Because of a vascular watershed area, Jones fractures do not typically heal, leading to nonunion. Jones fractures are a subset of fifth metatarsal base fractures, occurring at the articulation between the fourth and fifth metatarsals. Jones fractures do not heal easily due to the lack of adequate blood supply to the area.Īlmost 75 percent of all Jones fractures eventually heal properly, however, and do not recur.Fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal are common injuries managed by orthopaedic surgeons. The fracture can then become a chronic condition. If the Jones fracture fails to heal correctly, the patient may be required to wear the cast for up to twenty weeks. Increase your intake of vitamin D and calcium.Rest as often as possible the healing process can take four to six weeks.Use crutches, a splint, or a walking boot at all times, unless resting.Casting is usually all that is needed to treat a mild Jones fracture.Īdditional instructions your doctor may give you include: If you only have a mild Jones fracture, surgery should not be necessary. The foot is then cast so that the bone is protected during the healing process. Sometimes a physician will also use a bone stimulator to assist the bone healing. Jones fracture surgery is usually performed if the fracture is displaced, if it does not heal properly, or if the problem is chronic.Ī variety of devices can be used to fixate a Jones fracture, including screws, bone plates, wires, or pins. What To Expect From Jones Fracture Surgery If there is delayed healing, a bone stimulator may be used. Younger people are known to heal faster from bone injuries. Your age may also play a role in healing time. Rehabilitation may take an additional two to three weeks. In most cases, rehabilitation can begin once the cast is removed, and you will gradually be able to resume your normal activities. You may be given NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and swelling during the healing process. For athletes, or those who incur an acute Jones fracture, surgery may be required. Patients are advised not to put weight on the injured foot until so instructed by their doctor. This treatment is sufficient for 75 percent of mild Jones fractures. If the Jones fracture is not significant, it is typically treated with a cast, splint, or walking boot for six to eight weeks. Your doctor will perform an x-ray to determine the extent of the fracture, to confirm that it is indeed a Jones fracture, and to make sure there is no other damage. This can prevent the problem from worsening and catch any other damage in its early stages. If you injure your fifth metatarsal bone, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Overuse, repetitive stress, and trauma are the leading causes of Jones fractures.ĭiagnosing a Jones Fracture – What to Expect Inversion injuries happen when the foot or ankle twists inward. In most cases, a Jones fracture is attributed to a twisting inversion injury to the foot. Patients who suffer a Jones fracture describe symptoms that include: In fact, the Jones fracture is also known as a Dancer’s fracture, since many people incur this injury while participating in activities such as dancing. He said that he incurred the injury while dancing. Sir Robert Jones was the first to describe the Jones fracture in 1902. Often there is a stress reaction in that area of the bone which has predisposed the area to injury. Jones fractures can be acute (sudden) or chronic. It is also important to get a proper diagnosis, because a true Jones fracture often results in a non-union (the permanent failure of a bone to heal) if it is not identified and managed properly. Jones fractures disrupt that blood supply and can take much longer to heal, and may require surgery for treatment. The area of the Jones fracture has a very small blood supply. This is why it’s important to have your injury diagnosed as soon as possible. It is located about ½ inch distal (further from the body) to the projecting part (the tuberosity) of the fifth metatarsal.Ī Jones fracture is often mistaken for a sprain or an avulsion fracture. A Jones fracture occurs at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone (the one connected to the pinky toe), at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction, ¾ of an inch away from the base of the fifth metatarsal. The Jones fracture is a fairly common fracture of the fifth metatarsal.
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