An Overview of Fractured Metatarsal and Available Treatment Options

The metatarsal bones are a group of 5 long bones in the foot that are located between the phalanges of the toes and the tarsal bones of the mid-foot and hind-foot. These bones do not have individual names and they are numbered from the side of the big toe as first metatarsal bone, second metatarsal bone, third metatarsal bone, fourth metatarsal bone, and fifth metatarsal bone. These bones are analogous to the hands' metacarpal bones.

Fractured metatarsal bones are very common traumatic foot injuries. These injuries are particularly prominent in the world of sports, especially in football/soccer. A fractured metatarsal is caused by overuse and direct trauma. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones are more likely to be injured. The different types of metatarsal bone fractures include; the Jones fracture (or tennis fracture), which is caused by foot inversion while falling or by direct blow to the foot, distal fractures (or dancer's fractures), which are caused by the body rotating while the foot remains undirected and which often results in ligament twisting, lisfranc dislocation, which is the dislocation of the lisfranc joints as a result of falling from a height, falling from the stairs, or stepping on a curb, stress fractures (also called the marcher’s foot), which are common on military trainees while they are doing leg exercise over a long period of and which are characterized by small cracks in the bones, and insufficiency fractures, which occur when the metatarsal bones cannot handle stress due to different bone conditions.

Diagnosis of fractured metatarsal is best done by a doctor. The doctor gets your medical history and does a physical exam. The fractured metatarsal injury is confirmed by an X-ray – rarely is a CT scan or an MRI necessary. While doing the diagnosis, the doctor looks for signs such as swelling, tenderness, inability of the foot to bear weight, limited movement, and internal hemorrhage. Other symptoms of a fractured metatarsal are pain when moving the toe and severe pain on the bone.

So, how is a fractured metatarsal treated? Treatment could be as simple as elevating the injured foot and putting an ice pack over it. This, however, only offers pain relief in the initial stages of the injury and you should always seek medical advice. When going to the hospital, do not walk unsupported since this will put pressure on the foot. Use crutches or have people carry you into the emergency room. One of the most effective treatments is the use of a stiff soled medical shoe. This fractured metatarsal treatment option is advantageous over the use of a cast in that you get the flexibility of removing the shoe whenever you are showering. Well-padded shoes should be worn as many hours as possible each day and should only be removed with the consent of a doctor. The doctor may prescribe non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers such as paracetamol as fractured metatarsal treatment. Occasionally, podiatry surgery may be necessary. Foot surgery should however be the last option since surgery is expensive and there is a risk of infections.




Sean Thompson is the author of this article on Cam Walker and Fracture Boot. Find more information on Walking Cast and Medical Boot here

Article Source: An Overview of Fractured Metatarsal and Available Treatment Options