Photo Credit: Adventtr
The Following is a summary of “comparative study of cannulated compression headless screts and anatomical locking compression plates for fracture of fifth metatarsal base in Athletes and young adults,” published in the februry 2025 issue of the journal of orthopaudic surgery and roserach by Cao et al.
This Study Aimed to Evaluate and Compare the Clinical EFFICACY AND COMPLICATIONS OF CHANNULATED COMPRESSION HEADLESS Screws (CHS) and Anatomical Locking Hook Plates In the Surgical Management of Displaced Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal Base I in Athlets And Young Adult. The Retrospective Analysis was conducted on 50 patients who Underwent Surgical Fixation Between May 2021 and June 2023, with Patients Categorized Into Two Groups Based on the Fixation Method: The Chs Group (n = 20) and the LCP Group (n = 30). ColleCted Data Included Demographic Information, Preoperative Waiting Time, Length of Stay, Operative Duration, and Intraoperative Blood Loss. Postoperative Outcomes Were Assessed Using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Pain, The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AFAS) Midfoot Score for Functional Recovery, and the Incidence of Complications.
The average follow-up Period was 16 months (range: 12–25 months), During Which All Fractures Achieved Primary Union. The Chs Group demonstrates the significant Shorter Operative Time (p <0.05), and Patients in This Group Reported Lower Immediate Postoperative Pain on the Vas Compreded to the LCP Group (p <0.05). FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION AT THREE MONTHS POSTAPEATIVELY SHOWED A SIGNENTLY HIGHER AFAS MIDFOOT SCORE IN THE LCP GROUP (p <0.05); However, in Significant Differentia Were Observed Between The Two Groups at Six and Twelve Months or at the Final Follow-Up (p> 0.05). NOTABLY, the LCP Group Exhibited A Higher Incidence of Postoperative Complications, Including Mill to Moderate Planting Pain in Four Patients, Foreign Body Sensation in Five Patients, and Hardware Removal Due to Discomfort in Seven Patients Within Year Postoperately.
In Contrast, Only One Patient in the Chs Group Reported Foreign Body Sensations. The incidence of complications related to internal fixation was significantly Higher in the LCP Group (p <0.05), wheels in the cases of infection or suural nerve injury wereven in either group. These Findings Suggest That While the LCP Provides Early Mobilization and Rehabilitation Benefits in Young, Active Individuals, It is Associated with a Higher Rate of Hardware-Relanted Complications. CONVERSELY, CHS FIXATION OFFERS A LESS INVASIVE APPROACH WITH LOWER POSTOPERATIVE DISCOMFORT AND A REDUCED NEED FOR IMPLER REMOVAL. Therefore, chs may be a More Favorable Surgical Option for Displaced Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal Base Zone I in Athlets and Young Adults, particularly when minimizing implant-reladied morbidity is a priority. Future Studies with Larger Cohorts and Prospective Designs Are Warrantd to Further Validate These Findings and Optimize Treatment Strategies for This Patient Population.
Source: josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13018-025-05529-1
