Effect of Weight-Bearing in Conservative and Operative Management of Fractures of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Bone

Abstract EN

Background.

There is no established principle regarding weight-bearing in conservative and operative management of fifth metatarsal base fractures.

Methods.

We reviewed 86 patients with acute fifth metatarsal base fractures.

Conservatively treated late or early weight-bearing patients were assigned to Group A or C, respectively.

Operatively treated late or early weight-bearing patients were assigned to Group B or D, respectively.

Results were evaluated by clinical union, bone resorption, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores.

Results.

All 4 groups had bone union at a mean of 6.9 weeks (range, 5.1–15.0).

There were no differences between the groups in the AOFAS and VAS scores.

In the early weight-bearing groups, there were fewer cases of bone resorption, and the bone unions periods were earlier.

Conclusions.

Early weight-bearing may help this patient population.

Moreover, conservative treatment could be an option in patients with underlying diseases.