| Metatarsal Fracture Explained | | | | fracture of the 2nd metatarsal heals well |
| | | | while the healing of the stress fracture of |
| One of the most common injuries in the | | | | the 5th metatarsal can be a lot of problem. |
| history of sports is the metatarsal fracture. | | | | |
| This kind of injury has been very prevalent | | | | How Do We Know Its Metatarsal Fracture? |
| in football in the past 5 years. Several | | | | |
| high- profiled footballers suffered from the | | | | A severe foot pain and difficulty to walk |
| same injury- David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, | | | | usually entails metatarsal fracture. Swelling |
| Ashley Cole, and Steve Gerrard. The anatomy | | | | may also be common and bruising will be |
| of the foot will however help us understand | | | | evident after1-2 days. |
| this injury better and deeper. | | | | |
| | | | How Do We Treat Metatarsal Fracture? |
| Metatarsal bones are long and slender bones | | | | |
| found in between the Tarsal bone and the | | | | The patient should be headed directly to the |
| Phalanges. There are 5 Metatarsal bones in | | | | emergency room for treatment if metatarsal |
| each foot. These bones act like a rigid lever | | | | fracture is suspected. The doctor will |
| in the propulsion of the ankle and the foot. | | | | confirm the diagnosis with an X-ray. Ice |
| It also acts like a flexible structure that | | | | therapy is a good help in dealing with pain |
| will help in balance and holding up the | | | | and pain medications are necessary. The |
| entire body. | | | | Aircast Ankle and Foot Cryo/ Cuff is the best |
| | | | way to give ice packs effectively by |
| Metatarsal fractures are caused by direct | | | | providing continuous compression for 6 hours. |
| trauma, overuse and excessive rotation. Bone | | | | |
| injuries like this are very common since | | | | The terminal treatment for this injury varies |
| there is a very little soft tissue that | | | | on the type and condition of the fracture. |
| protects the top of the foot. | | | | Alignment and treatment with an |
| | | | immobilization cast is greatly appreciated in |
| Four anatomic segments divide the fifth | | | | fractures caused by direct trauma. |
| metatarsal. These are the base, the junction, | | | | |
| the shaft, and the neck. Several fractures | | | | A removable plastic cast is used for stress |
| can be made out of these segments. | | | | fractures of the 2nd metatarsal and |
| | | | rotational fracture of the 5th metatarsal. |
| Fracture of the fifth metatarsal is the most | | | | However, many orthopedist advocates surgical |
| common metatarsal injuries. This results from | | | | repair of the fracture. This method will |
| the twisting of the ankle. This kind of | | | | allow the patient to resume sports activities |
| fracture doesn’t need to be surgically | | | | possibly after 6 weeks. |
| repaired. Walking immediately in a removable | | | | |
| plastic cast is usually advised. | | | | How Do We Prevent Metatarsal Fracture? |
| | | | |
| Metatarsal fractures can be caused by | | | | Very little thing can be done to this kind of |
| overuse. It is common in new army recruits | | | | injury especially when force is applied to |
| and athletes. A stress fracture will | | | | the foot during a traumatic injury. Yet, it |
| eventually turn into full fracture when the | | | | is very necessary to wear suitable footwear |
| pain in the groin region worsens. The stress | | | | to provide protection to the foot. |