[Symptomatic treatment of non-displaced avulsion and Jones fractures of the fifth metatarsal: a prospective study]. / Traitement symptomatique des fractures non déplacées de la base du cinquième métatarse: étude prospective.

The objective was to compare the results of a conservative treatment of non-displaced Jones fractures and of avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal. In 2004/2005 29 fractures of the fifth metatarsal were distinguished into avulsion fractures (n = 21) and Jones fractures (n =8). Six patients with avulsion fractures were lost. We proposed the same treatment for the two groups: Elastic banding, pain killers, crutches if needed and thromboembolic prophylaxis with low molecular heparin. After twelve weeks none of the patients complained about pain. Radiographic consolidation of the fracture was noticed after 7.3 weeks for the Jone's fractures and after 7.1 weeks for the avulsion fractures. We propose symptomatic treatment for the non-displaced avulsion and Jones fractures.

The risk of injury to neurovascular structures from distal locking screws of the Unreamed Humeral Nail (UHN): a cadaveric study.

When performing distal interlocking of an intramedullary humeral nail, there is risk of iatrogenic injuring to the neurovascular structures. Our cadaveric study with frozen sections through the distal humerus presents the anatomic relationship of the different neurovascular bundles and the trajectories used for the implantation of the three distal interlocking screws of the AO-UHN. The middle lateromedial pin was in direct contact with the radial nerve in 3 out of 10 cases, with the ulnar nerve in 3 out of 10 cases and with the brachial artery in 1 out of 10 cases. We recommend using only the two anteroposterior screws for distal interlocking, avoiding the lateromedial locking option. If this lateromedial locking screw is needed to gain adequate stability, it should be introduced under visual control.