home Analyzes Fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone: characteristics of the injury. Fractures of the metatarsal bones Fracture of the 5th metatarsal foot with displacement

Fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone: characteristics of the injury. Fractures of the metatarsal bones Fracture of the 5th metatarsal foot with displacement

A metatarsal fracture is one of the most common injuries, characterized by intense pain and swelling in the foot area. Diagnosing the pathology is difficult because its symptoms are similar to a regular blow or bruise.

The foot is the last section of the lower limb and consists of:

Tarsus – back side. Includes seven bones, which are arranged in two rows: calcaneus, talus, navicular, three wedge-shaped, cuboid.
Metatarsus – plantar part. It is formed by five tubular bones having a base, a head and a body. They are connected into a single whole using joints.
Fingers. Four of them have three phalanges, one has two.

The following joints are located in this area:

ankle (located at the base of the foot, shaped like a block);
subtalar;
wedge-scaphoid;
metatarsophalangeal.

There are two muscle groups here:

shins - form the arches of the feet;
plantar - provide movement of the fingers, serve to support bones.

To connect them to the bones there are tendons and ligaments.

Due to the structural features of the foot, it supports the weight of a person and allows the body to move freely in space.

Causes of fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone

Injury to the fifth metatarsal bone (march fracture) is the result of a blow from a heavy object, occurs as a result of a car accident, or an unsuccessful fall. It happens due to a twisted leg due to careless or fast walking or running.

Those most at risk of fracture are:

professional athletes;
women wearing high heels;
elderly people suffering from osteoporosis.

Types of fractures

The following types of fractures of the 5th metatarsal bone are distinguished:

separation of the head or base tuberosity;
injury to the wide part of the base of the bone (Jones fracture);
diaphyseal;
fracture of the neck or distal metaphysis.

Depending on the displacement of the bones, a fracture may be:

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

Based on the degree of damage to the skin, injuries are determined:

open;
closed.

Signs of a fracture

The disease manifests itself:

acute pain, which tends to intensify with exercise;
swelling (increases in the evening);
lameness, inability to step on the leg freely;
formation of subcutaneous hematoma;
the occurrence of lameness;
a crunching or clicking sound in the problem area.

Diagnostics

The pathology is diagnosed by visually examining the damaged area and collecting the patient’s medical history.

Additionally, an X-ray examination of the foot bones is carried out in two planes, which is repeated after 10 days. This makes it possible to establish the presence of stress fractures and distinguish them from dislocations and bruises. To obtain the most accurate picture of the disease, scintigraphy is prescribed - radiation diagnostics.

If severe swelling is present, an MRI is prescribed.

After analyzing the obtained images, the doctor determines the direction of further action.

If a limb is injured in the foot area, you must immediately call a doctor. Before doctors arrive, the injured person needs to be given first aid correctly. To do this you need:

Immobilize the affected leg as much as possible.
Apply cold to the injured area. Ice is applied for no more than 20-30 minutes, the interval between compresses should be one and a half hours. Otherwise, frostbite and tissue necrosis may occur.
Apply a bandage. The elastic bandage should not be wound too tightly so as not to pinch the blood vessels.
Raise the limb higher than the body and fix it: this measure helps reduce swelling and dull pain.

If possible, the patient should be taken to the emergency room independently, without waiting for doctors.

Treatment

Treatment for a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone depends on the nature and severity of the injury. If there is no displacement, fragments, or open wounds, then the damage heals quickly. Acute pain is relieved with painkillers in the form of tablets, ointments and gels for external use. Until the bone heals, you should limit physical activity on the affected leg. For this purpose, the limb is immobilized with a plaster cast, and the person can move with the help of crutches. After receiving the results of the control x-ray and making sure that the bone has fused, the patient is allowed to step on the injured leg. To reduce the load, it is recommended to use special orthopedic insoles.

In the event that there are fractures with displacement of bone fragments or the integrity of the skin is compromised, mandatory surgical intervention is indicated.

Operation

It is carried out when parts of the bone are displaced relative to each other by more than half their width. During the operation, they are positioned in the desired position, fixed with special fasteners, and then the needles are inserted. After the manipulation is completed, a suture is placed on the surgical incision (plaster is not used). The victim has the ability to move independently with support on his heel for one month.

