What is a metatarsal fracture?
A metatarsal fracture is a break or a thin, hairline crack to one of the metatarsal bones of the foot. This type of fracture usually happens from repeated stress on the bones of the foot.
What is a metatarsal?
Introduction. The metatarsal bones are the bones of the forefoot that connect the distal aspects of the cuneiform (medial, intermediate and lateral) bones and cuboid bone to the base of the five phalanges of the foot. There are five metatarsal bones, numbered one to five from the hallux (great toe) to the small toe.
Where is a metatarsal?
foot
The metatarsal bones are the long bones in your foot that connect your ankle to your toes. They also help you balance when you stand and walk. A sudden blow or severe twist of your foot, or overuse, can cause a break, or acute (sudden) fracture, in one of the bones.
Do metatarsal fractures require surgery?
Most metatarsal fractures can be treated without surgery. A stiff soled shoe, walking boot, or even a cast may be used. The amount of pressure you are able to put on your foot will depend on which bones are broken.
What type of bone is metatarsals?
The five metatarsals are dorsally convex long bones consisting of a shaft or body, a base (proximally), and a head (distally). The body is prismoid in form, tapers gradually from the tarsal to the phalangeal extremity, and is curved longitudinally, so as to be concave below, slightly convex above.
Is a metatarsal a toe?
The structure of the foot is complex, consisting of bones, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Of the 26 bones in the foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot).
What is the treatment for metatarsal fracture?
Most metatarsal fractures can be treated without surgery. A stiff soled shoe, walking boot, or even a cast may be used. The amount of pressure you are able to put on your foot will depend on which bones are broken. Your treating physician will decide this.
Is a metatarsal fracture painful?
Broken toes and broken metatarsal bones can be painful, significant injuries. The structure of the foot is complex, consisting of bones, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. Of the 28 bones in the foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot).
What is metatarsals and its function?
The metatarsals refer to the five long bones found in each foot. They are numbered I to V, from medial to lateral. Together, the metatarsal and tarsal bones help to form the main arches of the foot, which are essential for weight-bearing and walking.
Our metatarsal bones bear much of our weight when we are standing, walking, or running. Metatarsal fractures do not discriminate based on age, race, or gender—they can happen to anyone at any time. Each metatarsal is broken down into segments: the head, neck, shaft, and base.
When to refer a patient with a displaced metatarsal fracture?
A prompt referral with a displaced fracture of a single metatarsal when it is a shaft fracture near the metatarsal head, a displaced styloid fracture of metatarsal 5, an unacceptable position of shaft fracture.
Which metatarsal fractures should be examined for Lisfranc injuries?
In particular, fractures of the 2nd, 3rd or 4th metatarsal should raise suspicion of a ligament (Lisfranc) injury. A 5th metatarsal fracture must be scrutinized to make sure a zone 2 (Jones) fracture (which needs more protection) is identified. A 1st metatarsal fracture must be examined closely to ensure there is no displacement.