injuries and poisoning
Metatarsal Fractures
Fractures of the 5th Metatarsal Bone
Fractures of the 5th metatarsal bone occur in the bone that connects the little toe to the bones at the back of foot. The 5th metatarsal bone can be fractured at its base (near the ankle) or in the middle (shaft). These fractures can result from inward turning of the foot or a crush injury (for the base) or from repeated stress or a single injury (for the shaft). If the base of this bone is fractured, the outside edge of the foot is painful, swollen, and tender. Fractures of the base usually heal relatively quickly. If the shaft is fractured, the blood supply to the bone may be disrupted, sometimes slowing healing or preventing the broken bones from growing back together. To diagnose 5th metatarsal fractures, doctors take x-rays from several angles. Treatment of fractures of the base usually consists of crutches and a protective hard-soled walking shoe or boot. Treatment of fractures of the shaft may involve a short leg cast and crutches with no weight put on the injured foot or sometimes surgery. The 5th metatarsal bone is the most commonly fractured bone in the foot. These fractures usually occur At the base of the metatarsal (near the ankle) In its shaft (the long middle part) of the metatarsal 