Jones Fracture. Surgical treatment or conservative treatment?

Abstract

Jones’ fracture is defined as a transverse fracture located at the junction of the diaphysis with the proximal metaphysis in the fifth metatarsal and is one of the most common lesions that appear in the foot. It’s a poorly vascularized area, which leads to high rates of non-union of the fractures. It is diagnosed with a clinical examination, associated with radiological tests, three projections are necessary: lateral, antero-posterior and an oblique of 45º. There are different classifications such as Torg et al. and Dameron et al., which help us to establish a treatment, depending on the location of the fracture and its radiological evolution. The objective of this study is to perform a review in the scientific literature to evaluate the differences in the results between surgical treatment and conservative treatment, in relation to the time of union and the possible complications, thus determining which is the optimal treatment for these fractures. We conclude that conservative treatment is a viable option, but it leads to higher rates of non-union and greater time to return to physical activity than surgical treatment, although this may lead to a series of complications such as injury Sural nerve or a possible iatrogenic fracture of the metatarsal. The surgical treatment, which consists of the fixation with an intramedullary screw, has less time of reincorporation to the habitual activity and higher rates of consolidation by which it became the first choice in athletes.