Intramedullary screw fixation of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures in athletes

Biomechanical comparisons of F.E.R.I. techniques with different type of intramedullary screws fixation for Jones fractures

Introduction: Jones fractures frequently fail to unite, and adequate fixation stability is crucial. This study aimed to elucidate the biomechanical stability of various intramedullary screw fixation constructs. Methods: Jones fracture model over the proximal 5th metatarsal of artificial bone was created in all specimens. Six groups were divided based on varied screw constructs with different screw lengths, either 30 or 40 mm, including cannulated screws-C30 and C40 groups, one high-resistance suture combined with intramedullary cannulated screws (F.E.R.I. technique)-CF30 and CF40 groups, and second-generation headless compression screws (SG-HCS) -HL30 and HL40 groups. Mechanical testing was conducted sequentially, and the maximal force (N) and stiffness (N/mm) of all constructs were recorded. Results: The maximal force (N) at 1.0 mm downward displacement in C30, C40, CF30, CF40, HL30, and HL40 groups were 0.56 ± 0.02, 0.49 ± 0.02, 0.65 ± 0.02, 0.49 ± 0.01, 0.68 ± 0.02, and 0.73 ± 0.02, respectively, and the stiffness (N/mm) in subgroups were 0.49 ± 0.01, 0.43 ± 0.01, 0.67 ± 0.01, 0.42 ± 0.01, 0.61 ± 0.01, and 0.58 ± 0.02, respectively. SG-HCS subgroups exhibited greater maximal force and stiffness than conventional cannulated screws. Screws of 30 mm in length demonstrated better stability than all 40 mm-length screws in each subgroup. In C30 fixation, the stiffness and maximum force endured increased by 1.16 and 1.12 times, respectively, compared with the C40 fixation method. There were no significant differences between CF30 and SG-HCS groups. Only the F.E.R.I technique combined with the 4.5 mm cannulated screw of 30 mm in length increased the biomechanical stability for Jones fractures. Discussion: These biomechanical findings help clinicians decide on better screw fixation options for greater stability in Jones fractures, especially when large-diameter screws are limited in use. However, this biomechanical testing of intramedullary screw fixation on Jones fracture model lacks clinical validation and no comparisons to extramedullary plate fixations. Moving forward, additional clinical and biomechanical research is necessary to validate our findings.

Fractures of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Bone: A Critical Analysis Review

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Fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal (PFMT) are one of the most common foot injuries, accounting for 61% to 78% of all foot fractures, but full consensus on their classification, diagnosis, and treatment has not yet been reached.

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The most commonly accepted classification is that of Lawrence and Botte, who divided the location of PFMT fractures into 3 zones with respect to their healing potential.

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Avulsion fractures of the tuberosity of the base (zone 1) generally heal well, and nonoperative treatment is commonly recommended.

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Internal fixation may be considered for displaced fractures that extend into the fourth-fifth intermetatarsal joint (zone 2) as well as for nondisplaced fractures in athletes or high-demand patients, with the aims of reducing the healing time and expediting return to sport or work.

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Stress fractures of the proximal diaphysis (zone 3) are preferably treated operatively, particularly in the presence of signs of delayed union. With nonoperative treatment, supportive measures such as ultrasonography or external/extracorporeal shockwave therapy have been demonstrated to have limited potential for the enhancement of fracture-healing.

Fifth Metatarsal Fracture-A Systematic Review of the Treatment of Fractures of the Base of the Fifth Metatarsal Bone

BACKGROUND

Metatarsal fractures are among the most common foot and ankle injuries, with an annual incidence of 6.7 per 100 000 persons. Approximately 30% of metatarsal fractures affect the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. Nevertheless, no evidence-based treatment recommendations are available to date.

METHODS

The three fracture localizations according to Lawrence and Botte (zone I, proximal to the intermetatarsal joint between the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones; zone II, in the area of the joint; zone III, at the distal end of the joint) are analyzed on the basis of a systematic literature search. Studies were included that compared the treatment of two types of fracture in the same manner, or that compared two different treatments for a single type of fracture.

