Diseases

Metatarsal Fracture

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A metatarsal bone fracture is a complete or incomplete break in one of the five metatarsal bones in each foot. These long thin bones are located between the toes and the ankle (between the tarsal bones in the hindfoot and the phalanges in the forefoot)

SYMPTOMS

Pain with or after normal activity.
Pain that goes away when resting and then returns when standing or during activity.
Pinpoint pain (pain at the site of the fracture) when touched.
Swelling but no bruising.

CAUSES

Acute metatarsal fractures. These can be caused by direct injury to the foot. This may happen, for example, through someone stepping on or kicking the foot, by dropping something on to the foot or by falling on to the foot. Twisting of the foot or the ankle can also cause fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal.