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Foot & Ankle

Symptomatic treatment or cast immobilisation for avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal

a prospective, randomised, single-blinded non-inferiority controlled trial



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Abstract

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare symptomatic treatment of a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal with immobilisation in a cast.

Our null hypothesis was that immobilisation gave better patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). The alternative hypothesis was that symptomatic treatment was not inferior.

Patients and Methods

A total of 60 patients were randomised to receive four weeks of treatment, 36 in a double elasticated bandage (symptomatic treatment group) and 24 in a below-knee walking cast (immobilisation group). The primary outcome measure used was the validated Visual Analogue Scale Foot and Ankle (VAS-FA) Score. Data were analysed by a clinician, blinded to the form of treatment, at presentation and at four weeks, three months and six months after injury. Loss to follow-up was 43% at six months. Multiple imputations missing data analysis was performed.

Results

At four weeks and six months, symptomatic treatment proved non-inferior in terms of primary outcome.

Take home message: Immobilisation is no better than symptomatic treatment in the management of a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal when judged by PROMs. Significant loss to follow-up with this injury could be expected in longer term.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:806–11.


Correspondence should be sent to Mr P. I. Akimau; e-mail:

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