RESULTS

Nine studies compared different treatments of zone I fractures. Two of these were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); in one RCT, patients given functional therapy returned to work much sooner than those treated with immobilization (11 vs. 28 days; p = 0.001), with otherwise similar outcomes. The non-randomized studies revealed a faster return to full function (33 vs. 46 days; p<0.05) with early functional therapy, and similar outcomes for immobilization and surgery. One RCT that compared functional therapy with immobilization for zone II fractures revealed no statistically significant difference. Five studies compared fractures in zones I and II that were treated in the same manner, revealing similar outcomes. One RCT compared surgery and immobilization for zone III fractures: surgery led to statistically significant improvement of the outcome in all of the measured parameters.

CONCLUSION

Fractures in zones I and II should be treated with early functional therapy. There seems to be no reason to consider zone I and II fractures as two separate entities, as the outcomes in the two groups are similar. In contrast, fractures in zone III should primarily be treated surgically.

Adequate union rates for the treatment of acute proximal fifth metatarsal fractures

PURPOSE

To compare the bone healing, clinical, and return to daily activity outcomes after either surgical or conservative management of acute zone 1, 2, and 3 fifth metatarsal fractures.

METHODS

A literature search was performed to identify studies published from the earliest record to January 2019 using EMBASE (Ovid), MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. All articles assessing clinical outcomes of acute proximal fifth metatarsal fractures were included. Bone healing and clinical outcomes were thereafter calculated using a simplified pooling method.

RESULTS

Thirty-two articles comprising of a total of 1,239 fractures were included, of which one was a randomized controlled trial, seven were prospective studies, and 24 were retrospective studies. 627 zone 1 fractures demonstrated union rates of 93.2% following conservative treatment and 95.1% following surgical treatment. Conservatively managed zone 1 fractures were displaced 49.5% of the time, compared to a rate of 92.8% for the surgically treated cases. For Jones' (zone 2) fractures, bone healing outcomes of conservative versus surgical treatment showed union rates of 77.4% versus 96.3%, refracture rates of 2.4% versus 2.1%, and mean time to union of 11.0 weeks versus 9.4 weeks, respectively. Only ten proximal diaphyseal (zone 3) fractures were reported, with a mean return to work of 8.2 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Acute zone 1 fractures are preferably treated conservatively as similar union rates were found after both conservative and surgical management. In contradistinction, acute zone 2 fractures demonstrate higher union rates and faster time to union when treated surgically. The outcomes of acute zone 3 fractures are rarely reported in the literature, so treatment recommendations remain unclear. Further research of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures is warranted to provide more definitive conclusions, but current findings can aid surgeons during the shared clinical decision making process.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

High union rates following surgical treatment of proximal fifth metatarsal stress fractures

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the union rate and time for surgical- and non-surgical treatment of stress fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal (MT5). The secondary purpose was to assess the rate of adverse bone healing events (delayed union, non-union, and refractures) as well as the return to sports time and rate.

METHODS

A literature search of the EMBASE (Ovid), MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases until March 2020 was conducted. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria. The primary outcomes were the union time and rate. Secondary outcomes included the delayed union rate, non-union rate, refracture rate, and return to sport time and rate. A simplified pooling technique was used to analyse the different outcomes (i.e. union rate, time to union, adverse bone healing rates, return to sport rate, and return to sport time) per treatment modality. Additionally, 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the union rate, adverse bone healing rates, and the return to sport rate.

RESULTS

The literature search resulted in 2753 articles, of which thirteen studies were included. A total of 393 fractures, with a pooled mean follow-up of 52.5 months, were assessed. Overall, the methodological quality of the included articles was low. The pooled bone union rate was 87% (95% CI 83-90%) and 56% (95% CI 41-70%) for surgically and non-surgically treated fractures, respectively. The pooled radiological union time was 13.1 weeks for surgical treatment and 20.9 weeks for non-surgical treatment. Surgical treatment resulted in a delayed union rate of 3% (95% CI 1-5%), non-union rate of 4% (95% CI 2-6%) and refracture rate of 7% (95% CI 4-10%). Non-surgical treatment resulted in a delayed union rate of 0% (95% CI 0-8%), a non-union rate of 33% (95% CI 20-47%) and a refracture rate of 12% (95% CI 5-24%), respectively. The return to sport rate (at any level) was 100% for both treatment modalities. Return to pre-injury level of sport time was 14.5 weeks (117 fractures) for surgical treatment and 9.9 weeks (6 fractures) for non-surgical treatment.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of stress fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal results in a higher bone union rate and a shorter union time than non-surgical treatment. Additionally, surgical and non-surgical treatment both showed a high return to sport rate (at any level), albeit with limited clinical evidence for non-surgical treatment due to the underreporting of data.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review.

