Summary
Characteristics of soccer player with Jones fracture were found. Both field players and goalkeepers developed this stress fracture. Non-preferred leg (stance leg) more suffered from this fracture than preferred leg. Players with Jones fracture in both leg injured preferred leg first.
Abstract
The Jones fracture is a proximal junctional metaphyseal/diaphyseal fracture of the fifth metatarsal and is difficult to treat because of refracture and delayed union. This fracture is a season-ending injury for soccer players. Many papers report on the operative technique, but only a few discuss risk factors and characteristics of patient with Jones fracture. The purpose of this study is to find out characteristics of soccer players with Jones fracture.
[Patients and Methods] We retrospectively reviewed 23 male soccer players treated Jones fracture in our hospital. We investigated players’ age, preferred leg (kicking leg), injured side, playing position, usual practice hours per day, playing experience, playing ground surface, and spike shoes company.
Results
The mean age of athletes was 18.5 years (range: 14-26). All patients’ preferred leg was right. 3 players injured the right (preferred leg, or kicking leg), 16 injured left (non-preferred leg, or stance leg), and 4 injured both leg. Players that injured both sides suffered right side (preferred leg) first. There were 3 GK, 5 DF, 10 MF, and 5 FW in our study. Players’ mean practice hour per day was 2.2 hours (range: 1.5-4.0 hours). The mean soccer experience was 12.4 years (range: 8-20 years). 13 players were usually playing on grass field, 9 were playing on clay, and one was on artificial grass. 13 players preferred to use a spike made by “A” company.
Discussion
The shoot or long kick movement leads to extreme loading of the lateral aspect of the foot in the stance leg. Because both field players and goalkeepers developed stress fractures in the non-preferred leg (stance leg), the load on the stance leg during kick motion may cause Jones fracture. Players with Jones fracture in both legs injured preferred leg (kicking leg) first, so factors other than the kicking motion may cause Jones fracture. This also suggest that injury to the kicking leg may be followed by a fracture to the other leg. The players with Jones fracture in the kicking leg may suffer from a fracture in the other leg, so prevention such as an insole or changing spikes should be considered for players with Jones fracture to the dominant leg.
Conclusion
Characteristics of soccer player with Jones fracture were found. Both field players and goalkeepers developed this stress fracture. Non-preferred leg (stance leg) more suffered from this fracture than preferred leg. Players with Jones fracture in both leg injured preferred leg first.