Fracture of the metatarsal is common in sports, usually caused by direct trauma or excessive rotational forces and overuse, the most common of these being the fifth metatarsal fracture.
Signs & symptoms:
- Severe foot pain
- Swollen or bruised foot
- Inability to walk on the foot
Treatment depends on the severity and location of the injury; if alignment is satisfactory immobilisation may be sufficient for 6-8weeks. Due to the poor healing capacity of the fifth metatarsal many consultants will decide to perform surgery.