Jones fracture

A Jones fracture is a break or a thin (hairline) crack in the fifth metatarsal, the long bone on the outside of the foot. A Jones fracture occurs near the end of this bone that's closest to the ankle.

If you have a Jones fracture, the outer side of your foot may be painful, swollen, and tender. Your foot may look bruised, and you may have trouble walking.

The doctor will examine your foot and ask about your symptoms and past health. The doctor will probably do an X-ray to confirm the fracture.

Treatment depends on how bad the fracture is. Small fractures are usually treated with home care, such as rest, ice, and pain medicine. Your doctor may have you wear a cast on your foot to help keep it stable. A splint may be used in some cases if there is a lot of swelling. You may use crutches to help keep weight off your foot. Your doctor may recommend that you keep weight off the foot for several weeks.

The fracture may take 6 weeks to several months to heal. It is important to give your foot time to heal completely, so that you don't hurt it again. Do not return to your usual activities until your doctor says you can.

For some fractures, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Your doctor may suggest that you get physical therapy to help restore strength and range of motion in your foot.

• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
  • If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about how much weight your child can put on the foot and when your child can go back to their usual activities. If your child was given crutches, be sure they are used as directed.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your child's foot for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when your child is awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your child's skin.
• Prop up your child's foot on a pillow when you ice it or anytime your child sits or lies down for the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your child's heart. This will help reduce swelling.
• Take care of the cast or splint.
  • If your child's foot is in a cast or splint, follow the cast or splint care instructions your doctor gives you. If your child has a removable fiberglass walking cast or a splint, do not take it off unless your doctor tells you to.
  • Keep the cast or splint dry. If your child has a removable fiberglass walking cast or a splint, ask your doctor if it is okay to remove it when your child bathes. Your doctor may want your child to keep it on as much as possible.
  • If you are told to keep your child's cast or splint on, tape a sheet of plastic to cover it during a bath. Water under the cast or splint can cause the skin to itch and hurt.
  • Never cut the cast or let your child stick anything down inside it to scratch an itch on the leg.