Abstract des Autors

Twenty-one patients (age range, 15 to 26) had proximal diaphyseal fractures of the fifth metatarsal. Clinical records and radiographs for all patients were available for review. Patient treatment included several methods, including rest, plaster immobilization, and bone grafting. Twenty of the 21 patients were participating in athletics. Nine of the 21 fractures and 8 of the reinjuries were sustained while playing basketball. Healing required a minimumof 3 months (with bone graft) and some fractures were not radiographically healed at 20 months, although the patients were clinically asymptomatic. The fracture of the proximal shaft of the fifth metatarsal is a troublesome injuryin the active athlete. The clinical course does not appear to be influenced bythe usual initial conservative treatment modalities, although many of these fractures will heal if the athlete is willing to restrict activities for a prolonged period of time. In this series, bone grafting with a tibial corticocancellous graft after thorough curettage of sclerotic bone obliterating the medullary canal was the most effective treatment modality for delayed union. Verf.-Referat