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Metatarsal Fracture (Forefoot)

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Your forefoot acts as a springboard with each step you take and a cushion when your foot touches the ground.  The metatarsal bones located in the forefoot bear and shift your body weight to help maintain balance.  Jumping, twisting, dancing, and running add even more force to the forefoot, making the bones vulnerable to fracture from trauma and overuse.  The majority of metatarsal fractures heal with non-surgical treatments.  Fractures that require surgery usually heal uneventfully.

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Introduction

Your forefoot acts as a springboard with each step you take and a cushion when your foot touches the ground.  The metatarsal bones located in the forefoot bear and shift your body weight to help maintain balance.  Jumping, twisting, dancing, and running add even more force to the forefoot, making the bones vulnerable to fracture from trauma and overuse.  The majority of metatarsal fractures heal with non-surgical treatments.  Fractures that require surgery usually heal uneventfully.
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Anatomy

Your forefoot (metatarus) contains five long metatarsal bones.  As a group, the metatarsal bones help raise and lower or twist your foot.  They play a role in distributing your body weight and attaining balance when you walk or stand. 
 
Certain parts of the metatarsals have a better blood supply than others.  Fractures in areas of poor blood supply have more difficulty healing.  For example, a Jones Fracture is such a fracture near the base of the fifth metatarsal that commonly needs surgery.
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Causes

Metatarsal fractures are caused by stress from overuse, improper training, ankle twisting, or trauma, and even dropping an object on the foot.  Stress fractures are common in soccer players, ballet dancers,  and runners.
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Symptoms

A metatarsal fracture can cause pain, swelling, discoloration, and difficulty walking.  When the metatarsal bones break, they may remain in place or move out of position.
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Diagnosis

Your podiatrist can diagnose a metatarsal fracture by reviewing your medical history, considering your injury circumstances, and examining your foot.  X-rays are taken to help identify the fracture.
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Treatment

The majority of metatarsal fractures are treated without surgery.  You may need to wear a walking cast or rigid shoe.  Some people may need to wear a cast and not put weight on their foot for several weeks while  the fracture heals. 
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Surgery

Significant metatarsal fractures with a poor blood supply or bones that have moved out of place can require surgery.  Surgical hardware, such as a plate and screws are used to secure the bones in place.  You may wear a short leg cast, brace, or rigid shoe for 6 to 8 weeks while the bones heal.  Your doctor will check the healing process with X-rays and allow you to put more weight on your foot over time. 
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Recovery

 
Recovery is individualized and depends on the location and extent of your injury, as well as the treatment that you received.  Your podiatrist will let you know what to expect.  Overall, metatarsal surgery has a high degree of success.
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Am I at Risk

People that participate in certain sports, ballet, gymnastics, or military marching have an increased risk for a metatarsal fracture.

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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

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