Plaster boot

It is a tight plaster cast that is applied from the ankle to the toes. It ensures the immobility of the broken bone, prevents further divergence by the fragment, and protects the limb from accidental blows and bruises. The cast is worn continuously for 4-6 weeks.

Foot orthosis for metatarsal fractures

A foot brace or orthosis is used for a minor fracture (without displacement or rupture of soft tissue). It is more aesthetic, allows you to immobilize the foot, reducing the load on this part of the body. It is unacceptable to use such fixing devices when there are several fractures of the metatarsal bones.

Treatment with folk remedies

They resort to unconventional recipes to speed up the healing process of fractures, as well as to relieve acute pain. There are various options for making decoctions and infusions that should be taken orally. Topical use of herbal medicines is unacceptable.

For injury, comfrey tincture is popular. It is prepared at home as follows: one tablespoon of plant material is poured with a glass of boiling water and left to infuse. When the liquid has cooled, it is filtered. Take the medicine in the amount of two teaspoons three times a day. They are treated in a similar way for a month.

Alternative medicine is considered only as an addition to basic treatment.

Conservative therapy

In case of minor injuries, it is assumed that a plaster cast or a tight bandage is applied, which helps fix the bones in the desired position. The skeletal traction method can be used.

In difficult situations (open injuries with displacements), surgery is prescribed.

Among medications, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors (“Teraflex”, “Arthra”, “Dona”, “Structum”). They restore and strengthen cartilage tissue, reduce swelling. If inflammation is present, the drug Traumeel is prescribed.

Recovery after a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot, which lasts a month and a half, involves procedures aimed at developing the limb and returning its functionality. Rehabilitation measures begin immediately after the plaster is removed. Exercise therapy and massage are shown as the main ones.

Exercise therapy

Therapeutic exercise helps to develop damaged joints, strengthens the entire musculoskeletal system, prevents muscle atrophy and prevents fluid stagnation and tissue swelling.

flexion and extension of fingers;
turning the feet alternately in different directions;
pulling the feet towards oneself and back;
rolling from heel to toe;
circular movements of the feet;
grasping and moving small objects;
rolling the ball on the floor.

All techniques must be performed 10-15 times each, movements are performed slowly, with strict adherence to all safety rules. This will help prevent the risk of re-injury. It is recommended to conduct the first classes in a physical therapy room under the direct supervision of an instructor.

The procedures normalize blood circulation in the legs, improve muscle nutrition, relieve pain, and promote a speedy recovery after a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone. Massage should be performed exclusively by a specialist who thoroughly masters the technique of performing it and knows all the features of the injury.

It is recommended to do light circular and longitudinal stroking of the limb yourself at home, which also helps to develop damaged tissue.

Nutrition

To speed up recovery after a fracture, the patient needs a large amount of protein. The patient's daily diet should include meat and dairy dishes. You should also eat jellied meat and jelly: they contain components that accelerate the regeneration of cartilage.

How long does it take for a fracture to heal?

Complete healing of a fracture (closed, without displacement) with rationally selected therapy occurs within 8 weeks. The following can slow down the healing process:

Possible complications after injury

With a favorable prognosis, as well as a correctly selected regimen of therapy and rehabilitation after injury, the fracture heals within several months. Upon completion of the recovery period, the person can return to a normal, physically active life.

Failure to comply with the above conditions may result in serious consequences. These are:

constant pain in the foot;
arthrosis;
limb deformity;
drooping longitudinal and transverse arches (flat feet);
formation of bone growths;
deterioration of foot mobility.

To reduce the risk of complications, you need to be able to competently provide first aid to the victim, and then clearly and strictly follow all the recommendations of the attending physician regarding treatment and rehabilitation.

Preventive measures to avoid a foot fracture include:

compliance with safety regulations during sports competitions and training;
preventing leg fatigue, providing the body with proper rest;
wearing comfortable low-heeled shoes in everyday life;
regular gymnastics, strengthening the musculoskeletal system;
organizing proper nutrition, providing the body with sufficient vitamins.

Preventive measures must be constant and comprehensive. This will help ensure the integrity and health of your feet for a long time.

