as the result of an ankle roll. Anyone who has symptoms of a fifth metatarsal fracture should seek medical attention.
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How Do You Diagnose a Jones Fracture?
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you about what activity you were doing when you hurt your foot. He or she will perform an x-ray to diagnose the Jones fracture or avulsion fracture and see the extent of the injury.
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How Do You Treat A Jones fracture?
The first step of Jones fracture treatment is rest and to prevent movement in the foot. Apply ice to the break as well.
Jones fracture surgery may be needed to align the bone and help with healing. These fractures will sometimes heal on their own, but may take months to heal without surgery.
You will need to wear a cast or boot on your foot and use crutches until the bone has healed and can bear weight again.
Jones fracture rehabilitation
After the cast is removed, you will need to have rehabilitation. This involves stretching and strengthening exercises order to safely get back to previous activity levels.
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