National Football League Foot Injuries

Arizona Cardinals
Kerry Rhodes, FS
Rhodes collected his first sack of the season in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. His foot injury appears to have cleared and he has participated in full practice.
Arizona Cardinals
John Skelton, QB
Skelton told the team's website that he's doing much better, but he isn't ready to come back yet. He has been a limited participant in practices over the week for Week 4 against Miami.
Arizona Cardinals
Adrian Wilson, SS
Besides the ankle injury Wilson has, he now also has a groin injury. It is unlikely he will play in Week 4 against Miami.
Buffalo Bills
Ruvell Martin, WR
Martin is suffering from an ankle injury and has not been in practice. It is unlikely he will play in Week 4 against New England.
Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart, RB
Stewart returned to practice on Wednesday as the team prepares for Week 4 against Atlanta. He says the injury is with the same toe he had problems with before, but it's a different issue.
Chicago Bears
Matt Forte, RB
Forte returned to practice on Wednesday and believes he can play in Week 4 against Dallas. "I went through all the routes and everything. I can sprint. So I'll be good to go," said Forte. Coach Lovie Smith isn't quite as optimistic though: "We have said he's making progress every days, which he is, and it's no more than that. But I would hold off on... he's got a long ways to go still, but he is making progress and hopefully we will get him out there."
Cincinnati Bengals
Bernard Scott, RB
Scott has an unknown ankle injury and has not been in practice. It is unlikely he will participate in Week 4 against Jacksonville.
Cleveland Browns
Jason Pinkston, G
There is no information available on Pinkston's condition. He is listed as probable.
Dallas Cowboys
Barry Church, SS
Church is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, an injury he sustained in Week 3 against Tampa Bay. Church left the game after making three tackles and was unable to finish the previous two games for Dallas. He will have surgery on Monday to repair the tendon.
Dallas Cowboys
Jay Ratliff, DE
Ratliff missed Week 3 against Tampa Bay and there is no timetable for his return.
Denver Broncos
Chris Harris, SS
Harris's ankle injury is improving, and has participated in full practice. He is likely for Week 4 against Oakland.
Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson, WR
Johnson caught 10 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown in the Lions' 44-41 overtime loss to Tennessee on Sunday. His ankle injury is acting up, and he has been in limited practice. He is probable for Week 4 against Minnesota.
Green Bay Packers
Jamari Lattimore, LB
Lattimore has participated in limited practice and is questionable for Week 4 against New Orleans.
Green Bay Packers
James Starks, RB
Wednesday was the first time Starks was a full participant in practice, as the team prepares for Week 4 against the Saints. Starks has been out with a toe injury.
Houston Texans
Mister Alexander, LB
Alexander has an ankle injury and has participated in full practice and is probable for Week 4 against Tennessee.
Houston Texans
Antonio Smith, DE
Smith is still out with an ankle injury and now has an illness that is keeping him in limited practice. He is questionable for Week 4 against Tennessee.
Indianapolis Colts
Pat Angerer, LB
Angerer's fractured foot is still resting and it will probably be another three weeks before he's able to return to the game. He is unlikely to be in Week 4.
Indianapolis Colts
Dwight Freeney, DE
Freeney continues to deal with an ankle injury. He did not play in Week 3 and will most likely miss Week 4.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Austen Lane, DE
Lane has participated in full practice and is probable for Week 4 against Cincinnati.
Kansas City Chiefs
Peyton Hillis, RB
Hillis hurt his ankle in Week 3 and was unable to practice on Wednesday. The Chiefs host rival San Diego on Week 4, and if Hillis is not able to play, Shaun Draughn will do backup duty for starter Jamaal Charles.
Kansas City Chiefs
Anthony Toribio, DT
Toribio is still recovering from an ankle injury and has been in limited practice. He is questionable for Week 4 against San Diego.
Miami Dolphins
Nolan Carroll, CB
Carroll has an Achilles tendon injury and has been in limited practice. He is questionable for Week 4 against Arizona.
Minnesota Vikings
Marvin Mitchell, LB
Looks like Mitchell has recovered and has finally participated in full practice. He is probable for Week 4 against Detroit.
Minnesota Vikings
Mistral Raymond, SS
Raymond was carted off the field on Sunday in Week 3 against San Francisco with a right ankle injury and did not return. He came up from his safety position to support on a running play to Frank Gore and his ankle appeared to get caught in the turf. He immediately grabbed his ankle as he fell to the ground and appeared to be in considerable pain. He has not been in practice and is likely not to play for Week 4 against Detroit.
Minnesota Vikings
Andrew Sendejo, DB
