title: Stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal base caused by tension band wiring: an isolated case report.
abstract: Tension band technique has been described as a successful method of treatment for the fractures of the proximal part of the fifth metatarsal bone. A high rate of union and a low rate of complications have made this mode of treatment popular, especially in patients with nonunion and high-level athletes with stress fracture of the proximal fifth metatarsal bone. The authors report a case of an avulsion fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone treated with tension band wiring fixation, which resulted in a stress fracture 1 year after the tension band wiring. The authors recommend a K-wire perforation and tension band drill hole distal to the watershed area of the fifth metatarsal bone and removal of metalwork 6 to 12 months after fracture union to avoid this complication.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff, United Kingdom. Mofidi71@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mofidi
authors.forename: Piret
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: Rhys H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Sandeep Satish
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hemmadi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries*