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

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.

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