No new update for Sendejo, who is still in limited practice. He is likely to be out of the line up in Week 4 against Detroit.
New England Patriots
Brandon Deaderick, DE
Deaderick has an ankle injury and has not been in practice. He will not play in Week 4 against Buffalo.
New England Patriots
Justin Francis, DE
There is no new update on Francis, who has not been in practice and is questionable for Week 4 against Buffalo.
New England Patriots
Aaron Hernandez, TE
Hernandez did not play in Week 3 and is not likely to play in Week 4 either, as he recovers from what is feared to be a high ankle sprain.
New England Patriots
Shane Vereen, RB
Vereen had hoped to make his season debut in Week 3 against the Ravens, but that did not happen as he continues to deal with his foot injury. He has been in limited practice and is questionable for Week 4 against Buffalo.
New Orleans Saints
Turk McBride, DE
McBride still has an ankle injury and has not been in practice. It is unlikely he will be at Week 4 against Green Bay.
New York Giants
Hakeem Nicks, WR
Nicks was expected to practice on Thursday, and it is expected he will practice once a week for a while. He sat out Week 3 because of the lingering foot injury. Nicks told the New York Daily News, "The time off definitely helped. There was just too quick a turn around (on Thursday night) to go out and compete on it at the high level I expect. And I thought it was possible that I would be that much more ready for the Philadelphia game."
New York Jets
LaRon Landry, FS
Landry's heel is still bothering him, but he did play in Week 3 in the Jet's 23-20 victory over Miami. He had two tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown. He is probable for Week 4 against San Francisco.
New York Jets
Calvin Pace, OLB
Pace's Achilles tendon injury is clearing up, and he has been in full practice. He is likely for Week 4 against San Francisco.
New York Jets
Bart Scott, ILB
Scott has a toe injury and has not been in practice. It is unlikely he will play in Week 4 against San Francisco.
New York Jets
Isaiah Trufant, DB
Trufant is getting better from his ankle injury and has been in full practice. He is probable for Week 4 against San Francisco.
Oakland Raiders
Shawntae Spencer, CB
Spencer still has a foot injury and has not been in practice. He will not play in Week 4 against Denver.
Philadelphia Eagles
Brandon Graham, DE
Graham has an unidentified foot injury and has not been in practice. He will not play in Week 4 against the Giants.
San Diego Chargers
Shareece Wright, DB
No new update on Wright's foot injury. He has not been in practice and will not play in Week 4 against Kansas City.
San Francisco 49ers
Ted Ginn, WR
Ginn continues to miss time with the foot injury he sustained during the 49ers third preseason game. He has been in limited practice, but is unlikely to play in Week 4 against the Jets.
San Francisco 49ers
Isaac Sopoaga, NT
Sopoaga hurt his lower left leg in Sunday's game against the Vikings in Week 3. He will be X-rayed and re-evaluated.
San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Willis, ILB
49ers coach Jim Harbough said X-rays for Willis turned out well,  but he did not elaborate. He has been in full practice and is expected to play in Week 4 against the Jets.
St. Louis Rams
Michael Brockers, DT
Brockers is still recovering from a high ankle sprain, an injury he sustained in the preseason. He has been in limited practice, however, but it is unlikely he will play in Week 4 against Seattle.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
E. J. Biggers, CB
No new information on Bigger's foot injury, besides that he has been in full practice and is likely to play in Week 4 against Washington.
Tennessee Titans
Kenny Britt, WR
Britt's ankle injury has kept him to practicing on the side this week. Coach Mike Munchak said, "He's progressing along pretty well. Because of the running and playing receiver, we'll have to see how he does the next couple of days."
Tennesse Titans
Mike Martin, DT
Martin is questionable for Week 4 against Houston as he has been in limited practice with an unknown foot injury.
Tennessee Titans
Colin McCarthy, LB
McCarthy was inactive again for Week 3 against the Lions, and it looks like it will be the same situation in Week 4 against Houston.
Washington Redskins
Pierre Garcon, WR
CSN Washington reports Garcon was been able to run routes in practice on Wednesday and said his injured foot is feeling a lot better, but he isn't sure if he'll be ready to play for Week 4 against Tampa Bay. "There's a lot of progress going along with the injury, and it's coming along very well. It's frustrating, but it's part of football. You have to deal with problems as they come. I'm trying to heal up as fast as I can to get back out there and help the team. It's just a lot of pain. It's got to take some time off to heal up properly and to get back out there to full strength."
If you are a football player suffering from a foot injury, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington, Kensington, and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.

