When it comes to sports-related orthopedic injuries, the feet don’t necessarily get as much media attention as, say, the knees. However, footwork plays a crucial role in almost every sport. As an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist, I have treated foot and ankle injuries in athletes ranging from recreational weekend warriors to professionals.

The Jones fracture is a foot injury that can be particularly frustrating because it is slow to heal. It is named after the late British orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Jones, who in the early 1900s reported the fracture after sustaining one upon landing on the outside of his foot while dancing.

A Jones fracture is a broken bone in the fifth metatarsal, a bone on the outer part of the foot. It connects your pinkie toe to your foot.

To put that in fuller context, the five long bones in the middle of the foot are called the metatarsal bones. Each metatarsal bone consists of a base, shaft, neck and head. Jones fractures involve the base of the fifth metatarsal—more specifically, the second zone of the base, which is the area that connects the base to the shaft.

A Jones fracture is more complicated to treat because the affected area gets less blood supply than the remainder of the bone, increasing the time needed to heal. That part of the bone is called a “watershed” area. As an analogy, I liken a “watershed” area to a portion of a lawn between two sprinklers. On that part of the lawn, the grass doesn’t grow as well because it isn’t getting as much water.

Read: How Some Sports Injuries Can Cause Arthritis at an Early Age

Jones fractures are usually classified as acute injuries—an injury that is suddenly sustained—sometimes due to landing improperly on the outside of the foot. Diagnosis is typically achieved with an X-ray, but MRI or CT scans also can be used.

Surgical repair is typically recommended for athletes or other individuals with particular physical demands. The goals of surgery are to stabilize the fracture and restore anatomy if alterations occurred.

Repair of a Jones fracture involves utilizing hardware to stabilize the bone. This can be achieved by inserting a screw into the shaft of the bone or applying a plate with screws to the metatarsal. The hardware stabilizes the bone until healing occurs. Surgery does not decrease fracture healing time, but helps in reinforcing the bone after the fracture has healed. This is especially essential for high-level athletes.

Factors to consider when treating a Jones fracture include the patient’s anatomy and overall health. For example, individuals with high arches exert more load on the outer aspect of their foot and fifth metatarsal bone. Nutrition, lifestyle and hormonal factors also play a role in bone metabolism and healing. These factors must be addressed to promote fracture healing and future bone health.

After surgery to repair a Jones fracture, a reduction in weight-bearing activities on the foot is required for proper healing. After that, some weight-bearing exercises are allowed in a removable walking boot that is worn to protect the foot and prevent further injury while healing.

Most people can expect a full return to activity in three or four months. This includes resuming playing sports. But it’s important to keep in mind that an athlete shouldn’t be cleared to return to the playing field until the bone is fully healed because the risk of refracture is relatively high.

As orthopedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine, we understand that recovery times of three to four months can seem like lifetimes to some athletes. But we have also seen, firsthand, what can happen when a patient tries to take shortcuts or ignores recommendations for proper healing. In the worst cases, that can end athletic careers. If you suffer a Jones fracture, be sure to err on the side of caution and follow your trusted orthopedic surgeon’s recommendations.