Fifth Metatarsal Fractures in Professional Soccer Players: Case Series

Fifth metatarsal fractures occur mainly in young athletes, with an estimated incidence of 1.8 per 1000 individuals per year. This study aims to evaluate the functional outcome of professional soccer players undergoing surgical treatment of fifth metatarsal base fractures.

We appraised 34 soccer players operated on from July 2001 to June 2016. All individuals were assessed by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after surgery, with a mean 23-month follow-up. The need for grafting, fracture healing, Torg classification, and return to sports were also evaluated.

There were 10 attackers, 7 offensive-defensive midfielders, 6 side defenders, 5 central defensive midfielders, 3 defenders, 2 goalkeepers, and 1 defensive midfielder, at an average age of 19 years. Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS averaged 42 and 99 points, respectively, whereas VAS scores were 6 and 0. The longer the time to get operated on, the greater was the need for grafting (P = .011). In our study, all fractures have consolidated. Return to sports occurred, on average, 73 days after surgical treatment, and it was not influenced by the time to get operated on, fracture healing, Torg classification, and grafting.

Surgical treatment of the fifth metatarsal base fracture in professional soccer players presents good clinical results. Getting back to activities after surgery is not influenced by surgery time, fracture healing, Torg classification, and grafting.Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Therapeutic studies, Case series.