What are the Surgical Treatments for a Jones Fracture?

If you have a Jones fracture, you might need surgery.  There are several surgical treatments for Jones fractures.

What is a Jones fracture?

A Jones fracture is a fracture at the base of the 5th metatarsal.This type of fracture can be a ‘bad actor.’ Because the blood supply to this part of the bone is decreased, there is a higher risk of the fracture not healing. 

Who is a candidate for Jones fracture surgery?

Many Jones fractures can be treated without surgery.  In athletes or very active individuals with minimal medical comorbidities, surgery can be considered.

See our previous posts about 5th metatarsal fractures: General information on Jones fractures, and treatments for Jones fractures.

The orthopedic surgeons at Southwest Orthopedic Group and Dr. Stautberg can evaluate your radiograph and determine if you are a surgical candidate.  

What are the types of Jones fracture surgeries?

The surgeons of Southwest Orthopedic Group and Dr. Stautberg will evaluate each patient and review their nonoperative and surgical options for Jones fracture.

The primary type of surgery used to fix a Jones fracture is a screw that is placed inside the bone. Bones are hollow like PVC pipes. As a result, you can put a screw in the middle of the bone. These screws are generally made of titanium and come in various sizes (length and diameter), so that an appropriately sized screw can be used to stabilize the fracture.

Another type of surgery uses plates and screws. In some patients with multiple bony fragments or a higher risk of not healing, a plate and screw can be considered. Additionally, if a patient has not healed after being fixed with a screw, a plate can be used for revision surgery. 

Do I need a bone graft for my Jones fracture?

Sometimes a bone graft is needed for a Jones fracture. Acute Jones fractures in patients without comorbidities can often be treated without bone grafting. However, if you had a stress fracture, did not heal in the first attempt, or have higher risks of not healing, bone grafting may be considered. There are many options for bone graft, including from your own body, biologics (synthetic), or from a cadaver. 

What else can I do to help my Jones fracture heal?

Eating a balanced diet is always good. Also, Vitamin D can help fracture healing. Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to decrease fracture healing. Talk to your orthopedic surgeon about Vitamin D supplementation.

My Jones fracture isn’t healing after surgery! What do I do?

Don’t panic if your Jones fracture doesn’t heal right away. Unfortunately, even with surgery, approximately 10-15% of Jones fractures do not heal. Basic labs, including Vitamin D, can be obtained. Additionally, a bone stimulator can be used to encourage healing. Finally, if the fracture does not heal, a Jones fracture revision surgery can be considered. 

What are the risks of Jones fracture surgery?

All surgeries come with risks. Discuss your specific risks with your orthopedic surgeon. 

Do I have to remove the hardware after Jones fracture surgery?

No! Assuming the fracture heals uneventfully, it does not need to be removed. If the hardware causes symptoms, your orthopedic surgeon can discuss removal of hardware. 

The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) has more information about plantar fasciitis FootCareMD.

For more questions or to set up an evaluation, contact Dr. Stautberg’s office at 281-977-4870. 

Author

Eugene Stautberg, MD