Injuries to the metatarsal bone account for 40-45% of all cases of foot fractures. There are two large groups of such pathologies: those caused by mechanical stress and those resulting from fatigue. A fracture can occur on one metatarsal bone or on several simultaneously. Based on this feature, a single or multiple pathology is distinguished. Most often, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals are susceptible to fracture; deformities of the first are rare, and cases with damage to the heel are considered the most complex. According to the type of injury, there is a division into open or closed forms.

Symptoms of a fifth metatarsal fracture

Signs of pathology vary significantly depending on the species. In some cases, such as stress fractures, the patient may well mistake the symptoms for simple bruises. There may be a complete absence of pain, and pathology is determined only by indirect signs. A stress fracture of the metatarsal bone is expressed by the following symptoms:

the appearance of pain in the foot after exercise;
formation of edema, but without hematomas;
disappearance of pain at rest.

Traumatic fracture is more pronounced. In these cases, when the bones are damaged, a characteristic crunch is clearly heard, which automatically indicates a deformation has occurred. After this, pain appears almost immediately. Other signs of a traumatic fracture include:

appearance after a few hours of severe swelling with hematoma;
unnatural position of one or more fingers;
pain subsides and then increases during exercise.

An open fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot is characterized by rupture of soft tissues with bleeding. This provokes severe pain, which is difficult not to notice. The ends of the metatarsal bones come to the surface, which are easy to detect visually through the torn skin. A fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot must be treated without fail, even if the symptoms are very mild, as it can cause serious complications.

Lit.: Great Medical Encyclopedia, 1956

There are two types of fractures, each of which is caused by its own factors. The fatigue form has a milder course and often goes away on its own. It is caused by prolonged excessive stress on the foot. They can occur when:

drill training;
long pedestrian crossings;
carrying heavy objects.

In these cases, the foot becomes loaded for a long time, which leads to the appearance of microcracks in the bone tissue. Traumatic fractures have more obvious causes. Their appearance is associated with external mechanical impact aimed at the forefoot. Such situations may arise when:

traffic accidents;
a heavy object falling on the foot;
unsuccessful landing after a jump.

In the traumatic form of the pathology, a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone most often occurs. The next largest number of deformations are the first and second. Situations when a Jones fracture occurs are considered especially difficult: the fifth bone is destroyed in an area of limited blood supply.

With any damage to the foot, it greatly loses its shock-absorbing properties. This leads to the fact that the load begins to be redistributed to other parts of the musculoskeletal system, which may well lead to new pathologies. Therefore, when a metatarsal bone is fractured, treatment is considered necessary. Diagnosis of the disease and its therapy is carried out by:

At the appointment, the doctor will immediately conduct an external examination of the foot with palpation. To get a clear picture of the damage, he will need to get answers to the following questions:

How long ago did the fracture occur?
What symptoms and with what severity did they appear during the injury?
Does the patient have chronic musculoskeletal diseases?
Features of professional activity?
What measures were taken to relieve pain symptoms?

A fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone, like other foot deformities, requires a mandatory X-ray examination. If necessary, computed tomography is used instead, showing not only the deformation of the bones, but also the condition of the soft tissues and blood vessels. The doctor always takes into account that in stress forms, x-rays do not always indicate pathology, since it develops inside the bone tissue, and the surface remains intact.

Treatment of a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone

Treatment for this injury can be either conservative or surgical. The first is used for closed fractures without displacement. In this case, ointments, gels are used to relieve swelling, a special diet and maximum rest of the injured limb. Plaster application in such cases is often not necessary. Surgical intervention is used when bone fragments are displaced by more than half the diameter or in open forms of injury. It consists in:

reposition of fragments;
fixing parts of the bone using special screws or plates;
restoration or resection of blood vessels;
suturing soft tissues.

A fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone of the foot after surgery requires the mandatory application of a plaster cast. The progress of treatment is monitored by periodic hardware studies. After the cast is removed, therapy begins the rehabilitation period, the goal of which is the complete restoration of the functions of the musculoskeletal system. All procedures are carried out under the supervision of a doctor, which eliminates complications.