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National Football League Foot Injury Update

Long list this week!
Carolina Panthers
Steve Smith, WR
Smith returned to practice on Sunday, after recovering from a foot infection that kept him out for two weeks. "He went back to his normal practice mode- 100 percent, all the time," said coach Ron Rivera. "So it was a lot of fun watching Steve back on the football field." Rivera expects Smith to be back for Week 1 against Tampa Bay.
Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart, RB
Stewart did not participate in the team's official practice Wednesday, but coach Rivera is optimistic he'll be able to play Week 1. Stewart hasn't practiced since spraining his ankle in a preseason game on August 26 against the Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB
Green-Ellis is ready for Week 1's game against the Raven, expected to carry most of the carries. Whatever the coaches have in mind for him though, Green-Ellis is ready. "That might not be the gameplan. Whatever it is, that's what I'm going to do. If they want me to run, I'm going to run. If they want to pass, I'm going to block."
Cincinnati Bengals
Leon Hall, CB
No further update on Hall.
Cleveland Browns
Chris Ogbonnaya, RB
Ogbonnaya has an ankle injury and has had limited practice. He is questionable for Week 1 against Philadelphia.
Dallas Cowboys
Jay Ratliff, DE
Ratliff can't seem to catch a break. The high ankle sprain he suffered and was recovering from is still lingering, and most likely will throughout the season.
Detroit Lions
Chris Houston, CB
Houston left a preseason game against Oakland with an ankle injury and has not been practicing. It is questionable whether he will be ready for Week 1 against St. Louis.
Green Bay Packers
Jamari Lattimore, LB
Lattimore has an ankle injury, but there is no further information.
Green Bay Packers
B. J. Raji, NT
Raji has an ankle injury, but there is no further information. He sustained the injury in the last preseason game against Kansas City. Raji hasn't missed a game since 2009.
Green Bay Packers
James Starks, RB
Starks was ruled out for Week 1 against San Francisco.
Indianapolis Colts
Pat Angerer, LB
Angerer has still not practiced and is questionable for Week 1 against Chicago.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Justin Blackmon, WR
Blackmon was back to full practice on Thursday after being limited in practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. He is expected to make the start against the Vikings in Week 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Austen Lane, DE
Lane is questionable for Week 1 because of a foot injury. No further information is available.
Kansas City Chiefs
Allen Bailey,  DE
Bailey is questionable in Week 1 with an ankle injury. No further information is available.
Kansas City Chiefs
Anthony Toribio, DT
Toribio injured his ankle in the Chief's third preseason game against Seattle and hasn't practiced since. Questionable Week 1.
Miami Dolphins
Jason Trusnik, LB
Trusnik has an ankle injury and has been limited in practice. Questionable Week 1 against Houston.
Minnesota Vikings
Marvin Mitchell, LB
Mitchell has been held up with an ankle injury and has engaged in limited practice. Questionable for Week 1 against Jacksonville.
Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson, RB
His status is still up in the air, but Peterson hopes to play against the Jaguars. Peterson is working his way back from a torn ACL last season and says "I feel good. I've been working hard since the injury to get back to this moment. So me and the coaching staff, we're on the same page. So when I come out Sunday, hopefully I get the nod to go."
Minnesota Vikings
Andrew Sendejo, DB
Sendejo has a sprained ankle, has not practiced, and is questionable for Week 1 against the Jaguars.
Minnesota Vikings
Marcus Sherels, CB
Sherels has an ankle injury and has been limited in practice. Questionable for Week 1.
Minnesota Vikings
Jarius Wright, WR
Rookie wide receiver Wright had a big preseason game against the Texans, but ended up with an ankle sprain. He has not been practicing.
New England Patriots
Shane Vereen, RB
Vereen did not participate in practice on Wednesday and has been out of practice since suffering a foot injury in a preseason game against Tampa Bay. He will likely be a game-time decision against the Titans.
New Orleans Saints
Marques Colson, WR
Colson hit the practice field Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday. Practice was limited as the team prepares for Week 1 against the Redskins.
New Orleans Saints
Curtis Lofton, LB
Lofton is dealing with a high ankle sprain, and is still limited in practice. He may miss the season opener against the Redskins.
New York Giants
Prince Amukamara, CB
Amukamara did not play against Dallas. He suffered a minor ankle sprain during a preseason game and was carted off the field.
New York Giants
Jayron Hosley, CB
Hosley played against Dallas in the season opener, but had been suffering with a toe issue.
New York Giants
Hakeem Nicks, WR
Nicks appeared less than 100 percent healthy in the season opener against Dallas and had an underwhelming first game back.
New York Jets
David Harris, LB
Harris has just a slight sprain, not a high ankle sprain, and is probable for Week 1 against the Bills.
New York Jets
LaRon Landry, DB
Landry has been suffering with an unspecified heel injury, but has been through full practice and is probable against the Bills.
New York Jets
Chaz Schilens, WR
Schilens has been suffering with an ankle injury, but is probable for Week 1.
New York Jets
Brian Thomas, LB
Thomas had torn his Achilles tendon last October and has been recuperating since. He has been doing limited practice and is questionable for the game against the Bills.
Oakland Raiders
Jacoby Ford, WR
Ford still has a sprained left foot and sat out the preseason finale against the Seahawks. According to head coach Dennis Allen, Ford has not been able to run on his injured foot, but has been able to catch some balls from the machine.
Philadelphia Eagles
Casey Matthews, LB
Matthews missed the last two preseason games with a high ankle sprain. "I'm almost there, there's just a little stiffness in it, they're just trying to get it out. I should be ready by Week 1," said Matthews. He has been doing full practice and should be ready for game 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Larry Foote, LB
Foote's ankle was just tweaked, and practiced on Thursday. He should be fine for Sunday's game against Denver.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Brett Keisel, DE
Keisel did not play in the final preseason game against the Panthers, but has been at practice and should be ready for Week 1.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Isaac Redman, RB
His ankle may be a concern the entire season, but has done full practice and should be ready for Week 1.
San Francisco 49ers
Ted Ginn, WR
Ginn has not practiced all week, so it is doubtful he will play in Week 1.
St. Louis Rams
Michael Brockers, DT
It is likely Brockers will play in the first game since he was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and should miss the entire first month of the season. Brockers was carted off the field in the Ram's final preseason game last Thursday. An MRI on Friday revealed the injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
E. J. Biggers, CB
Biggers has a foot injury and is questionable against Carolina in Week 1.
Washington Redskins
Chris Baker, DE
Baker has an ankle injury and has been participating in limited practice. Questionable for Week 1 at New Orleans.

