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)
受过研究员培训的骨科顾问外科医生兼医务主任
阿尔卑斯矫形外科中心(Alps Orthopaedic Centre)擅长 "术后强化恢复"(ERAS)。作为一种日间手术,ERAS 直接前路全髋关节置换术(THR)和ERAS 全膝关节置换术(TKR)减少了平均住院时间,采用的技术使病人痛苦更少,恢复更快。我们是新加坡一家专门从事 ERAS 的骨科诊所,竭尽全力让患者尽早恢复日常活动。
我们的骨科诊所提供肌肉骨骼问题的专业诊断和有效治疗,尤其是髋关节和膝关节手术、运动损伤和外伤骨折的日间手术/术后加强康复(ERAS)。如果您正在考虑进行髋关节或膝关节手术或微创治疗,请与我们经验丰富的骨科顾问外科医生 Jerry Chen 预约,我们将为您提供全面的评估和治疗方案。
我们的目标是 提高患者的幸福感,优化手术过程的方方面面。通过缩短恢复期 患者能够重新开始他们喜爱的活动。 阿尔卑斯团队提供全面的财务咨询,确保患者了解自己的选择,并就治疗计划做出明智的决定。
MBBS (S'pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
受过研究员培训的骨科顾问外科医生兼医务主任
阿尔卑斯矫形外科中心(Alps Orthopaedic Centre)擅长 "术后强化恢复"(ERAS)。作为一种日间手术,ERAS 直接前路全髋关节置换术(THR)和ERAS 全膝关节置换术(TKR)减少了平均住院时间,采用的技术使病人痛苦更少,恢复更快。我们是新加坡一家专门从事 ERAS 的骨科诊所,竭尽全力让患者尽早恢复日常活动。
我们的骨科诊所提供肌肉骨骼问题的专业诊断和有效治疗,尤其是髋关节和膝关节手术、运动损伤和外伤骨折的日间手术/术后加强康复(ERAS)。如果您正在考虑进行髋关节或膝关节手术或微创治疗,请与我们经验丰富的骨科顾问外科医生 Jerry Chen 预约,我们将为您提供全面的评估和治疗方案。
我们的目标是 提高患者的幸福感,优化手术过程的方方面面。通过缩短恢复期 患者能够重新开始他们喜爱的活动。 阿尔卑斯团队提供全面的财务咨询,确保患者了解自己的选择,并就治疗计划做出明智的决定。
MBBS (S'pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)
Fellowship-trained Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director
阿尔卑斯矫形外科中心(Alps Orthopaedic Centre)擅长 "术后强化恢复"(ERAS)。作为一种日间手术,ERAS 直接前路全髋关节置换术(THR)和ERAS 全膝关节置换术(TKR)减少了平均住院时间,采用的技术使病人痛苦更少,恢复更快。我们是新加坡一家专门从事 ERAS 的骨科诊所,竭尽全力让患者尽早恢复日常活动。
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 Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan.
我们的目标是 提高患者的幸福感,优化手术过程的方方面面。通过缩短恢复期 患者能够重新开始他们喜爱的活动。 阿尔卑斯团队提供全面的财务咨询,确保患者了解自己的选择,并就治疗计划做出明智的决定。