Moisov Adonis Alexandrovich

Orthopedic surgeon, doctor of the highest category

Moscow, Balaklavsky prospect, 5, metro station "Chertanovskaya"

Moscow, st. Koktebelskaya 2, bldg. 1, metro station "Dmitry Donskoy Boulevard"

Moscow, st. Berzarina 17 bldg. 2, metro station "Oktyabrskoye Pole"

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Education and professional activities

Education:

In 2009 he graduated from the Yaroslavl State Medical Academy with a degree in general medicine.

From 2009 to 2011, he completed a clinical residency in traumatology and orthopedics at the Clinical Emergency Hospital named after. N.V. Solovyov in Yaroslavl.

Professional activity:

From 2011 to 2012, he worked as an orthopedic traumatologist at Emergency Hospital No. 2 in Rostov-on-Don.

Currently working in a clinic in Moscow.

Internships:

May 27 - 28, 2011 - Moscow- III International Conference “Foot and Ankle Surgery” .

2012 - training course on Foot Surgery, Paris (France). Correction of forefoot deformities, minimally invasive surgeries for plantar fasciitis (heel spurs).

February 13 -14, 2014 Moscow - II Congress of Traumatologists and Orthopedists. “Traumatology and orthopedics of the capital. Present and future."

June 26-27, 2014 - took part in V All-Russian Congress of the Society of Hand Surgeons, Kazan .

November 2014 - Advanced training "Application of arthroscopy in traumatology and orthopedics"

May 14-15, 2015 Moscow - Scientific and practical conference with international participation. "Modern traumatology, orthopedics and disaster surgeons."

2015 Moscow - Annual international conference.

May 23-24, 2016 Moscow - All-Russian Congress with international participation. .

Also at this congress he was a speaker on the topic "Minimally invasive treatment of plantar fasciitis (heel spurs)" .

June 2-3, 2016 Nizhny Novgorod - VI All-Russian Congress of the Society of Hand Surgeons .

In June 2016 Assigned. Moscow city.

Scientific and practical interests: foot surgery And hand surgery.

Metatarsals are part of the group of small tubular bones of the human skeleton. Metatarsal fractures are the most common bone fractures in the foot. Namely, fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone that occur as a result of inversion of the foot. The location of the fracture should be carefully analyzed by a doctor, since the treatment of fractures of different location and nature varies quite a lot.

Types of fractures of the metatarsal bones of the foot

There are two main types of metatarsal fractures:

Traumatic fractures - due to acute (sudden) injury to the middle and forefoot.
Stress fractures are due to excessive long-term stress or repeated minor trauma against a background of completely normal metatarsals.

Fractures of the metatarsal bone of the foot are also classified according to location, nature of the fracture and the presence of displacement:

Fractures of the base, body or subcapitate fractures of the metatarsal bones;
Fractures of the metatarsal bone with or without displacement;
Fractures are oblique, transverse, helical, comminuted.

Prevalence

Metatarsal fractures account for 5% to 6% of all skeletal fractures. They are equally common among men and women of the planet.

To understand the mechanism of metatarsal fractures, it is probably best to start with a brief explanation of the anatomy of the foot.

The human foot consists of 26 bones:

5 metatarsal bones. These are tubular bones that are located between the tarsal bones and the phalanges of the fingers. Functionally, the metatarsal bones play an important role in movement, acting as a lever during foot movements (steps, running, jumping).
14 phalanges of fingers. The first finger consists of two phalanges, the remaining fingers - of three.
3 sphenoid bones. Located between the navicular bone and the first three metatarsal bones.
Cuboid
Scaphoid
Talus
Calcaneus

Together, the bones of the foot form a very complex mechanism that compensates for the enormous loads throughout the day and helps absorb the shock of every step.

Causes of metatarsal fractures

The main causes of fractures of the metatarsal bones of the foot are:

Intense and prolonged sports activities
Osteoporosis (weakening bones)
Heavy object falling on foot,
Road injury
Falling from a height (jump)

Symptoms of fractures

Pain that develops gradually and increases with exercise
Foot swelling
Subcutaneous hemorrhage (bruise)

Patients with these symptoms typically experience a sudden onset of sharp, intense pain following an injury. Sometimes the patient may hear a crunching or clicking sound at the time of injury. The pain causes the patient to limp. Patients with a metatarsal fracture are also accompanied by swelling, which increases during the day and decreases at night. In severe displaced metatarsal fractures, obvious deformity may not be noticeable.

Diagnosis of metatarsal fractures

For a more detailed understanding of the problem, the doctor finds out from the patient the mechanism of injury, including the force, location and direction of the blow.

Stress fractures are usually associated with increased intensity or duration of repetitive movements such as running, ballroom dancing, and others.

Inspection: Careful examination and examination of the entire foot and ankle is critical in identifying associated injuries. Deformity, swelling and hemorrhage are easily visualized.

Radiographs in 2 projections are usually sufficient to diagnose a fracture. But with stress fractures without displacement, sometimes it is impossible to determine them even for a very experienced doctor.

In such cases, control radiographs are prescribed after 10-14 days, when bone tissue resorption occurs at the fracture site. Stress fractures are also difficult to see on x-rays until they begin to heal and callus begins to form. This is exactly what is clearly visible on x-rays. A CT scan or MRI may be necessary to rule out stress fractures and other foot pathologies.

First aid for metatarsal fractures

Limiting loads and movements. It is important to limit movement and stress on the foot to prevent further damage.
Cold locally. Using ice will help slow or reduce swelling and provide a numbing sensation that will relieve pain. It makes sense to apply ice to the injury site for the first 48 hours after the injury. Never hold ice for more than 20 minutes at a time to prevent frostbite. A break of 1.5 hours before repeated exposure to ice, this allows the tissues to return to normal temperature and trophism, repeat as necessary. You can wrap any frozen product in a towel and apply it to the damaged area. Ice should be applied as soon as possible after the injury. (Do not place ice directly on your skin. Also, do not leave ice on while you sleep, or leave it on for more than 30 minutes. This may cause frostbite.)
Elastic bandaging. You need to bandage your leg with an elastic bandage. But bandage it correctly, not too tightly. If your fingers become cold or numb, it means the bandage is too tight. An elastic bandage will limit swelling and limit movement in the joint. You can sleep without a bandage. But be sure to move around with your leg wrapped in an elastic bandage.
Elevated position. Elevate the injured leg, such as resting your leg on a pillow while lying on a sofa or bed. If you are sitting, you can rest your leg on a chair to reduce swelling and pain.

Excluded: heating the damaged area during the first week, rubbing with alcohol and massage, which can aggravate the swelling. For example, exclude hot baths and saunas. Heat has the opposite effect compared to ice. That is, it stimulates blood flow.

It is important to limit the load when walking (do not rely entirely on the foot) until the injury has been diagnosed by a doctor.

Treatment of fractures of the metatarsal bones of the foot

Conservative treatment of moldy bone

Treatment tactics will depend on the location of the fracture and its severity.

The goal of any treatment for metatarsal fractures is- help the patient return to a full life. Following your doctor's recommendations will help you quickly restore foot function and prevent further problems in the future.

We are convinced that for non-displaced fractures, adult patients do not need to apply plaster, as this causes a lot of inconvenience, and they are able to understand that it is necessary to limit the load in order for the fracture to heal as quickly as possible. Displacement of bone fragments does not occur without load. But it is difficult to explain to our young patients that they should not step on their feet or walk only with support on their heels. That's why we cast children.

As a rule, in case of traumatic fractures, it is recommended to walk only with support on the heel or without any support at all, moving with crutches.

If the metatarsal fracture is slightly displaced, an attempt is made to reduce it and fix it with a plaster splint.

If the fracture is accompanied by a significant displacement of bone fragments (more than half the width of the metatarsal bone), the issue of surgery is decided.

Surgery for a metatarsal fracture

The indication for surgery for a fracture is displacement of metatarsal bone fragments by more than half the width of the bone.

Percutaneous pin fixation

It has been popular for many years and continues to be one of the most popular methods internationally.

First, the doctor closes the displacement of the fragments, then wires are drilled through the fragments in certain (taking into account the nature of the fracture) directions.

Pros: low trauma, speed, lightness, low cost, absence of an incision and, as a consequence, a postoperative scar.

Minuses: the ends of the pins remain above the skin so that the pin can be removed after the fracture has healed; the risk of wound infection and penetration of infection into the fracture area; long-term wearing of a plaster cast for 1 month; inconveniences in everyday life.