If you participate in football and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 


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National Football League Foot Injury Update

Arizona Cardinals
Paris Lenon, LB
Lenon suffered an ankle injury in Arizona's first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. He has been practicing since the injury, but there is no rush to get him back before the regular season starts.
Atlanta Falcons
Corey Peters, DT
Peters has an "undisclosed" foot injury and no timetable has been set for his return to the Falcons. Peters will at best be out only a couple of regular season games.
Baltimore Ravens
Vonta Leach, RB
Sprained ankle, questionable against Jacksonville.
Baltimore Ravens
Laquan Williams, WR
Sprained ankle, questionable against Jacksonville.
Baltimore Ravens
Torrey Smith, WR
Smith suffered a sprained ankle during the Raven's preseason opener, but is likely to return for the regular season. He appeared much better on Monday, not favoring his ankle the way he did on Sunday. Quarterback Joe Flacco said "Torrey brings something to the game that we might not have when he's not in there, but we've got a bunch of good receivers on this team."
Baltimore Ravens
Terrell Suggs, LB
Suggs suffered an Achilles injury while playing basketball during conditioning drills. The linebacker has told ESPN that he plans on coming back this season. Rehab has been going great and he wants to have an impact on the Raven's season. "I like the progress that I'm making. I came out of the boot last week. So I'm just walking right now, doing muscle strengthening, trying to get the muscle back strong. And I like where I'm at right now, loving the process... Y'all will see me play this year," said Suggs.
Carolina Panthers
Steve Smith, WR
Smith missed practice on Wednesday and after a doctor's visit was diagnosed with a foot infection. Following the exam Smith was seen on crutches but will be ready for the Panther's first regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The infection will be treated with antibiotics.
Cincinnati Bengals
Benjarvus Green-Ellis, RB
Green-Ellis sustained the injury in the Bengal's first preseason game against the Falcons. Probable for regular season.
Cincinnati Bengals
Leon Hall, DB
Hall injured his Achilles tendon last November against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been recovering since. Hall was cleared for practice at the end of July, which is a shining light to the injury-laden Steelers. "I have been pretty much cleared to do everything. We are going to monitor how many reps I get in a row, basically, but it is a little easier now because we only have one practice a day. It just makes it easier as far as me practicing as much as I can. I'm pretty much full-go. I set the goal that I wanted and we were able to reach it," said Hall.
Cleveland Browns
Chris Cogong, LB
Cogong went down in practice at the beginning of August, injuring his Achilles tendon. He is likely out for the entire season. Cogong was in obvious pain after crumbling to the ground during morning practice. Covered in sweat, he grimaced as trainers removed his right shoe and gingerly examined his foot. "They're evaluating his ankle and we'll see," said coach Pat Shurmur. "Injuries are an unintended consequence of this game. As safe as you try to be, it sometimes happens and it drives the coach nuts. But for guys who don't play a lot, you learn you are one play from being in there full-time."
Dallas Cowboys
Caleb McSurdy, LB
Rookie McSurdy went down in mid-August during individual drills with an Achilles tendon tear. After he went down, he took off his helmet and slammed it to the ground. He is the sixth Cowboys draft pick to be injured this year.
Denver Broncos
Mario Fannin, RB
Fannin suffered a season ending tear to his Achilles tendon as well. Earlier in the month Fannin went down during practice, the second year in a row that he has had a season ending injury. Last year it was a knee injury.
Detroit Lions
Stefan Logan, WR
