Isolated Retroverted Osteochondral Fracture of the Third Metatarsal Head in an Adult Ballet Dancer: A Case Report.

CASE: A 33-year-old healthy male ballet dancer presented with acute dorsal forefoot pain and swelling after rehearsal without antecedent trauma. CT demonstrated an isolated dorsally displaced, intra-articular osteochondral fracture of the third metatarsal head, a rare injury. The fragment was anatomically reduced and fixed with a 2.4 mm compression pin. Postoperatively, the patient underwent protected weight-bearing, early range-of-motion, and delayed push-off for 6 weeks, followed by rehabilitation. At 8 months, he was pain-free with full motion and returned to unrestricted dance.

CONCLUSION: This case underscores the rarity of isolated third metatarsal head osteochondral fractures and highlights intraoperative features that aid accurate identification and anatomic reduction.