- Mt Elizabeth (Orchard) #06-05
- (65) 9088 4555
- Mt Elizabeth (Orchard) #06-05
- (65) 9088 4555
Did you know that one of the most common foot injuries is a broken foot bone? A 5th metatarsal fracture, often referred to as a fifth metatarsal fracture, is a type of foot fracture that occurs when the bone linking your ankle to your little toe— the 5th metatarsal—breaks. Sometimes, this is classified as a Jones fracture if it occurs in a specific area near the base of the bone, leading to significant foot pain, instability, and difficulty walking.
Highly active people, such as sports enthusiasts or those who regularly wear high heels, are at greater risk of developing a broken fifth metatarsal from a sudden fall or overuse. That said, a sudden impact may also cause this fracture to occur.
If you suspect a foot injury like this, consult an orthopaedic specialist in Singapore promptly for expert diagnosis and care. Early treatment can help you regain mobility and prevent complications.
The metatarsal bones are a group of five long foot bones located in the middle of each foot. They extend from below the toe bones to near the ankle, playing a crucial role in foot anatomy and overall foot structure. These bones are numbered from one to five, starting with the first metatarsal beneath the big toe and moving towards the fifth metatarsal beneath the little toe.
The metatarsals are vital in forming a foot arch and are essential for weight bearing, balance, and walking. The first metatarsal, a thicker weight-bearing bone, supports most of the load, while the 2nd-5th metatarsals assist with load distribution and structural stability. Together, these bones enable daily movements such as walking, running, and maintaining balance while standing.
Given the delicate yet complicated nature of foot fractures, a proper evaluation by an orthopaedic specialist is required for accurate treatment.
There are three common types of 5th metatarsal fractures categorised into three zones:
When you fracture your fifth metatarsal, you will face difficulty walking. Some common, hard-to-miss symptoms of foot fracture include foot pain, swelling after injury on the outside of the foot, bruising, or foot tenderness. These are all common bone injury signs.
As most symptoms are generally the same regardless of fracture type, you will need the expertise of a specialised orthopaedic specialist for an accurate diagnosis.
Multiple factors could trigger a foot fracture. Some common causes of foot fractures include:
Additionally, there are certain risk factors for bone injuries, such as:
To receive a proper diagnosis of foot fractures, schedule an orthopaedic consultation with a specialist at Alps Orthopaedic Centre in Singapore.
To assist with an accurate diagnosis, our specialist will perform imaging tests such as foot X-rays or MRI after a physical examination for a full fracture assessment. These procedures will help our specialist determine the location of your pain and capture more details of your injury.
Treatment options may vary depending on your condition. Typically, for less severe fractures, your specialist may recommend non-surgical treatment. These may include:
Suppose your fracture is severe (i.e., bones are displaced by more than 3 mm) or you are an athlete. In that case, your specialist may recommend foot fracture surgery to correct the injury and prevent prolonged complications properly.
Surgery is most often advised for Jones fractures or mid-shaft fractures when conventional treatments fail to show improvement. When possible, orthopaedic surgeons prioritise minimally invasive surgery to reduce pain, minimise risk, and shorten recovery.
In general, there are two surgical approaches to treating fifth metatarsal fractures:
After surgery, patients will be encouraged to attend follow-up consultations and participate in physical therapy to ensure optimal recovery and maximise the use of their treated foot.
Generally, patients will need 6-8 weeks for foot fracture recovery before putting weight on their foot, whether through immobilisation or surgery. Nevertheless, each individual’s injury might differ and require different bone healing times.
Surgery usually allows for faster recovery and earlier rehabilitation. If a patient has undergone surgical fixation of his / her fracture, they are encouraged to attend physical therapy as part of their post-surgery care. These sessions include rehabilitation and early mobility exercises to help patients regain foot strength.
Patients may be able to fully recover and return to normal activities in 3-4 months. However, it is still advisable to take things slow under the advice of medical experts, such as slowly returning to sports to prevent a repeat injury.
To prevent foot fractures, here are some bone health tips to consider:
If you suspect a foot fracture, schedule an appointment with Dr Jerry Chen, the Medical Director and Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Singapore’s Alps Orthopaedic Centre. Under the care of an orthopaedic specialist, you can promptly receive personalised treatment and accurate diagnosis of a potentially complex injury.
The healing process for a 5th metatarsal fracture can vary for each individual. However, it generally takes 6-8 weeks for initial recovery and 3-4 months for full recovery.
You will likely encounter difficulties; leaving it untreated could lead to unwanted long-term effects including non-union or malalignment of bone.
Surgery is typically performed on a case-by-case basis based on the specialist’s assessment and understanding of the patient’s concerns.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director
At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.
Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.
Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director
At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.
Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.
Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director
At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible.
Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.
Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.
