What is a Jones fracture?

A Jones fracture is a fracture of the bone on the pinky toe side of your foot, the fifth metatarsal bone. This fracture can happen when you increase your training, increase pressure on your feet from gaining weight, or run on uneven surfaces. You can also fracture this bone during lateral (side-to-side) movements or while dancing en pointe, as in ballet.

A Jones fracture often happens near the end of the bone and usually disrupts blood flow. Because the bone gets less blood, your healing time goes up.

Symptoms

A Jones fracture has many of the same symptoms as other types of fractures. A person with a Jones fracture may know they have injured their foot right away if the injury is sudden and causes immediate symptoms.

These symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling on the outside of the foot at the base of the little toe
• Problems walking
• Bruises

How it’s diagnosed

Your doctor will examine you and ask you how the injury happened. Then, they’ll take an X-ray of your foot. Many types of fractures can affect the fifth metatarsal bone. They’re difficult to differentiate, even on X-rays.

The Jones fracture is the most serious fifth metatarsal fracture. Depending on the severity of the fracture, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon.

Treatment

Your doctor can treat a Jones fracture with surgery or by immobilizing your foot. Your treatment plan will depend on:

• The severity of your break
• Your age
• Your overall health
• Your level of activity