• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2012

Fractures located at the metaphyseal/diaphyseal junction at the base of the fifth metatarsal were first described by Sir Robert Jones in 1902. However, ever since, there has been disagreement and debate regarding the diagnosis, classification, pathomechanics, the incidences, and potential causes of delayed unions and nonunions, and the optimal method of treatment. It appears to be widely agreed that proximal fractures of the metaphyseal/diaphyseal region of the fifth metatarsal are prone to delayed union or even nonunion. Several classifications of proximal fifth metatarsal stress fractures have been devised. Torg et al. classified fractures involving the proximal part of the diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal into three types. The Torg classification is a good grading system that can be used to determine the type of surgery needed as well as for the prediction of prognosis. The ''plantar gap'' might add to the decision-making process for surgery and improve the prediction of patient prognosis. In addition, the new classification using 'plantar gap' might be used for classification of fifth metatarsal stress fracture. Fifth metatarsal stress fractures can be treated conservatively or surgically, and excellent results have been reported for surgery with rapid recovery in athletes. Intramedullary screw fixation has become a popular form of fixation for fifth metatarsal stress fractures. Bone grafting presents the problems of a longer recovery time and additional skin incision for harvesting. The modified tension band wiring is an useful and simple option for surgical treatment of challenging fifth metatarsal stress fractures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.185-188
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• 2008

Purpose: Zone I fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone can generally be treated by conservative methods while both surgical and conservative methods are used for zone II fractures. However, the clinical results of conservative treatment have been rarely reported. The purpose of this study is to report the clinical results of conservative treatment for zone I and II nondisplaced fractures. Materials and Methods: Between July 2007 and August 2008, consecutive thirty seven patients (38 fractures) with zone I and II fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone were treated with tolerable weight bearing and minimum duration of immobilization based on pain on weight bearing. We evaluated the duration of immobilization, time to clinical and radiographic union, and time to pre-injury activity level. Results: Clinical and radiological union were achieved in all patients without any complications including malunion or nonunion. The mean duration of immobilization was 28.7 days. The mean 33.1 days and 48.9 days were required for clinical union and radiographic union respectively, after the initial injury. The mean time to pre-injury activity level was 4.8 months. Conclusion: Our study shows that the acute nondisplaced zone I, II fracture of fifth metatarsal bone can be treated effectively using tolerable weight bearing and minimum duration of immobilization, which is based on the pain on weight bearing.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.163-170
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• 2022

Purpose: The proximal fifth metatarsal fracture is one of the most common foot fractures. However, few studies have evaluated the associated injuries in patients with a proximal fifth metatarsal fracture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of foot and ankle joint injuries associated with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures and compare the incidence of these injuries based on the injury mechanisms and location of the fracture. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 157 patients with a proximal fifth metatarsal fracture who underwent surgery from January 2014 to August 2021. Their medical records and radiology images were reviewed to classify and analyze the associated injuries. The proximal fifth metatarsal fractures were classified using Lawrence and Botte's classification. Injury mechanisms were divided into direct and indirect injuries. The incidence of injuries was statistically analyzed according to the injury mechanism and classification. Results: Of the 157 patients with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures, 81 (51.6%) were diagnosed with foot and ankle joint injuries. The incidence of foot injuries was 65.4%, that of ankle joint injuries was 19.8%, and of both foot and ankle joint injuries was 14.8%. In patients with direct injuries, the incidence of foot and ankle joint injuries was 82.5% and that of indirect injuries was 41.0%. Statistical differences were observed between the incidence of direct and indirect injuries (p<0.001). The incidence of injuries, according to Lawrence and Botte's classification, was 54.9% (Zone I), 41.2% (Zone II), and 50.0% (Zone III) respectively. However, there were no statistically significant variations in the locations of the proximal fifth metatarsal fractures (p=0.051). Conclusion: In this study, the incidence of foot and ankle joint injuries associated with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures was found to be high. Therefore, a careful physical examination and appropriate radiological evaluation are recommended for patients with such fractures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2000

