Pelvic Region Avulsion Fractures in Adolescent Athletes: A Series of 242 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this descriptive study was to evaluate pelvic region avulsion fractures in adolescents, including age of injury, location of injury, activity and mechanism at time of injury, treatments used, duration of treatment, and outcomes. DESIGN: This was a retrospective chart review of patients who presented with pelvic region avulsion fracture over a 19-year period. SETTING: Private practice, primary care sports medicine clinic. PATIENTS: All patients younger than 20 years of age diagnosed with an acute pelvic region avulsion fracture. INTERVENTIONS: There was no set intervention protocol. A variety of interventions and combination of interventions were used and determined by the treating physician on a case-by-case basis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clearance for return toward sport activities. RESULTS: Of the 242 cases, 162 were male. Soccer was the most common sport at the time of injury, and running/sprinting was the most common mechanism. Males were generally older at presentation and were more likely than females to have anterior inferior iliac spine injuries, whereas females were more likely to have iliac crest avulsions. Conservative treatment was effective in all cases. Males were treated for a shorter duration than females, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic avulsion fractures are a rare injury in adolescent athletes. Males are twice as likely to experience these injuries and are older at presentation compared to females. Conservative management leads to successful outcomes in most cases.

Pelvic Avulsion Fractures in Adolescent Athletes: Analyzing the Effect of Delay in Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether delay in the diagnosis of pelvic avulsion fractures in young athletes leads to prolonged treatment and prolonged return toward sport activities, whether fractures at certain locations are associated with a greater risk of diagnostic delay, and what reasons may exist for delay in diagnosis. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of young patients who presented with pelvic region avulsion fracture to a community-based sports medicine clinic over a 19-year period. SETTING: Private practice, primary care sports medicine clinic. PATIENTS: Patients younger than 20 years diagnosed with pelvic region avulsion fracture. INTERVENTIONS: None, this was a retrospective study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clearance for return toward sport activities. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-five cases were reviewed for reasons for delay in diagnosis; 208 cases met criteria for the duration of treatment and return to play activities portions of the study. The mean time from date of injury diagnosis was 19.59 days, and the mean duration from date of injury to clearance for return to play advancement was 67.20 days. Duration of treatment varied slightly depending on timing of diagnosis, whereas duration from date of injury to clearance for return to play advancement varied greatly depending on diagnostic delay. Those who did not sense a "pop" at the time of injury were more likely to experience diagnostic delay, as were athletes with ischial tuberosity fractures. The most common cause of diagnostic delay was patient/family decision on when to seek care; misdiagnosis as a muscle strain was also common. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic delay of adolescent pelvic avulsion fractures may unnecessarily prevent athletes from returning to play within an optimal time frame. Our observations highlight a need for educating athletes and their families on when to seek initial or follow-up medical care as well as educating medical providers regarding the diagnosis of pelvic avulsion fractures.

Satisfactory clinical outcome of operative and non-operative treatment of avulsion fracture of the hamstring origin with treatment selection based on extent of displacement: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To compare outcome of operative and non-operative treatment of avulsion fractures of the hamstring origin, with minor (< 1.5 cm) and major (≥ 1.5 cm) displacement, and early (≤ 4 weeks) and delayed (> 4 weeks) surgery. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus. A quality assessment was performed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. RESULTS: Eight studies with 90 patients (mean age: 16 years) were included. All studies had low methodological quality (PEDro score ≤ 5). Operative treatment yielded a return to preinjury activity rate (RTPA) of 87% (95% CI: 68-95), return to sports (RTS) rate of 100% (95% CI: 82-100), Harris hip score (HHS) of 99 (range 96-100) and a University of California Los Angeles activity scale (UCLA) score of 100%. Non-operative treatment yielded a RTPA rate of 100% (95% CI:68-100), RTS rate of 86% (95% CI: 69-94), HHS score of 99 (range 96-100), and non-union rate of 18% (95% CI: 9-34). All patients with minor displacement were treated non-operatively (RTPA: 100% [95% CI: 21-100], RTS: 100% [95% CI: 51-100]). For major displacement, operative treatment led to RTPA and RTS rates of 86% (95% CI: 65-95) and 100% (95% CI: 84-100), and 0% (0/1, 95% CI: 0-79) and 100% (95% CI: 51-100) for non-operative treatment. Early surgery yielded RTPA and RTS rates of 100% (95% CI: 34-100 & 57-100) compared to 100 (95% CI: 72-100) and 90% (95% CI: 60-98) for delayed repair. CONCLUSION: All included studies have high risk of bias. There is only low level of evidence with a limited number of included patients to compare outcome of operative and non-operative treatment. Overall outcome was satisfactory. There is a treatment selection phenomenon based on displacement, with acceptable outcome in both groups. There is insufficient data to draw conclusions regarding timing of surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The amount of displacement can determine non-operative treatment in posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture.

