Jones (Avulsion) Fracture Symptoms and Treatment | UPMC (2024)

FAQs

What are signs of a Jones fracture? ›

The first step of Jones fracture treatment is rest and to prevent movement in the foot. Apply ice to the break as well. Jones fracture surgery may be needed to align the bone and help with healing. These fractures will sometimes heal on their own, but may take months to heal without surgery.

You may walk on the foot as comfort allows but you may find it easier to walk on your heel in the early stages. The boot you have been given should be worn when walking to help to settle your symptoms. Follow up: You will see a Foot and Ankle Specialist about 6 weeks after your injury.

A Jones fracture will usually take about 6 weeks to heal. However, a person may still experience pain and swelling for 3–6 months. Often, a person will wear a boot or cast and initially attempt to keep their weight off the foot. They may also take pain killers to help with any pain.

In avulsion fracture, a piece of the bone is pulled off the main portion of the fifth metatarsal by the tendon that attaches to this region. Jones fracture involves fracture in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives limited blood supply.

You might also feel like you can still move your toe or foot, but there is no movement because the ligaments are too tight to allow for any range of motion.

For most people, these fractures don't need surgery. If this type of fracture is treated without surgery, the patient has to wear a special boot and walk with crutches to take stress off of the fracture and protect it while it heals, which may take at least six to eight weeks.

A Jones fracture is more complicated to treat because the blood supply to that portion of the bone is referred to as a “watershed” area. This zone of the metatarsal has reduced blood supply than the remainder of the bone. This fact is significant because reduced blood flow can increase healing time from injury.

The typical symptoms of a Jones fracture include pain on the outside of the foot, bruising, tenderness when pressure is placed on the foot, a persistent ache on the outside of the foot, and difficulty walking or putting weight on the foot.

Risks and Complications

Rarely, the fracture may not heal and the screw can break. If this happens, a second surgery may be performed. Jones fractures also have a high rate of refracture, which occurs more frequently with non-surgical treatment.

Do you need physical therapy after Jones fracture? ›

After a Jones fracture, you need to regain, strength, mobility and range of motion. Physical therapy is usually the best way to achieve this and be able to return to activities of daily living.

Conservative treatment for Jones fractures has a 15 to 20 percent failure rate. If the bone fails to heal during conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary. Reported complications include delays in bone healing, muscle atrophy, and continuing pain.

You may have mild symptoms for 3-6 months. You can begin to resume normal, day-to-day activities but be guided by any pain you experience. X Heavy tasks or long walks may still cause some discomfort and swelling. If you are still experiencing pain and swelling then please contact the Fracture Care Team for advice.

Because a Jones fracture frequently occurs in conjunction with another injury, it may go undetected. Because it may have difficulty healing, it is important that a correct diagnosis be made promptly.

A defining symptom of a 5th metatarsal fracture is pain on the outside of the foot. Discomfort and difficulty walking accompany the injury.

Diagnosis. A Jones fracture typically is visible on X-rays of the injured foot. An MRI may be helpful if the fracture is not seen on X-ray. A CT scan can be useful to gauge fracture healing.

Diagnosis of a Fifth Metatarsal Fracture

The foot will be examined, with the doctor gently pressing on different areas of the foot to determine where there is pain. The surgeon will also order x-rays. Because a Jones fracture sometimes does not show up on initial x-rays, additional imaging studies may be needed.