Jones Fracture

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Jones Fractures

I’m Ed Smith, an Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. The foot has many different small bones inside of it that are required for proper mobility and support of the body. Any of these bones has the potential to be fractured. One type of fracture is called a Jones fracture.

What is a Jones Fracture?

The foot has multiple sets of bones called the metatarsals. There is one metatarsal for every toe, meaning that there are five on each foot. Each of these bones is prone to being exposed to a traumatic injury. If a person develops a bone fracture in the fifth metatarsal, this is termed a Jones fracture.

Mechanism of Injury

There are many different ways that a person can suffer a Jones fracture. Some people enjoy playing sports such as basketball and soccer. In these sports, a participant may fall and impact the outside edge of their foot, leading to a fracture. These fractures could occur as someone is walking down the street as well. As someone crosses the street, they could suffer a pedestrian injury when they collide with a motor vehicle.

Treatment of a Jones Fracture

Any treatment of this type of injury is going to start with imaging. While an x-ray is always the first choice, these bones are small and can be difficult to see. In this situation, the injured person could get an MRI to better visualize these small structures. After images have been taken, the bones can be placed in their proper locations and begin the healing process.

Possible Complications

The comorbidities from this injury typically have to do with improper union. How the healing process unfolds is heavily dependent on the location of the fracture in the fifth metatarsal. If the bone fracture is in an area that is hard to treat, the bones may heal improperly. This will make it hard to walk and run on the foot in the future.

Structures at Risk

A patient who has broken one of the metatarsal bones is at risk for breaking others. The tarsal bones are also at risk. The bones in the toes themselves could also be broken with a similar mechanism.

Differential Diagnosis

Other potential diagnoses that should be considered when a person suffers a Jones fracture include:

Injury Prognosis

The prognosis of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal is going to depend on the fracture location and whether or not the patient needs surgery. This assessment is handled individually.

Surgery is Common

Surgery for this injury is fairly common to set the bones back in their proper location. Many fractures are displaced and will require surgery.

Related Articles by Sacramento Injury Lawyer, Ed Smith:

Sacramento Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, an Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, call me for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I can also be reached via my website, AutoAccident.com.

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Image Attribution: Permission granted under the Creative Commons 1.0, Universal Public Dedication Domain License. Via Wikimedia Commons.
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