Jones Fracture in Children: Care Instructions

Overview

A Jones fracture is a break or a thin (hairline) crack in the fifth metatarsal bone. This is the long bone on the outside of the foot. The break occurs near the end of this bone that's closest to the ankle.

This type of fracture can happen when a child jumps or changes direction quickly and twists the foot or ankle the wrong way. Or it can happen from repeated stress on the bones of the foot.

Treatment depends on how bad the fracture is. Your child may or may not have had surgery. Your doctor may have put your child's foot in a cast to keep it stable. A splint may be used in some cases if there is a lot of swelling. Your child may have been given crutches to use to keep weight off of the foot. The doctor may recommend that your child keep weight off the foot for several weeks.

The fracture may take 6 weeks to several months to heal. It is important to give your child's foot time to heal completely so that it doesn't get hurt again. Do not let your child return to usual activities until your doctor says it's okay. The doctor may suggest that your child get physical therapy to help regain strength and range of motion in the foot.

How can you care for your child at home?

• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
  • If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask the doctor if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about how much weight your child can put on the foot and when your child can go back to their usual activities. If your child was given crutches, be sure they are used as directed.
• Put ice or a cold pack on your child's foot for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when your child is awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your child's skin.
• Prop up your child's foot on a pillow when you ice it or anytime your child sits or lies down for the next 3 days. Try to keep it above the level of your child's heart. This will help reduce swelling.
• Take care of the cast or splint.
  • If your child's foot is in a cast or splint, follow the cast or splint care instructions your doctor gives you. If your child has a removable fiberglass walking cast or a splint, do not take it off unless your doctor tells you to.
  • Keep the cast or splint dry. If your child has a removable fiberglass walking cast or a splint, ask your doctor if it is okay to remove it when your child bathes. Your doctor may want your child to keep it on as much as possible.
  • If you are told to keep your child's cast or splint on, tape a sheet of plastic to cover it during a bath. Water under the cast or splint can cause the skin to itch and hurt.
  • Never cut the cast or let your child stick anything down inside it to scratch an itch on the leg.