Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, standing, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries — acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn’t resolve
Foot & Ankle · Conditions A–Z
Jones Fracture fifth metatarsal fracture
A Jones fracture is a break at the base of the fifth metatarsal — the long bone behind your little toe — in a zone with a fragile blood supply that can heal slowly. If you've rolled your foot and the outer edge is painful and swollen, our board-certified specialists offer same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
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Surgical and non-surgical options at LAOSS.
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What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles–area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- A Jones fracture is a break at the base of the fifth metatarsal, in a 'watershed' zone with limited blood supply that's prone to slow or incomplete healing.
- Because of that healing risk, treatment is more cautious than for a typical foot fracture — strict non-weightbearing immobilization is often the conservative path.
- Many active patients and athletes often consider intramedullary screw fixation to speed healing and lower the chance of re-fracture.
- On-site X-ray at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations get you a clear diagnosis fast.
Overview
What is jones fracture?
A Jones fracture is a specific break at the base of the fifth metatarsal — the bone that runs along the outer edge of your foot, behind the little toe. It sits in a narrow zone where two blood supplies meet but neither is strong, which is why this particular fracture is known for healing slowly and, in some cases, not fully knitting together on its own.
That's also why a Jones fracture is treated more carefully than a routine foot break. Conservative care — typically strict non-weightbearing immobilization in a cast or boot, sometimes with a bone-growth stimulator — works well for many people, but it asks for patience and close follow-up. For athletes and active patients, or for fractures that show signs of poor healing, a small screw placed down the center of the bone can speed recovery and lower the risk of re-injury.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we see most, how we confirm the diagnosis with imaging, and the full range of treatment options — from simple immobilization to surgical fixation — so you can make an informed choice.
Patient education
Watch: Jones Fracture
This is a break of a bone in the foot called the "fifth metatarsal." It's on your foot's outer side, behind the little toe. With a Jones fracture, this bone breaks on the end furthest from the toe. The fifth metatarsal doesn't have a good blood supply there, so healing can be difficult.
Animations licensed from ViewMedica · Swarm Interactive
Anatomy of the foot & ankle — tibia, talus, calcaneus, metatarsals, and the plantar fascia.
Anatomy
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn’t match the way your foot is built.
Self-orient
When jones fracture shows up.
Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Pain and tenderness along the outer edge of the foot, near the base of the little toe
- Swelling and bruising over the outside of the midfoot
- Difficulty or pain bearing weight, especially when pushing off
- Pain that started suddenly after rolling or twisting the foot
- Tenderness over a specific spot on the fifth metatarsal base
Causes
Common causes
- A twisting or rolling injury with the foot turned inward (inversion)
- Landing awkwardly or pivoting during sports like basketball, soccer, or running
- Repetitive stress that gradually weakens the bone before it breaks
- High arches or foot mechanics that load the outer foot
- A direct blow to the outside of the foot
Diagnostics
How we diagnose jones fracture
You want answers, fast — and we’re built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here’s what your initial visit for jones fracture typically looks like:
- Detailed history — when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you’ve already tried
- Focused exam of the foot & ankle — range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation with a trusted Greater Los Angeles orthopedic expert today.
Treatment options
How we treat jones fracture at LAOSS
Once we’ve confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits — and escalate only when it doesn’t.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Strict non-weightbearing immobilization in a cast or fracture boot, often for six to eight weeks or more
- Crutches, a knee scooter, or other aids to keep weight off the foot while it heals
- Bone-growth stimulator (bone stimulator) to encourage healing in slow-to-unite fractures
- Activity modification and a staged return to weightbearing guided by repeat X-rays
- Vitamin D and calcium optimization to support bone healing
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Procedures performed by board-certified foot & ankle surgeons when conservative care isn’t enough.
- Intramedullary screw fixation — a single screw placed down the center of the bone, often through a small incision
- Percutaneous (minimally invasive) screw placement for active patients and athletes to speed return to activity
- Bone grafting added when a fracture has failed to heal (nonunion) or has re-broken
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for displaced or complex fracture patterns
Surgeon expertise
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & Ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise — start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Candidacy
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- You rolled or twisted your foot and now have pain and swelling along the outer edge, near the little toe
- You're having trouble bearing weight or pushing off without pain
- An X-ray elsewhere showed a fifth metatarsal fracture and you want a specialist's plan
- You're an athlete or active person who wants the fastest, most reliable path back to your sport
- A previous foot fracture in this area didn't fully heal or has broken again
Evaluation
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history — onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, an open wound or exposed bone, foot or ankle deformity after trauma, loss of sensation, or any sign of infection (fever, spreading redness, or swelling).
Recovery
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line — but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
01Days 0–14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the foot & ankle, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
- Activity modification with clear do/don’t guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
02Weeks 2–8
Rehabilitation
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the foot & ankle.
- Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
- Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
- Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
03Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there — and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient — informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Specific
Foot & Ankle-specific considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Your care team
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists combine advanced surgical expertise with a patient-first approach. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to reconstruction, fracture care, and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. Trusted across Los Angeles, our team is dedicated to restoring mobility, relieving pain, and helping you return to the activities you love.
Specialists
Meet your foot & ankle specialists.
4 providers
About this care
Trusted Jones fracture care in Los Angeles
A Jones fracture isn't an injury to wait on or walk off — because of where it sits in the bone, the choices you make early genuinely affect how well and how fast it heals. At LAOSS, expert care is close to home, with same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations and on-site imaging at most offices, so you get a clear diagnosis and a plan without weeks of waiting.
Whether your fracture is best managed with careful immobilization or with a small fixation screw, our board-certified foot & ankle specialists guide you from diagnosis through full recovery — with repeat imaging to confirm the bone is healing and a measured return-to-activity plan when it is. Call or schedule online to get started with a trusted specialist near you.
Patient reviews
What patients say about us.
★★★★★4.97,500+ Google reviews
Wonderful staff. The MA was so kind to my elderly mom and the doctor explained everything twice so she’d remember. Felt like we were treated like family.
Patricia Aguilar
Cerritos, CA · 6 January 2025
FAQ
Common jones fracture questions
- A Jones fracture sits in a specific spot at the base of the fifth metatarsal where the blood supply is limited, so it heals more slowly and is more likely to need careful immobilization or surgery than a typical foot fracture. That's also why it's often confused with a less serious avulsion fracture nearby — getting the exact location right on X-ray changes the treatment plan.
- Not always — many Jones fractures heal with strict non-weightbearing immobilization, though it can take several weeks and requires patience. Athletes, active patients, and fractures showing signs of poor healing often do better with a small fixation screw, and we'll explain both paths and the trade-offs before any decision.
- With surgery, many patients gradually return to weightbearing over a few weeks and to sport once X-rays confirm the bone has healed, often around two to three months. Healing timelines vary with the fracture and the person, so we confirm union on imaging before clearing you for full activity rather than going by the calendar alone.
- Walking on a Jones fracture is one of the main reasons it fails to heal or re-breaks, even when the pain feels manageable. Because of the fragile blood supply in this zone, we recommend a prompt evaluation and staying off the foot until a specialist confirms a plan.
Ready when you are
Don’t wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles–area offices.
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