
AP, lateral, and oblique radiographs of the foot are routinely obtained, ideally with the patient bearing weight, however due to initial pain and swelling, weight bearing views may not be possible. Type III: non-unions with obliteration of the intramedullary canal.Type II: delayed fracture healing with a widened fracture line and intramedullary sclerosis.Type I: acute fractures without intramedullary sclerosis.Torg and colleagues defined three categories of fifth metatarsal base fractures based on healing potential and radiographic appearance: Type IIIB: intra-articular tuberosity avulsions.Type IIIA: extra-articular tuberosity avulsions.Type II: chronic metadiaphyseal fractures with either a clinical symptoms or radiologic evidence of stress reaction.Type IB: acute, comminuted metadiaphyseal fractures.Type IA: acute, undisplaced, metadiaphyseal fractures.


Direct injuries include falls, motor vehicle accidents, crush injuries or a fall of heavy objects. The mechanism of injury may be direct, indirect or repetitive trauma. The fifth metatarsal is reported to be the most commonly injured. They are ten times more common than Lisfranc injuries. Metatarsal fractures are common, and occur in isolation or in conjunction with concomitant other injuries to the foot and other metatarsals.
