Editing Metatarsal bones (section)

===Injuries===
[[File:FractureBaseof5th.png|thumb|Fracture of the base of the 5th metatarsal]]
The metatarsal bones are often broken by [[association football]] (soccer) players. These and other recent cases have been attributed to the lightweight design of modern [[football boot]]s, which provide less protection to the foot. In 2010 some football players began testing a new sock that incorporated a rubber silicone pad over the foot to provide protection to the top of the foot.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bill|first=Mills|title=Sock boffs may have cured metatarsal woes for Rooney and Co.|url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Sock-boffs-may-have-cured-metatarsal-woes-for-Wayne-Rooney-and-Co-article649675.html|access-date=12 December 2010|date=11 December 2010|publisher=www.mirrorfootball.co.uk}}</ref> Stress fractures are thought to account for 16% of injuries related to sports participation, and the metatarsals are the bones most often involved. These fractures are sometimes called [[march fracture]]s, based on their traditional association with military recruits after long marches. The second and third metatarsals are fixed while walking, thus these metatarsals are common sites of injury. The fifth metatarsal may be fractured if the foot is [[supination|oversupinated]] during locomotion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic81.htm | title = Metatarsal Stress Fracture | last = Perron | first = Andrew D. | date = 2005-11-23 | access-date = 2007-09-13}}</ref>

Protection from injuries can be given by the use of [[Steel-toe boot|safety footwear]] which can use built-in or removable metatarsal guards.