Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Headless compression screw fixation of jones fractures: an outcomes study in Japanese athletes
Masashi Nagao1, Yoshitomo Saita, So Kameda
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. nagao@juntendo.ac.jp
Background:
Internal fixation is advocated as the primary treatment for fifth metatarsal Jones fractures in athletes; however, screw insertion site discomfort and refracture can occur especially in competitive athletes. The ideal implant has not been determined.
Hypothesis:
Headless compression screw fixation of proximal fifth metatarsal Jones fractures is an effective treatment approach especially in competitive athletes.
Study Design:
Case series; Evidence level, 4.
Methods:
We studied 60 athletes treated surgically with a headless compression screw for fifth metatarsal Jones fractures (mean age, 19 years). The mean follow-up time was 178 weeks. We evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes of headless compression screw fixation of Jones fractures.
Results:
All athletes returned to full activity. The mean time to start running after surgery was 6.3 weeks (range, 3-12.7 weeks), and the mean time to full activity after surgery was 11.2 weeks (range, 6-25 weeks). One athlete suffered a delayed union, which healed uneventfully. One athlete suffered a nonunion and underwent reoperation for a screw exchange to an autogenous bone graft harvested from the iliac crest. No screw breakage was reported. No athlete suffered a refracture or discomfort in the screw insertion site.
Conclusion:
Headless compression screw fixation of fifth metatarsal Jones fractures provided excellent results, allowing athletes to return to full activity without both screw insertion site irritation and clinical refracture.
