Intramedullary screw fixation of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures in athletes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to review the short- and long-term clinical and radiological results of intramedullary compression screw fixation of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures in athletes.


METHODS
Eleven male and six female active patients with fifth metatarsal zone II and zone III fractures fixed with a 4.5-mm cannulated compression screw were evaluated by chart review, review of radiographs, and clinical evaluation. Fifteen of the patients were high-level athletes (soccer: n=11; basketball: n=1; track and field: n=3) and two were recreational-level athletes. Mean follow-up from surgery to evaluation was 54 (38-70) months.


RESULTS
Mean time to healing as shown on radiographs and mean time to return to full activity after surgery were 7.3 and 7.5 weeks, respectively. All patients were able to return to their previous levels of activity. There were no reports of union delay, nonunion or refracture to date.


CONCLUSIONS
In our patients, cannulated screw fixation of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures was a reliable procedure with low morbidity associated that provided athletes a quick return to activity. Level of Evidence I, Case Series .
Orthopedic Service of Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal.
Marta Maria Teixeira de Oliveira
MM
Massada
Orthopedic Service of Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal.
Manuel Alexandre Negrais Pinho Gonçalves
MA
Pereira
Orthopedic Service of Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal.
Ricardo Jorge Gomes
RJ
de Sousa
Orthopedic Service of Hospital de Santo António, Porto, Portugal.
Paulo Guimarães
PG
Costa
Faculty of Sport of Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
José Leandro da Rocha
JL
Massada
Athletes; Fracture fixation, internal; Fracture fixation, intramedullary; Metatarsal bones