Open fracture reduction

Open reduction for a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot, external osteosynthesis with a plate and screws. The operation involves a surgical incision, access to the broken metatarsal bone by carefully retracting the tendons, vessels and nerves, mobilization of bone fragments, elimination of displacement and fixation in the correct position.

Plaster immobilization is not carried out, since the metal structure fixes the fragments.

Walking with support on the heel area is allowed for a month.

Rehabilitation after a metatarsal fracture

As soon as the fracture of the metatarsal bone heals and the pain decreases, the doctor will allow you to step on the foot in doses and gradually increase the load.

Don't self-medicate!

Only a doctor can determine the diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. If you have any questions, you can call orask a question about .

As you know, the metatarsal bones are located in the foot, and, therefore, are responsible for a person’s ability to walk and stand. When moving, they bear a large load, especially if a person suffers from obesity or diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It just so happens that fractures of the metatarsal bones are quite common, with a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone taking precedence among all foot injuries. Despite the small size of the bone, a fracture can occur in different places, the head or body can be injured, and the exact location of the injury can be determined after a prescribed X-ray examination.

The main symptom of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal is pain that intensifies during movements and pressure on the metatarsal area. How severe the symptoms of pain will be depends on the extent of the damage, the type of injury, and the person's pain threshold. It can be noted that foot damage occurs not only from an impact or fall, but also from excessive load, which applies to athletes. Recovery from injury depends on the quality of first aid provided, the age of the person and the presence of complications, which we will discuss below.

Classification

A metatarsal fracture can be localized in different parts of the metatarsus, so let's look at the structure of the bone. The bone itself consists of a base, body, neck and head. The head of the bone flows into the distal metaphysis and through the base of the bone forms the proximal diaphysis, tuberosity. The bone tendons and muscles (short and long, 3rd peroneal) are fixed.

There are several classifications of injuries to the metatarsal bones, depending on the location and type of fracture. There are two types of fractures: due to trauma and excessive stress. In addition, there is a classification based on the location of the fracture or crack.

A Jones fracture, or fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal bone, occurs at the base of the bone, where the blood supply is poorly developed. Due to insufficient blood supply, the Jones fracture takes a long time to heal, and the lack of complete healing is no exception; in such situations, a bone growth - a bone - can form.

A Jones fracture often occurs not only due to traumatic factors, but also due to excessive stress when the muscles cannot cope with their protective function. This applies to athletes and manual workers.

Fractures can occur in the middle of the bone, affecting the neck or head. A common type of injury is an avulsion fracture, in which a piece of bone is torn off. It happens during a twisted foot and is not always diagnosed in time. A person thinks that his leg hurts because of a dislocation; pain is also caused by ruptures and sprains of the ligaments.

If we look at the question of how long it takes for a fracture to heal, then we can conditionally divide the bone into 3 zones. With an avulsion fracture in the area where the bone tubercle is located, recovery proceeds quickly, and the bone tissue almost always grows together. This occurs due to the protection of the tubercle by muscles and ligaments. The tissue will take the longest to heal with a Jones fracture, since this area has a poor blood supply. Proximal fractures in zone 3 are dangerous; such injuries do not always heal. Complications often include pinched nerves (neuropathy) and subsequent tissue deformation.

There are open fractures, when the skin layer is damaged and a wound is formed, and closed ones. An open fracture of the metatarsal bone with displacement is dangerous, which often requires surgical treatment. A displaced foot injury is also dangerous due to the presence of bleeding, as well as an increased risk of a suppurative process in the tissues. The injury can also be single (a crack in one place) or multiple (several areas are affected).

Symptoms

When a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone occurs, symptoms of pain appear - this is the main sign. The pain is localized in the area of the outer edge of the foot, intensifies when touching, moving the foot or while stepping on the leg. An important sign of a fracture is swelling. It does not appear immediately, but increases after half an hour or more. Pain and swelling increase over time, the person cannot step on the sore leg.

There are situations when a crack or minor fracture occurs, but the ligaments are stretched or torn. Swelling is slight, pain is tolerable during rest. A person may not immediately seek help, which can subsequently cause bone displacement. Sometimes there is a healed fracture, the treatment of which was not carried out; the bones healed on their own. Such situations are accompanied by bone deformation and the formation of a growth - a bone.

