You will also be given a physical exam to check for obvious signs of injury. Your doctor may also want to know about the activities you are involved with, which may offer a possible explanation for the injury. If your doctor is unavailable, go to the emergency room, where a doctor can confirm a diagnosis by using imaging tests such as x-rays or bone scans. If you feel you have fractured a metatarsal bone, you should seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis. If no one is present at the time of the injury and you must get to a doctor, call 911 for an ambulance or call someone for a ride. You should never try to drive with a fractured metatarsal. If your doctor is unable to see you that day, he or she may recommend that you go to the emergency room. He or she will ask you about your symptoms and assess whether medical treatment is needed immediately. If you are unsure about the severity of the injury and still have function in your foot, call your doctor or a doctor at the emergency room for advice. If you are experiencing intense pain, swelling, discoloration, or an inability to walk, stand or move, you should contact your doctor immediately. When Should I See a Doctor about my Metatarsal Fracture? Here is a look at some of the causes of an acute fracture to these bones: Repetitive activities such as walking, running, jumping, etc.Here is a brief look at some of the causes of stress fractures to these bones: Something to keep in mind is that most stress fractures do not show up on x-rays until two or three weeks after the healing process has begun. Painful when touched, which may indicate a broken bone.You may not notice right away if you have injured one of your metatarsal bones, but there are symptoms to watch for. What Are the Symptoms of Metatarsal Fracture? Jones fractures are less common than avulsion fractures and they are more difficult to treat due to their location in the small area of the fifth metatarsal base, which receives less blood supply. This fracture occurs when a small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a tendon or ligament. Unfortunately, this type of fracture is often overlooked because of the ankle injury. The two other common types of fractures are avulsion fractures and Jones fractures, which are associated with the fifth metatarsal.Īvulsion fractures are commonly seen coupled with ankle injuries. Stress fractures can happen to the first and fifth metatarsals, but it is not as common. In fact, they are second only to the tibia, which is the most common place for a stress fracture. The second, third, and fourth metatarsals are most prone to stress fractures. They worsen over time and are sometimes not evident on x-rays until the bone has started to heal. Stress fractures are caused by repetitive actions or impacts to the bones. Acute fractures, also called traumatic fractures, happen instantaneously and are caused by an impact, such as when a heavy object falls on the bones. There are two types of metatarsal fractures: acute and stress fractures. Injuries to the metatarsal bones are very common and can happen in a number of ways, but most commonly occur when a heavy object falls on them or when they are twisted during a fall. Treatment of a metatarsal fracture depends heavily on which bone is fractured. Metatarsal fractures do not discriminate based on age, race, or gender-they can happen to anyone at any time.Įach metatarsal is broken down into segments: the head, neck, shaft, and base. Our metatarsal bones bear much of our weight when we are standing, walking, or running. Instead they are numbered, starting with the big toe, which is known as the first, then continuing with the second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals (the fifth is the pinky toe). Our metatarsal bones are the long bones located in our feet between the tarsal (ankle) bones and the phalanges of the toes.Įach foot has five metatarsal bones, which are collectively referred to as the metatarsus, and none of them have individual names.
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