Fractures of Other Metatarsals

Fractures of a single MT, 2nd, 3rd or 4th, (Fig 1) are usually well splinted by the other, intact, MTs and require symptomatic treatment only.

However, fractures of the 1st MT (Fig 2) may displace and therefore sometimes require internal fixation. The presence of multiple MT fractures (Fig 3) allows each fracture to displace. These patients normally require orthopaedic admission for elevation, treatment of soft tissue swelling and to consider internal fixation.

Fractures at the bases of the MTs (except for 5th) may be associated with injuries of the tarso-MT joint.