In addition to pain and swelling, with fractures there is a change in skin color - redness or blueness, depending on the extent of soft tissue injury.

First aid and diagnostics

The sooner treatment begins, or rather, first aid, the greater the chance of avoiding further bone fracture, displacement or injury to nerves and blood vessels.

The doctor will be able to identify the exact location of the injury - the body or head of the 5th metatarsal bone - after examining the X-ray image. People nearby should provide first aid to the victim.

First aid begins with determining the type of injury. With an open fracture, there is an open wound and bleeding may begin. In such cases, you need to carefully cover the wound with an aseptic bandage. You cannot set bones yourself. This is fraught with consequences:

there is a threat of separation or further displacement;
the risk of injury to blood vessels and nerves increases;
inept manipulation will lead to increased pain.

The first aid algorithm includes applying cold (ice) to the site of the bruise and resting the leg. The victim should be taken to a medical facility. If the pain is severe, you can give an analgesic, this will alleviate the patient's condition.

Treatment of a fracture is prescribed after examining the site of injury and X-ray results. There are two types of treatment. A conservative technique involves applying a plaster cast. Without plaster, it is possible to treat a crack and a simple fracture, but if complications are present (an open wound, displacement, separation of fragments), then the bone must be immobilized to allow it to heal.

Treatment without a plaster cast is based on the application of a special splint. Among the disadvantages of the method is the need to immobilize the leg and maintain peace; the foot should not be subjected to stress and movement.

In case of complicated fractures, an operation may be required, during which the doctor compares the fragments and eliminates the displacement. To restore the integrity of the bone, special devices are implanted that fix the bone.

There are comminuted fractures that cannot be treated with a cast or simple surgery. In such cases, a procedure called “external osteosynthesis” is performed. A special material is implanted, fixed with a plate, which replaces bone tissue.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation after a fracture is needed to restore leg mobility, since muscle atrophy occurs during immobilization. When a cast is applied or surgery is performed, you cannot step on your leg during the treatment period, so the patient is recommended to wear crutches. Naturally, this affects the motor activity of the leg in the future.

For a speedy recovery, it is necessary to strengthen the bone structure. For this purpose, vitamins and calcium are prescribed. Among the folk methods, one can highlight a recipe for jellied meat or jelly. Eating these dishes saturates the body with collagen, which is responsible for joints and bones.

In addition to vitamins, chondroprotectors may be prescribed, especially if the patient is aged. Among the chondroprotectors we can highlight Glucosamine chondroitin, Teraflex, Artra and others. The use of homeopathy is effective; the drug Traumeel is prescribed to reduce swelling and relieve inflammation.

After the cast is removed or surgery is performed, an intensive rehabilitation period begins. Physiotherapy helps improve tissue nutrition and reduce inflammation. UHF, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis are prescribed. In addition to physical therapy, the patient needs to undergo a massage course and engage in physical therapy. This is the only way to not only cure the fracture, but also restore mobility to the foot.

Subsequently, after a fracture, you will need to take care of your leg. To prevent a fracture, you need to wear comfortable shoes and avoid making sudden movements with your feet. There is no need to rush in icy conditions.

The foot is the lowest part of a person's leg. Its main task is to hold our body above the ground and provide it with the ability to move comfortably in space. When implementing this task, bones and joints experience considerable stress. This is why every third case of foot injury is defined as a fracture. For many years, the palm among such injuries has been held by a fracture of the metatarsal bone of the foot.

Foot structure

The human foot is a rather complex multifunctional structure. It is based on 26 bones interconnected by movable joints and reinforced by multiple muscles, flexible ligaments, strong tendons and cartilage. Doctors conventionally divide the foot skeleton into three main sections:

tarsus;
metatarsus;
fingers.

The first part of the foot skeleton contains seven bones: the calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuboid and three sphenoid bones. The second part is the metatarsal bones. There are only five of them. They have a tubular structure and vary in length and thickness. The skeleton of the finger consists of the main, middle and nail phalanges.

Fractures of the tarsal bones most often occur from a sharp landing of a heavy or massive object on the inside of the foot, as well as from excessive flexion, rotation, or excessive axial load. Based on its anatomical structure, a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone is the leader among all possible injuries of the lower extremities. This bone is quite fragile, and is also located in the front, most injured part of the foot. Most often it is broken when the foot is twisted sharply. Fractures of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th bones occur less frequently.

