National Basketball Association

Ben Simmons' Injury Update: Rolling Ankle Typically Dancer's Fracture

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:54 p.m. ET

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Awaiting formal announcement about extent of Ben Simmons‘ injury, his accident is likely to have caused a Dancer’s Fracture of his right foot

During scrimmage on Friday, September 30, 2016, Ben Simmons rolled his right ankle. Following precautionary X-rays of the injury, the team announced that he had suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the right foot.

With the history of the Philadelphia 76ers and foot injuries, it’s conservative to say that this caused the fans a great deal of concern. You see, there are 26 bones in the human foot, and few of us have taken the time to memorize the names of all of them. Following X-rays, the Philadelphia 76ers announced the injury in a press release late Friday, September 30.

We have been covering developments in this story so far, and have indicated that the fifth metatarsal is the long bone towards the outside edge of the foot. To further elaborate, injuries to that bone can take the form of three very different and distinctive areas, or zones.

Initially, many medical experts have speculated that this injury would be diagnosed as a “Jones Fracture”. But that injury is not consistent with the cause of the injury. There are two other types of fractures of a metatarsal as well: Avulsion, or Dancer’s, fracture; and Stress fractures.

For the time being, let’s discuss how an injury likely causes each fracture.

To do so, let’s get a quick and dirty look at how the foot functions

Now that I’ve “geeked you out”, let’s discuss the accident and subsequent injury to the foot.

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) reacts after making a shot from the second floor balcony of the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex during media day. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Avulsion or Dancer’s Fracture

During training and performing, athletes place a great deal of stress on their feet, but perhaps none more-so than basketball players. As such, there are any number of ways for foot injuries to occur, and each specific injury dictates the type of treatment required to heal that injury and return the athlete to top performance.

The first type of injury is the Avulsion, or Dancer’s, Fracture.

Typically, the fracture results from a twisting injury to the ankle and foot. This torque causes undue force on the tendons and ligaments, and acts to (pulling off) fracture at the base of the 5th metatarsal – the bone that the little toe attaches to. If reports are correct, Ben Simmons “rolled his ankle” would most likely fall into this category.

A Dancer’s fracture causes localized pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. In most instances, this type of fracture can be treated non-operatively, with immobilization in a walking boot combined with limited weight-bearing.

It typically takes about 6 weeks for adequate bone healing to occur, before patients can start to significantly increase their activity level. It often takes 12 or more weeks for a full recovery to occur. However, in athletes, this full recovery can be accelerated with close monitoring under a physicians care.

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jones Fracture

In media, a Jones Fracture has become the consensus of many medical experts – but it has been speculation. Jones fractures typically occur with a hyperextension of the ankle joint, combined with a significant force.

The Jones fracture occurs farther down the base of the 5th metatarsal and happens after repetitive stress to this area of the bone. This type of fracture is in a blood poor zone, and is typically require a screw to ensure alignment and promote healing.

The Jones fracture has some frequency of requiring repeated treatment. As many as 20% of the initial attempts to heal fail, forcing the patient to undergo subsequent strategy.

Ultimately, the surgery requires from 8-12 weeks to heal. If relapse, a physician can detect that at approximately week 6. If the fracture requires a second surgery, expect an additional 12 weeks to ensure complete recovery.

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Stress Fracture

Finally, a stress fracture is a fracture of a bone which results from repetitive movement which places undue stress on the metatarsal bone. This is often diagnosed in joggers or runners, or even in persons walking in poorly fitting shoes.

This is the least likely type of injury to Ben Simmons, as this type of injury oftentimes occurs over time. In auto accidents, this injury may occur from an unnatural bending of the foot as well.

Not surprisingly, stress fractures are similar to Jones fractures in regards to recovery time. Due to the extent of the fracture, and a less than flourishing blood supply to the break.

So what is the likely diagnosis?

Rolling an ankle generally results in a Dancer’s, or Avulsion, fracture. This is also the most common type of metatarsal fracture. Fortunately, this is also the fracture with the simplest and fastest recovery.

While all of this is speculation at this point, there have been a wide range of speculations over Simmons’ injury, some even believing he will be gone for the season.

That’s highly unlikely.

For now, we have to wait. But the odds, for once, are on our side. Perhaps that’s why everyone is so nervous. For all the Philadelphia 76ers fans have gone through, they seldom have good news when it comes to injuries of their players.