Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooFifth Metatarsal Fracture

The pain from a stress fracture usually develops gradually and gets worse with weight-bearing activity. With the fifth metatarsal, it is felt along the outside part of your foot (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.b).

How much weight you can put through the foot depends on where the break is, so follow the advice of the doctor treating you. For the common avulsion fracture at the base of the bone, UK hospital advice is that you may walk on the foot as much as the pain allows. The pain, tenderness and swelling usually settle over 3 to 5 weeks, although it can take up to 12 weeks for symptoms to settle completely (Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, 2025). A Jones fracture usually needs a period with no weight on the foot (see below).

A Jones fracture is a break across the base of the fifth metatarsal, in a particular area where the wider end of the bone meets its shaft (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.a; Caruso and Chin, 2025). The name is sometimes wrongly used for all fractures near the base of the bone (Caruso and Chin, 2025). This area has a poor blood supply, so Jones fractures may take longer to heal, sometimes do not heal at all (called nonunion), and are more likely to need surgery (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.a).

1. Rest

If you are overtraining, give yourself more time to rest. It typically takes 6 to 8 weeks for a stress fracture to heal (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.b), and a Jones fracture can take longer. During that time, switch to activities that place less stress on the foot; swimming and cycling are good alternatives (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.b). The main thing to remember is that you don't want to do any physical activities involving the ankle or foot until you have been able to speak with your health care provider.

2. Ice and Elevation

For the first 24 to 48 hours, apply ice or something cool (such as a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a cloth or towel for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Never put ice directly on the skin, as it could cause a burn. Raise your foot above the level of your hip when resting, for as long as the swelling lasts (Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).

3. Protective Footwear

To reduce the stress on the foot, you might be given protective footwear, such as a stiff-soled shoe, a wooden-soled sandal or a removable short-leg fracture shoe (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.b), or a removable walking boot (Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, 2025). Use it as the clinic instructs you.

Once your fracture clinic is happy, I can help with the stiffness, swelling and weakness that often follow a boot or cast. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Options outside my scope

• Cast or walking boot: most fifth metatarsal fractures are treated with a cast or walking boot, sometimes with crutches to take weight off the foot (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.a).
• No weight-bearing for a Jones fracture: a Jones fracture is often treated with a cast or boot and no weight on the foot for a number of weeks (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.b; Caruso and Chin, 2025).
• Surgery (internal fixation): some fractures, such as a large displaced avulsion fracture or a Jones fracture in a very active person or one that has not healed, are fixed with screws, pins or plates (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.a).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

• Hands-on care for the calf, foot and areas working overtime, within your team's plan
• Help with swelling and stiffness after the boot or cast
• Strength, balance and a graded return to activity

No heat goes over metal implants. If pain or swelling returns as you build up, we ease off and you check back with your fracture clinic.