A Jones fracture is a break in the bone on the outside of your foot, specifically at the base of the fifth metatarsal (the long bone on the pinky toe side). This type of fracture is often caused by an injury or repetitive stress.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Location: It's a fracture that occurs near the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, which is on the outer side of your foot, leading to your little toe.
- Causes:
- Sudden injury, such as twisting your ankle.
- Repetitive stress, especially in athletes or individuals who put a lot of pressure on their feet.
- Increased training intensity.
- Weight gain, increasing pressure on the feet.
- Running on uneven surfaces.
- Symptoms: Symptoms may include:
- Pain on the outside of the foot, near the base of the little toe.
- Difficulty walking.
- Swelling and bruising.
- Tenderness to the touch.
- Why it's important: A Jones fracture is different from a typical metatarsal fracture because it has a higher risk of nonunion (failure to heal) due to poor blood supply in that area of the bone.
Therefore, a Jones fracture is a specific fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal, posing unique healing challenges due to blood supply limitations.