Logan was injured in the preseason game against the Ravens and needed crutches to get out of the locker room. X-rays came back negative, but according to coach Jim Schwartz "It didn't look great on film according to our doctors, but Logan's a pretty tough guy. We'll just see how that comes out."
Green Bay Packers
James Starks
Starks has a turf toe so serious the team signed Cedric Benson earlier in the month. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel predicts that Starks will be cut from the final roster. Starks may be ready for the Sept. 9th regular season game against the 49ers.
Green Bay Packers
John Kuhn, RB
Kuhn is still plagued with a troublesome ankle injury that he sustained mid-August during practice and has not returned since. There is no timetable for his return.
Indianapolis Colts
Pat Angerer, LB
Last year's leading tackler Angeler will probably miss six weeks because of a broken foot. He is doubtful for the beginning of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs
Brandon Flowers, DB
Flower's heel injury is the mystery of the Chief's season. Flowers was injured July 31 in a night practice and was carted off the field. It was originally thought that Flowers would return quickly after the injury, but Flowers' status is still unsure. Coach Romeo Crennel said in a report to the media the following on Tuesday: "He's not well enough to be out there. We need him out there. He's trying to get out there, we're doing everything we can, and the doctors have been looking at him to try and figure out how we can get him out there. We'll keep working, he'll keep working, and hopefully it will get done before too long.
New Orleans Saints
Curtis Lofton, LB
Lofton is suffering from a high ankle sprain. Assistant head coach Joe Vitt said "We certainly think Curtis is going to be ready for the first game."
New Orleans Saints
Nick Toon, WR
Rookie Toon has been injured the entire preseason battling a foot injury from practice on August 2nd. It was originally reported that Toon "tweaked" his foot, but he has not been playing since, with some speculating that he may not even make the 53 man roster.
New York Giants
Hakeem Nicks, WR
Nicks is questionable in the August 24th game against the Bears, but has increased his practice load significantly. Nick's fractured right foot has been problematic, but it was the second day in a row he practiced with the team. "I feel good. No setbacks. I'm getting my feet back under me, working on my releases a little bit, trying to get the timing back down and the routes and the plays," Nicks said.
New York Giants
Justin Trattou, DE
Trattou, who only played 6 regular season games last year, suffered ankle and heel injuries early in training camp and was waived from the team.
Oakland Raiders
Jacoby Ford, WR
Ford sprained his left foot last week and underwent an MRI, a day after leaving the team's loss to Arizona. Ford missed six games last season with a sprained left foot, although coach Dennis Allen said "Obviously, it looks like Jacoby is going to miss a little bit of time, don't know exactly to what extent yet. We're still seeing where he's at."
Philadelphia Eagles
Ronald Johnson, WR
Johnson suffered a fractured right ankle at the end of July when he fell awkwardly and his cleat got stuck in the turf. His availability to start the season is questionable, but coach Andy Reid said, "He really had a good chance to do something with our football team. It's tough. This is going to be a setback for him, but he's a battler and he'll battle through it."
Pittsburgh Steelers
Heath Miller, TE
Miller left practice early at the end of July with what was called a minor foot injury. He's probable for the start of the regular season, and coach Mike Tomlin says "We'll see where he is but we don't expect it to be significant."
Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger, QB
Roethlisberger was in good form in Sunday's game against the Colts after suffering a mild ankle injury earlier in the month when someone stepped on his foot. He will fine for the start of the regular season.

