Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What is a Jones Fracture?
A Jones fracture is a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the foot which is at the base of the small toe. The proximal end,
where the Jones fracture occurs, is in the midportion of the foot. These fractures are very common in the fifth metatarsal
– the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe.
Two types of fractures that often occur in the fifth metatarsal are:
• Avulsion fracture. In an avulsion fracture, a small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a
tendon or ligament. This type of fracture is the result of an injury in which the ankle rolls. Avulsion fractures are
often overlooked when they occur with an ankle sprain.
• Jones fracture. Jones fractures occur in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives less blood and is
therefore more prone to difficulties in healing. A Jones fracture can be either a stress fracture or an acute break.
Jones fractures are caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or trauma.
Symptoms
Patients who sustain a Jones fracture have pain over this middle/outside area of their foot, swelling, Tenderness on the
outside of the foot and, difficulty walking and bruising. Most often a Jones fracture is caused without significant injury or
impact.
Jones fractures can become chronic conditions if the fracture fails to unite, or heal. If this is the case, surgery will likely
be recommended to secure the fracture in place with a screw, and bone graft may be used to stimulate a healing
response. In some patients, especially competitive athletes, surgery may be recommended to try to avoid the lengthy
healing period for a Jones fracture to heal.
Treatment
If a Jones fracture is not significantly displaced, it can be treated with a cast, splint or walking boot for four to eight
weeks. Patients should not place weight on the foot.
In the case of acute fracture in an athlete, a dynamic compression plate can be placed on the tension side of the
fracture.
Other treatments commonly encouraged are increased intake of vitamin C and calcium
If a Jones fracture fails to unite, it can become a chronic condition. If this is the case, Podiatric Physicians will likely
recommend that the patient spend more time in a cast, up to twenty weeks.
For several reasons, a Jones fracture often does not heal. The diaphyseal bone, where the fracture occurs, is an area
of poor blood supply. In medical terms, it is a watershed area between two blood supplies. This makes healing difficult.
In addition, there are various tendons, including the peroneus brevis and fibularis quartus, and two small muscles
attached to the bone. These may pull the fracture apart and prevent healing.
Non-surgical Treatment
• Rest: Stay off the injured foot. Walking may cause further injury.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area
• Compression: An elastic wrap should be used to control swelling.
• Elevation: The foot should be raised slightly above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
• 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.
• Bone stimulation. A pain-free external device is used to speed the healing of some fractures. Bone stimulation,
most commonly used for Jones fractures, may be used as part of the treatment or following an inadequate
response to immobilization.
• Surgery- If the injury involves a displaced bone, multiple breaks, or has failed to adequately heal, surgery may be
required. The foot and ankle surgeon will determine the type of procedure that is best suited to the individual
patient.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information collected from mayoclinic.com
A Jones fracture is a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the foot which is at the base of the small toe. The proximal end,
where the Jones fracture occurs, is in the midportion of the foot. These fractures are very common in the fifth metatarsal
– the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe.
Two types of fractures that often occur in the fifth metatarsal are:
• Avulsion fracture. In an avulsion fracture, a small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a
tendon or ligament. This type of fracture is the result of an injury in which the ankle rolls. Avulsion fractures are
often overlooked when they occur with an ankle sprain.
• Jones fracture. Jones fractures occur in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives less blood and is
therefore more prone to difficulties in healing. A Jones fracture can be either a stress fracture or an acute break.
Jones fractures are caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or trauma.
Symptoms
Patients who sustain a Jones fracture have pain over this middle/outside area of their foot, swelling, Tenderness on the
outside of the foot and, difficulty walking and bruising. Most often a Jones fracture is caused without significant injury or
impact.
Jones fractures can become chronic conditions if the fracture fails to unite, or heal. If this is the case, surgery will likely
be recommended to secure the fracture in place with a screw, and bone graft may be used to stimulate a healing
response. In some patients, especially competitive athletes, surgery may be recommended to try to avoid the lengthy
healing period for a Jones fracture to heal.
Treatment
If a Jones fracture is not significantly displaced, it can be treated with a cast, splint or walking boot for four to eight
weeks. Patients should not place weight on the foot.
In the case of acute fracture in an athlete, a dynamic compression plate can be placed on the tension side of the
fracture.
Other treatments commonly encouraged are increased intake of vitamin C and calcium
If a Jones fracture fails to unite, it can become a chronic condition. If this is the case, Podiatric Physicians will likely
recommend that the patient spend more time in a cast, up to twenty weeks.
For several reasons, a Jones fracture often does not heal. The diaphyseal bone, where the fracture occurs, is an area
of poor blood supply. In medical terms, it is a watershed area between two blood supplies. This makes healing difficult.
In addition, there are various tendons, including the peroneus brevis and fibularis quartus, and two small muscles
attached to the bone. These may pull the fracture apart and prevent healing.
Non-surgical Treatment
• Rest: Stay off the injured foot. Walking may cause further injury.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area
• Compression: An elastic wrap should be used to control swelling.
• Elevation: The foot should be raised slightly above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
• 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.
• Bone stimulation. A pain-free external device is used to speed the healing of some fractures. Bone stimulation,
most commonly used for Jones fractures, may be used as part of the treatment or following an inadequate
response to immobilization.
• Surgery- If the injury involves a displaced bone, multiple breaks, or has failed to adequately heal, surgery may be
required. The foot and ankle surgeon will determine the type of procedure that is best suited to the individual
patient.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information collected from mayoclinic.com
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