Types of fifth metatarsal fractures

Of all the injuries to the foot, a fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal bone of the foot is the most common. It is also known as a Jones fracture. This is a pretty serious broken bone. It usually takes longer to grow together. This is because the blood supply to the base of the metatarsal bone is less active.

A tubercle fracture, or avulsion fracture, occurs when a small piece of bone is torn off when the tendons attached to it are put under excessive tension. This injury is often simply not noticed. It is hidden behind the more obvious signs of an ankle sprain.

Causes, symptoms and main types

A heavy object fell on your leg; while playing sports, dancing or jumping from a great height, you suddenly felt pain in your foot, immediately go to the hospital to exclude the possibility of a fracture. The above situations most often entail a fracture of the metatarsal bones. Anyone can suffer this injury, but there are people whose feet are especially susceptible to such injuries. Those at risk include football players, dancers, and older people whose bones are often weakened by osteoporosis.

Expressed by the following symptoms:

acute pain that intensifies when trying to stand on your leg;
swelling of soft tissues, often accompanied by bruising;
distortion of the shape of the foot.

Types of fracture of the metatarsal bones of the foot:

Stressful (fatigue). Signs that characterize this injury are swelling and constant, aching or dull pain in the foot. It occurs during any physical activity (walking, running, jumping) and subsides significantly after rest. But the pain does not completely go away. When a stress injury occurs, a microcrack appears on the bone, which is quite difficult to diagnose (see next image below).
Traumatic. With such damage, at the time of injury you can hear a crunching sound, which is the signal that the bone has broken. Almost immediately there is severe pain in the leg. A little later you will notice that the shape of the foot is distorted.

A fracture of the metatarsal bones, like all other injuries to the bones of the human skeleton, is also classified according to the following characteristics:

presence or absence of displacement;
by the type of fracture line (oblique, transverse, wedge-shaped, T-shaped) and the presence of fragments;
at the location of the fracture (fractures of the base, body or subcapitate fractures of the metatarsal bones);
open or closed.

First aid and treatment

If your foot is broken, you should not try to set the fracture yourself, as this can lead to irreparable consequences. In order to correctly help the victim, relieve pain and prevent subsequent deformation of the bones, it is important to promptly eliminate the slightest load on the foot. To do this, it must be immobilized and securely fixed in one position. If possible, give a painkiller and apply something cold to the injury site for a short time.

To prescribe the most effective treatment, it is imperative to correctly diagnose a foot injury. After all, there may not be a fracture, but the leg hurts because the head of the metatarsal bone has been displaced. To do this, the doctor asks the victim in detail about the circumstances of the injury. Carefully and thoroughly examines the sore spot and prescribes an x-ray.

If the damage is small, without displacement of the fragmented parts, the fracture heals well even without plaster. In such cases, only splinting is prescribed. In case of a slightly displaced fracture, to prevent improper fusion of the bones, the foot is rigidly fixed with a plaster or plastic splint. The indication for surgical intervention is a significant displacement of bone fragments, namely more than half the width of the bone. In medical practice, the most popular method of surgical treatment of a displaced metatarsal fracture is closed reduction, such as percutaneous fixation of broken bones with Kirschner wires. It is characterized by low trauma and ease of execution. There is minimal damage to the skin.

An operation in which the skin incision is large is used only when it is not possible to collect bone fragments using other methods.

Recovery

Having received a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone of the foot, how long to walk in a cast is one of the most common questions asked to traumatologists. Such fractures heal within a period of three weeks to one and a half months. How long a fracture takes to heal largely depends on the severity of the injury, the age of the patient and the nature of the medical intervention.

After the cast is removed, the speed of restoration of all physiological functions of the foot directly depends on proper recovery. High-quality rehabilitation after a fracture of the metatarsal bone after removal of the cast will require a lot of endurance and perseverance from you.

With the combination of timely assistance, high-quality diagnosis, effective treatment and thoughtful recovery, injuries to the metatarsal bone of the foot are not dangerous to the life and health of the victim. But, if you do not take them seriously, the consequences can lead to forced lameness, and sometimes disability.