If you are a barefoot runner and have been experiencing pain, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

Giant's Hakeem Nicks Fractures Foot

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks fractured his right foot during team training last month. Nicks fractured his foot during individual runs. Surgery was done on his fifth metatarsal, which consists of placing a screw in the broken bone and allowing the fracture time to heal. It is expected he will be out another two months.
Fractures are common in the fifth metatarsal- the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe. Two types of fractures that often occur in the fifth metatarsal are:

• Avulsion fracture. In an avulsion fracture, a small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a tendon or ligament. This type of fracture is the result of an injury in which the ankle rolls. Avulsion fractures are often overlooked when they occur with an ankle sprain.
• Jones fracture. Jones fractures occur in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives less blood and is therefore more prone to difficulties in healing. A Jones fracture can be either a stress fracture (a tiny hairline break that occurs over time) or an acute (sudden) break. Jones fractures are caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or trauma. They are less common and more difficult to treat than avulsion fractures. 

Other types of fractures can occur in the fifth metatarsal. Examples include mid-shaft fractures, which usually result from trauma or twisting, and fractures of the metatarsal head and neck.
Avulsion and Jones fractures have the same symptoms. These include:

• Pain, swelling, and tenderness on the outside of the foot.
• Difficulty walking.
• Bruising may occur.

Anyone who has symptoms of a fifth metatarsal fracture should see a podiatrist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. To arrive at a diagnosis, the podiatrist will ask how the injury occurred or when the pain started. The foot will be examined, with the doctor gently pressing on the different areas of the foot to determine where there is pain.
The podiatrist will also order X-rays. Because a Jones fracture often does not show up on a X-ray, additional imaging tests may be ordered.
Until you are able to see a podiatrist, the R.I.C.E. method of care should be performed. The podiatrist may use one of these non-surgical options for treatment of a fifth metatarsal fracture:

• Immobilization. Depending on the severity of the injury, the foot is kept immobile with a cast, cast boot, or stiff-soled shoe. Crutches may also be need to avoid placing weight on the injured foot.
• Bone stimulation. A pain-free external device is used to speed the healing of some fractures. Bone stimulation, most commonly used for Jones fractures, may be used as part of the treatment or following an inadequate response to immobilization. 

If the injury involves a displaced bone, multiple breaks, or has failed to adequately heal, surgery may be required. The podiatrist will determine which procedure is best suited to the individual patient.
If you are an athlete who has a sports injury, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington, Kensington, and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter. 

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