Foot and toe fractures

Talus

  • Neck
    • High risk of avscular necrosis
  • Body
    • Delay in dx/tx can lead to non-union or subtalar osteoarthritis


Calcaneus

  • If suspect fx order an axial view
  • Types
    • Intra-articular (75%)
      • Sclerotic line may be only e/o impacted fracture
      • May only be apparent based on decreased Bohler's angle (<30degrees)
      • Draw line from highest posterior to highest point of calcaneus
      • Draw line from highest anterior to highest point of calcaneus
    • Extra-articular (25%)
      • Anterior process fx is most common (lateral radiograph)

5th Metatarsal

  • Avulsion fracture of the tuberosity
    • Due to inversion injury
    • Occurs at insertion of peroneus brevis tendon
    • Do not confuse unfused apophysis with a fracture!
  • Jones' Fracture
    • 5th MT fx that occurs within 1.5cm of the tuberosity
      • Lies distal to both the tarso-metatarsal joint and joint between 4th and 5th MTs
    • Often confused with a fracture of the tuberosity
    • Non-union is common; tx with NWB cast