Avulsion fracture of the 5th metatarsal styloid
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Avulsion fracture of the 5th metatarsal styloid, also known as a pseudo-Jones fracture or a dancer fracture, is one of the more common foot avulsion injuries and accounts for over 90% of fractures of the base of the 5th metatarsal.
Despite what should be a simple entity, controversy exists, as well as confusion in the literature, with the term Jones fracture sometimes liberally (and incorrectly) applied to this fracture.
Pathology
Traditionally this avulsion fracture has been ascribed to the insertion of peroneus brevis and is caused by forcible inversion of the foot in plantar flexion, as may occur while stepping on a curb or climbing steps. It is for this reason that the 5th metatarsal base must be included in the lateral ankle projection of an ankle series, especially when performed for an inversion injury.
It is also relatively common among tennis players, accounting for it sometimes being referred to as a "tennis fracture".
Some authors believe that it is due to the lateral cord of the plantar aponeurosis which also inserts at the base, rather than the peroneus brevis tendon 2.
Radiographic features
Small fracture usually of the tip of the proximal 5th metatarsal, oriented mostly transversely (cf. apophysisapophysis which parallels the shaft). It usually does not reach the articular surface (metatarsocuboid), but occasionally does.
In some instances, the fracture may be occult.
Treatment and prognosis
In general, these fractures can be treated conservatively, and heal well 2. For large or very displaced fragments with intra-articular extension then operative fixation may be indicated.
Differential diagnosis
A number of fractures occur at the base of the 5th metatarsal (see fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal) as well as entities that mimic fractures:
-<p><strong>Avulsion fracture of the 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal styloid,</strong> also known as a <strong>pseudo-Jones fracture </strong>or a<strong> dancer fracture,</strong> is one of the more common foot <a href="/articles/avulsion-injuries">avulsion injuries</a> and accounts for over 90% of <a href="/articles/fractures-of-the-proximal-fifth-metatarsal">fractures of the base of the 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal</a>.</p><p>Despite what should be a simple entity, controversy exists, as well as confusion in the literature, with the term <a href="/articles/jones-fracture-1">Jones fracture</a> sometimes liberally (and incorrectly) applied to this fracture.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Traditionally this avulsion fracture has been ascribed to the insertion of <a href="/articles/peroneus-brevis-muscle">peroneus brevis</a> and is caused by forcible inversion of the foot in plantar flexion, as may occur while stepping on a curb or climbing steps. It is for this reason that the 5<sup>th </sup>metatarsal base must be included in the <a href="/articles/ankle-lateral-view-2">lateral ankle projection</a> of an <a href="/articles/ankle-series">ankle series</a>, especially when performed for an inversion injury.</p><p>It is also relatively common among tennis players, accounting for it sometimes being referred to as a "tennis fracture".</p><p>Some authors believe that it is due to the lateral cord of the plantar aponeurosis which also inserts at the base, rather than the peroneus brevis tendon <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Small fracture usually of the tip of the proximal 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal, oriented mostly transversely (cf. apophysis which parallels the shaft). It usually does not reach the articular surface (metatarsocuboid), but occasionally does.</p><p>In some instances, the fracture may be occult.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>In general, these fractures can be treated conservatively, and heal well <sup>2</sup>. For large or very displaced fragments with intra-articular extension then operative fixation may be indicated.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>A number of fractures occur at the base of the 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal (see <a href="/articles/fractures-of-the-proximal-fifth-metatarsal">fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal</a>) as well as entities that mimic fractures:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Avulsion fracture of the 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal styloid,</strong> also known as a <strong><a title="Pseudo-Jones fracture" href="/articles/avulsion-fracture-of-the-5th-metatarsal-styloid">pseudo-Jones fracture</a> </strong>or a<strong> <a title="Dancer fracture" href="/articles/avulsion-fracture-of-the-5th-metatarsal-styloid">dancer fracture</a>,</strong> is one of the more common foot <a href="/articles/avulsion-injuries">avulsion injuries</a> and accounts for over 90% of <a href="/articles/fractures-of-the-proximal-fifth-metatarsal">fractures of the base of the 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal</a>.</p><p>Despite what should be a simple entity, controversy exists, as well as confusion in the literature, with the term <a href="/articles/jones-fracture-1">Jones fracture</a> sometimes liberally (and incorrectly) applied to this fracture.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Traditionally this avulsion fracture has been ascribed to the insertion of <a href="/articles/peroneus-brevis-muscle">peroneus brevis</a> and is caused by forcible inversion of the foot in plantar flexion, as may occur while stepping on a curb or climbing steps. It is for this reason that the 5<sup>th </sup>metatarsal base must be included in the <a href="/articles/ankle-lateral-view-2">lateral ankle projection</a> of an <a href="/articles/ankle-series">ankle series</a>, especially when performed for an inversion injury.</p><p>It is also relatively common among tennis players, accounting for it sometimes being referred to as a "tennis fracture".</p><p>Some authors believe that it is due to the lateral cord of the plantar aponeurosis which also inserts at the base, rather than the peroneus brevis tendon <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Small fracture usually of the tip of the proximal 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal, oriented mostly transversely (cf. <a href="/articles/apophysis">apophysis</a> which parallels the shaft). It usually does not reach the articular surface (metatarsocuboid), but occasionally does.</p><p>In some instances, the fracture may be occult.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>In general, these fractures can be treated conservatively, and heal well <sup>2</sup>. For large or very displaced fragments with intra-articular extension then operative fixation may be indicated.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>A number of fractures occur at the base of the 5<sup>th</sup> metatarsal (see <a href="/articles/fractures-of-the-proximal-fifth-metatarsal">fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal</a>) as well as entities that mimic fractures:</p><ul>
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