Operative Treatment of Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal Base / 대한족부족관절학회지

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Nonunions and delayed unions are possible complications of fractures of fifth metatarsal base. We tried to report the results of the surgical treatment, which is not prevalent yet. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of thirty nine patients undergoing operation at our institution between 2003 and 2008 was conducted. Six patients were excluded with loss of follow up before bony union, multiple trauma, pediatric fractures, stress fracture, open fracture. There were 18 males and 15 females with 45.1 years old mean age. The average follow-up period was 18.3 months. We used a midfoot scoring system of AOFAS for clinical assessment and radiologic findings to evaluate bony union, alignment. Results: According to Lawrence's classification, Zone 1 fractures were thirteen and Zone 2 were twenty. Average AOFAS score was 93.61. Conclusion: Early operative treatment with cannulated screw fixation in fractures of the fifth metatarsal base is thought to be an useful and easy treatment option with faster rates of union.