Metatarsal Bone injury
🦶 Metatarsal Injuries: Types & Key Insights
1. Stress Fractures
Definition: Incomplete breaks caused by repetitive stress or overuse, commonly affecting the second and third metatarsals.
Symptoms: Gradual onset of pain, swelling, and tenderness, especially during weight-bearing activities.
Treatment: Rest, activity modification, and possibly immobilization; surgical intervention is rarely needed.
2. Jones Fracture (5th Metatarsal only)
Location: Transverse fracture at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the fifth metatarsal.
Cause: Often due to inversion injuries or sudden stress.
Treatment: Typically requires surgical intervention due to poor blood supply and high risk of nonunion.
3. Avulsion Fracture (Pseudo-Jones Fracture - 5th Metatarsal only)
Location: Small fragment at the base of the fifth metatarsal, often from tendon pull.
Cause: Common in sports involving sudden direction changes.
Treatment: Usually managed with immobilization; surgery is rare unless displacement is significant.
4. Comminuted Fracture
Definition: Bone shatters into multiple pieces.
Cause: High-impact trauma or crush injuries.
Treatment: Often requires surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the bone.
5. Lisfranc Fracture-Dislocation
Location: Involves the tarsometatarsal joints, particularly affecting the second metatarsal.
Cause: High-energy trauma or axial loading injuries.
Treatment: Requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent long-term disability.
6. Fractures of the First Metatarsal
Types: Can include shaft fractures, avulsion fractures, and fractures involving the sesamoid bones.
Cause: Direct trauma or overuse.
Treatment: Varies from conservative management to surgical intervention, depending on fracture type and displacement.
7. Fractures of the Second to Fourth Metatarsals
Types: Include shaft fractures and stress fractures.
Cause: Direct trauma or repetitive stress.
Treatment: Often managed conservatively with rest and immobilization; surgical intervention is rare.