Description

Torg et al described criteria for successful healing of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone. This can also be applied to the other metatarsals as well as the metacarpals. The authors are from the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.


 

Criteria for successful fracture healing:

(1) no symptoms

(2) X-ray evidence of complete union of the fracture

(3) X-ray evidence of recanalization of the medullary canal with no medullary sclerosis

 

The following may be found with unsuccessful healing of a fracture:

(1) persistent symptoms

(2) radiographic evidence of nonunion

(3) failure to recanalize the medullary canal

(4) medullary sclerosis

 


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