Abstract
Background There is no established principle regarding weight-bearing in conservative and operative management of fifth metatarsal base fractures. Methods We reviewed 86 patients with acute fifth metatarsal base fractures. Conservatively treated late or early weight-bearing patients were assigned to Group A or C, respectively. Operatively treated late or early weight-bearing patients were assigned to Group B or D, respectively. Results were evaluated by clinical union, bone resorption, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores. Results All 4 groups had bone union at a mean of 6.9 weeks (range, 5.1–15.0). There were no differences between the groups in the AOFAS and VAS scores. In the early weight-bearing groups, there were fewer cases of bone resorption, and the bone unions periods were earlier. Conclusions Early weight-bearing may help this patient population. Moreover, conservative treatment could be an option in patients with underlying diseases.
Highlights
The metatarsal bone fracture (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition [ICD-10] code S92.3) accounts for 35% of all foot fractures [1]
Eighty-six patients with a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone who underwent 6 months of followup observation participated in this study
A misstep was the main cause of the fracture, accounting for 68 patients followed by a traffic crash and direct injury (5 patients) (Table 3)
Summary
The metatarsal bone fracture (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition [ICD-10] code S92.3) accounts for 35% of all foot fractures [1]. [4, 5] classified the proximal portion of the fifth metatarsal fracture as the zone injury. According to this classification, zone 1 fractures are tuberosity avulsion fractures, with an incidence of 93%. There is no established principle regarding weight-bearing in conservative and operative management of fifth metatarsal base fractures. Treated late or early weight-bearing patients were assigned to Group A or C, respectively. Treated late or early weight-bearing patients were assigned to Group B or D, respectively. Conservative treatment could be an option in patients with underlying diseases
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