Early Return to Play After Intramedullary Screw Fixation of Acute Jones Fractures in Collegiate Athletes: 22-Year Experience

Background:

There is disagreement among team physicians, without conclusive evidence, as to when high-level athletes with a Jones fracture should be allowed to return to play after being treated operatively with an intramedullary screw.

Purpose:

To report our experience of early return to sport in collegiate athletes after intramedullary screw fixation of Jones fractures.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

We identified all collegiate athletes with an acute fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal treated by 1 of 2 orthopaedic surgeons with intramedullary screw fixation over a 22-year period (1994-2015), and we performed a retrospective review of their records. Fixation consisted of a single intramedullary screw. Athletes were allowed to bear weight as tolerated in a walking boot immediately postoperatively and return to play as soon as they could tolerate activity. Patients were contacted to complete patient-reported outcome scores that included the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) score, a brief survey specific to our study, and follow-up radiographs.

Results:

A total of 26 acute Jones fractures were treated in 25 collegiate athletes (mean age, 20 years; range, 18-23 years). Overall, the athletes returned to play at an average of 3.6 weeks (range, 1.5-6 weeks). Three screws were removed for symptomatic skin irritation. There was 1 refracture after screw removal that was done after radiographic and clinical documentation of fracture union, which was treated with repeat cannulated percutaneous screw fixation. One screw was observed on radiographs to be broken at 1 year postoperatively, but the fracture was healed and the athlete was playing National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I sports without symptoms and continued to play professionally without symptoms. Of 25 athletes, 19 completed the FAAM at an average follow-up of 8.6 years (range, 1.5-20.0 years). They reported scores of 94.9% (range, 70.2%-100%) for the activities of daily living subscale and 89.1% (range, 42.9%-100%) for the sports subscale. Follow-up radiographs were obtained, and no nonunion, malunion, or additional hardware complications were identified.

Conclusion:

Athletes with acute Jones fractures can safely be allowed to return to play after intramedullary screw fixation as soon as their symptoms allow, without significant complications. In our experience, this is usually within 4 weeks from injury.

Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Fractures: Anatomy, Classification, Treatment and Complications

Context

Fractures of proximal fifth metatarsal are one of the most common fractures of the foot.

Evidence Acquisition

A search of PubMed for studies on proximal fifth metatarsal fracture and Jones fracture focusing on the classification and management was performed. The reference list of the retrieved articles was searched for additional related studies.

Results

The vascular supply and soft tissue anatomy of the fifth metatarsal explains the increased risk of delayed union and non-union in fractures at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction. Lawrence and Botte classify proximal fifth metatarsal fractures according to their location: tuberosity avulsion fractures (zone 1), fractures at metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction extending into the fourth-fifth intermetatarsal joint (zone 2) and proximal diaphyseal fractures (zone 3). Zone 1 fractures are treated conservatively with functional immobilization and early mobilization with excellent outcome. For zone 2 and zone 3 fractures, acute forms can be treated conservatively but with a risk of delayed union time and time for return to function. Therefore, early surgical fixation with intramedullary screw is advised in athletic individuals. For cases presented with signs of delayed union and non-union, surgical treatment with or without bone grafting is recommended. Complications of these fractures and their management are discussed in this report.

Conclusions

Lawrence and Botte’s classification of proximal fifth metatarsal fractures is recommended by experts, due to its implication on prognosis and treatment strategy. Zone 1 fractures should be treated conservatively due to their excellent healing potential. Early operative treatment is advised for zone 2 and zone 3 fractures, especially in the athletic group. Complications of delayed union, non-union and refractures should be treated by revision fixation and bone grafting.