The Foot “Jones Crack”

ORTHOPEDICS/LEG, FOOT & ANKLE

A Jones crack is an explicit foot crack kind relating with the fifth metatarsal foot bone.

A Jones crack is located within a critical zone of the fifth metatarsal bone difficult to heal.

A Jones crack is differentiated from other foot cracks kinds.

This Jones crack is normally a sloping crack (meaning directed perpendicularly to the bone long axis) and happens at a conversion area within the bone, where it swings from dense to spongy known as the 5th metatarsal diaphyseal-metaphyseal junction.

Foot Jones cracks/ causes

Jones cracks commonly results of a definite shocking incident or a chronic overuse state.

When a Jones crack happen following a shocking incident, it is frequently the result of an inversion-type twist, which is manifested by the foot turning inward towards the other foot. (Similar to an ankle crack).

When a Jones crack happen due to a chronic state, it tend to be the consequence of a recurrent overuse damages that may progressively crack or weaken the bone

Jones Cracks Candidates

Jones cracks occurs most frequently in professional athletes.

Persons with high arched feet seem to be more susceptible to Jones cracks because more pressure is forcing on the outside of the foot on that precise zone.

Jones Cracks/Therapy

Usually Jones cracks are problematic because the crack happens in the zone within the bone of a reduced vascularity (blood supply), medically labelled a “watershed zone”.

Jones cracks therapy may start with casting to end with surgery.

The therapy plan always depends on: the patient’s age, the activity level, the overall medical health and Jones crack itself.

Jones cracks need 6-8 weeks for healing.

Jones Crack/Non-Operative Therapy: 

A non-surgical Jones crack therapy commonly refer to placing the foot into a solid cast starting below the knee and extending to the toes for a period of 6-8 weeks.

With a non-surgical therapy, patient is not allowed walking on the leg for the entire above period (6-8 weeks).

 Supports are recommended until bone healing is tested via X-ray.

Jones Crack/Surgery

Jones crack surgery is usually recommended in athletes.

Younger patients are better candidates for surgery than older patients.

The most frequent technique performed involved installing a bone screw to maintain the bone fragments all together. This screw is installed from the bone tip into the metatarsal bone inner canal.

Jones Crack/Recovery

Jones cracks, like all the broken bones, may take about 6 to 8 weeks for healing (with or without surgery).