STRESS FRACTURE-FIFTH METATARSAL

SUMMARY

1. Stress fractures of the fifth metatarsal are prone to non-union and re-fracture.

2. Early stress fractures (bony edema only) are typically treated with non–weight bearing immobilization for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks of protected weight-bearing.

3. If healing has not occurred, surgical fixation is appropriate.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].