Freiberg's infarction involving the fifth metatarsal head is very rare condition. The authors experienced a case of avascular necrosis of the fifth metatarsal head and base of the proximal phalanx in a 27-year-old female patient. Involved bones were excised and internally fixed with 2 K-wires after autogenous cancellous bone grafting. Pain was relieved, and an excellent clinical result was obtained at the follow-up examination six months after the surgery.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of internal fixation using multiple Kirschner wires (K-wires) for the fifth metatarsal base fracture. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 14 patients with a displaced fifth metatarsal base fracture. We measured the distance of fracture displacement on the foot oblique radiograph pre- and post-operatively. We evaluated the clinical results using the visual analog pain scale at six weeks and three months postoperatively and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) mid-foot score at six months postoperatively. Results: In our series, 10 cases were zone I fracture and four cases were zone II fracture. We achieved anatomical reduction and bony union in all of our cases. The average time to bone union was 43 days. The degree of pain around the fifth metatarsal base was significantly decreased after surgery. The average AOFAS score was 95 at six months postoperatively. Conclusion: Multiple K-wire fixation is a relatively simple fixation method for displaced fifth metatarsal base fractures. If we place a K-wire into the medial cortex of the fifth metatarsal, we could prevent proximal migration of the K-wire.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.18-21
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of internal fixation with tension band wiring for the fracture at the base of fifth metatarsal bone. Materials and Methods: From January 2008 to December 2009, 15 cases with displaced fracture at the base of fifth metatarsal were analyzed and average follow up period was 13.8 months. Lawrence classification was used to classify fracture type. We evaluated clinical results by American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score and radiological results by union time. Complications was also checked. Results: According to classification, zone I fracture were 11 cases and zone II fracture were 4 cases. Bony union was achieved in all cases after 7 weeks. In the final follow-up, average AOFAS score was 94. There were no complications except hardware irritation. Conclusion: Satisfactory results were obtained after tension band wiring for the fifth Metatarsal base fracture in zone I fracture or comminuted zone II fracture for which it is not easy to be fixed with screw.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2004

Chondroblastoma is a benign chondroid-forming tumor usually originating in the epiphysis. The base of metatarsal bone contains neither an epiphysis nor a secondary ossification center and so is the rare site of chondroblastoma. Here, we present a case of chondroblastoma of the base of fifth metatarsal bone in 34-year-old man. Histologically, the osteoclast-like giant cells were abundant enough to simulate a giant cell tumor. And the chondroid intercellular matrix was intermixed but scanty. However, the background mononuclear cells showed irregular and indented nuclei with longitudinal clefts and positive immunoreactivity for S-100 protein, as the evidence of chondroblasts.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.131-134
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes, including the complications, of open reduction and internal fixation using a headless cannulated compression screw for a fifth metatarsal base fracture. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively investigated 11 patients with 5th metatarsal base fracture who were treated with a headless cannulated compression screw. The mean follow-up period was 13 months (8~15 months), and the mean age was 46.5 years (21~70 years). We analyzed the patients' sex, age, time to union, amount of fracture displacement, and complications. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score was used for clinical assessment. Results: The average amount of displacement decreased significantly from 3.4 mm (2.1~5.2 mm), preoperatively, to 0.4 mm (0~1.3 mm), postoperatively (p<0.001). The average bone union time was 54.1 days (41~68 days). There were no complications, such as a metal failure, irritation, and loss of a reduction. The mean AOFAS midfoot score was 97.7 (90~100) at 6 months, postoperatively. Conclusion: We suggest that a headless cannulated compression screw for 5th metatarsal base fracture is a useful and alternative method for a firm fixation without complications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.18-22
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and cause of reamputation with respect to the location of foot amputation. Materials and Methods: Eighty-six patients who received amputations below the ankle level from March 2002 to September 2012 with at least 1 year follow-up were enrolled in this study. We stratified the site of the initial amputation from first to fifth ray and into either the phalanx or metatarsal bone, and investigated the cause of reamputation. Results: The reamputation rate below the ankle level was 53.5%. It was highest (62.1%) in patients with first ray amputations without statistical significance. Rays were divided into two columns, first to third rays as the medial column and others as the lateral column, and reamputation was performed in 61.2% of patients with medial column amputation. Comparing the results between phalanx and metatarsal amputations, reamputation was performed in 62.1% of patients with metatarsal bone amputation. The rate of reamputation was statistically significant in both the medial column and metatarsal amputations. The most common reamputation site, in accordance to the initial site of amputation, was the adjacent ray (57.4%), which was without statistical significance. Moreover, the most common cause of reamputation was osteomyelitis and focal infection in all rays. Conclusion: This study showed that reamputation after amputation below the ankle level was relatively common with highest rate in medial column and metatarsal amputations. Hence, surgeons should be aware of the risk of reamputation and put more preventive effort during medial column and metatarsal amputations.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 1997

Freiberg's disease is a pathologic condition of the second or third metatarsal head, rarely the forth or fifth metatarsal head, and it becomes abnormally enlarge due to avascular necrosis of subchondral cancellous bone. From Nov. 1982 to Sep. 1994, we treated surgically 10 cases of the disease who complained the continuous symptoms inspite of proper conservative management. Metatarsal head excision was done in 8 cases and resurfacing of the cartilagenous portion of the metatarsal head in 2 cases. During the average follow up of 55 months, the pain was relieved in all patients who were underwent surgical intervention but the stiffness of the metatarsophalangeal joint was remained in most of cases. It seems to be a logical treatment of choice in younger and active patients that conservative management is the initial treatment but more ablative procedure is needed for the continued symptoms. We can propose the metatarsal head excision or resurfacing of the involved joint is effective treatment method with simple procedure and minimize morbid period than other procedures such as corrective osteotomy.