Question
Hello, I am a 33 year old female.  I fractured my left 5th metatarsal on Oct 15, 2008.  I immediately went to the hospital for an x-ray.  The ER confirmed it was broke and the very next morning I saw an Ortho Specialist and he confirmed I had a "Jones Fracture".  He casted my foot non weight bearing for 7 weeks.  Today I had my 3rd x-ray and just like the other two there is no sign of ANY healing.  He took off my cast, put me in a removable boot and suggested I start with bone stimulation.  At the same time he wants me to start putting weight on it because he now says that could stimulate the bone to grow.  If that is the case why didn't he have me put any weight on it over the last seven weeks?  Also, what are the chances the external bone stimulation will even work and how long will it take?  I am so afraid that I am going to move forward with this, have it not work and still need surgery at the end of it all and have to be casted for another 6-8 weeks.  I am a mom of 3 young children and this has been so difficult.  Any help or advise you can offer to speed this up or have it be more successful would be greatly appreciated.  I look forward to your response.

Answer
Hi Tina,

It is common for there to be non-healing of a Jones fracture.  The area of this fracture has poor blood supply and even with casting there may be poor healing.

In many cases, the first treatment is using a screw to secure the fracture.  Bone stimulators are a good option but you still may not get the healing required.

I would seek the opinion of another dr.  Consider seeing a podiatrist.

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com

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