Acute Jones fractures

Summary

Limited evidence from one small randomized controlled trial (RCT) suggests that a higher fracture union rate is achieved when intramedullary screw fixation is used compared with nonoperative cast treatment in athletes. Faster recovery times and quicker return to sports were also reported for patients who had operative treatment compared with nonoperative treatment in the RCT. While a higher union rate was reported in a retrospective cohort as well, results were not statistically significant and because of the methodological limitations of this study, greater weight should be placed on the RCT findings. A multicenter randomized controlled trial may provide sufficient sample size for more effective comparison of the two methods of treatment.