UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Jones Fracture Malunion

Category: Orthopedics

Keywords: jones fracture,foot fracture,malunion (PubMed Search)

Posted: 6/21/2009 by Dan Lemkin, MS, MD (Updated: 7/18/2009)
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Jones fracture

Fracture of proximal metaphyseal 5th metatarsal
- located w/in 1.5 cm distal to tuberosity of 5th metatarsal
Prone to malunion
- Watershed area (poor blood supply)
- Under tension from multiple tendons
Treatment
- Immobilize with posterior-mold splint
- Non-weight bearing - crutches
- Prompt orthopedic evaluation
  - Some cases are managed with non-weight bearing casts
  - Others are repaired operatively.
  - Delayed jones fractures with malunion will require operative repair.
Distinguish from pseudo-jones fracture (dancers fracture)
- metatarsal styloid avulsion fracture, generally does not require operative repair
- much more common than true Jones fracture.

Presented with persistant foot pain from
Jones fracture malunion.