The epidemiology of fifth metatarsal fracture surgeries in Japan using nationwide hospital claim database.

Summary: Breaking the fifth metatarsal—the long bone on the outer edge of the foot—is a painful injury often associated with athletes. But in Japan, who actually ends up needing surgery for it? A comprehensive study analyzing over a decade of nationwide hospital records reveals a distinct pattern. While active 17-year-olds (likely due to high school sports) make up the largest group of surgical patients, there is a surprising second wave of injuries among women in their 50s. This finding suggests that while we often think of this as a young athlete's injury, middle-aged women are also a vulnerable group, highlighting a need for better bone health screening and injury prevention strategies for both teenagers and active older adults.