Early stress fracture (Torg type I) of the fifth metatarsal

The oblique view of this radiograph shows an early stress fracture (Torg type I) of the fifth metatarsal diaphysis. Note the narrow fracture line (arrow) and the thickened cortex adjacent to the fracture on the lateral edge of the bone. It is difficult to determine on an oblique view whether this fracture lies in the typical location of a stress fracture (ie, distal to the intermetatarsal joint) or more proximally, where acute fractures typically occur.