title: [Epidemiological investigation of adult metatarsal fractures].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate retrospectively the adult metatarsal fractures within last five years and analyze their epidemiological characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The X-ray films taken from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007 at department of radiology of Hebei provincial orthopedic hospital were reviewed to screen and classify according to OTA fracture comprehensive classification method. The epidemiological characteristics of adult metatarsal fractures were summarized and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1949 adult metatarsal fractures were included. The single and multiple types were 1465 and 484 respectively. The 31-50-yr age group was the largest one with 45.26% of the patients. The fifth metatarsal fracture was the most common metatarsal fracture accounting for 42.45% of the total; 58.37% of metatarsal fractures occurred in proximal metaphysis; 87.61% of multiple metatarsal fractures occurred in adjacent metatarsals; 81-A1 group fracture was the most common metatarsal fracture accounting for 35.42% of the total.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epidemiological studies of metatarsal fracture offer aids in the diagnosis and treatment of metatarsal fractures.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Center of Trauma Treatment, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, China.
authors.forename: Hai-tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hao-tian
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wen-juan
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Bao-jun
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Kun-lun
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Ying-ze
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult