Foot Fractures

Foot Fractures

Stress fractures often occur in the bones of the forefoot, extending from the toes to the midfoot. Tension fractures are tiny cracks in the bone surface. These fractures occur abruptly with the increase of training due to inappropriate techniques or changes in the training surfaces.

Several types of fractures occur from the forefoot bones on the side of the little toe (fifth metatarsal). Ballet dancers break these bones when the dancer misses a step or is in a pointed toe position. Traumas in the form of ankle twist can cause the tendon that attaches to this bone to rupture and a small piece of the bone to break off. In the same area, a more severe injury is a Jones fracture, which occurs near the base of the bone and cuts off the blood supplying the bone.