Background: Different methods have been adopted to treat delayed union and non-union of fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal using screws, plates and tension band wires. There has been increasing use of intramedullary screw fixation to treat these fractures with variable rates of success. The optimum screw diameter and properties have been a subject of debate. To assess the results of using a larger diameter 5.5 mm cannulated, headless variable-pitch screw to fix delayed union of Jones fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal.
Methods and methods: A case series study including 24 patients with delayed union of Jones fifth meta-tar-sal fractures. The fractures were fixed by a 5.5 mm cannulated variable-pitch compression titanium screw (Acumed® Acutrak 2® Screw System).
Results: Radiological union was achieved in all patients at a mean of 7.2 weeks. At 12 months' follow up, patients had a mean American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society midfoot score of 95.6. The mean Short Form 12 Physical and mental survey scores improved from 22.71 and 29.31 points preoperatively to 57.88 and 59.54 respectively.
Conclusion: The headless compression screw achieved a satisfactory union rate for delayed union Lawren-ce zone II fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal with satisfactory functional results.
Keywords: Jones fracture; delayed union; headless screw; non-union.