PURPOSE: It is generally agreed that surgical treatment is warranted for acute posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fracture with displacement. However, the amount of displacement that warrants surgical treatment has not been defined. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal cut-off value for displacement of posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture in determining non-operative treatment and to compare the results of non-operative treatment in acute isolated PCL avulsion fractures with non-operative treatment of acute PCL injury. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2017, 30 consecutive patients with acute isolated PCL avulsion fractures and 70 consecutive patients with acute isolated PCL injuries, all of whom underwent non-operative treatment (cast immobilization with > 2 years of follow-up) were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical scores including the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity score, as well as side-to-side differences on stress radiographs, were compared between the PCL avulsion fracture and PCL injury groups at the final follow-up. The failure rates of non-operative treatment were also compared. The predictive value of the amount of fracture displacement for successful non-operative treatment was calculated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). The optimal cut-off of the amount of fracture displacement to determine non-operative treatment was based on the maximal sum of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The two groups exhibited comparable clinical scores and mean side-to-side differences on stress radiographs. There were 5 (16.6%) failures of non-operative treatment in the PCL avulsion fracture group and 19 (27.1%) failures in the PCL injury group. (n.s) There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of initial avulsion fracture displacement and side-to-side difference in posterior stress radiographs at final follow up (P < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the amount of fracture displacement in PCL avulsion fracture to predict failure of non-operative treatment was 6.7 mm (AUROC = 1.0). CONCLUSION: The outcomes of non-operative treatment of acute isolated PCL avulsion fractures were comparable to those of patients with acute isolated PCL injuries. Acute PCL avulsion injuries with displacement of less than 6.7 mm should be considered for non-operative treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

BET 2: Tubular bandage, plaster or aircast boot for avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal?

A shortcut review was carried out to investigate whether avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal were best treated with tubular bandage, a walking boot or a short leg plaster cast. One paper presented the only evidence to answer one of the clinical questions (plaster cast or walking boot) but no evidence was found comparing tubular bandage and a walking boot. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of this paper are tabulated. It is concluded that while the only evidence available shows marginal benefit of walking boot over short plaster cast during recovery, there is no benefit to final outcome. Further research comparing tubular bandage and walking boot is required.

Tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in children.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize and discuss the fundamentals of pediatric tibial tubercle avulsion fractures (TTAFs) including preferred imaging modalities, systems for fracture classification, frequently associated injuries, treatment options, outcomes, and common complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Although TTAFs amount to fewer than 1% of all physeal injuries in children, the incidence is increasing, likely because of greater participation in high-level athletics. SUMMARY: TTAFs tend to occur in adolescents nearing skeletal maturity who engage in sports with repetitive jumping. The most popular classification system was proposed by Ogden, which defines five fracture types based on the fracture pattern and extent of fragment displacement. Treatment can be nonsurgical or surgical, and indications depend on fracture type. Most fractures are surgical candidates and can be repaired with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or arthroscopy. Arthroscopic approaches can reveal associated soft tissue injuries, such as meniscal tears, and confirm articular reduction. The most common postoperative complication is irritation because of hardware. With proper treatment, both nonsurgical and surgical outcomes are excellent. TTAFs have high rates of union and patients typically return to sports.

Tibial spine avulsion fractures: treatment update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize and clarify the current framework for treating tibial spine avulsion fractures (TSAFs). We will discuss how these fractures are classified both on plain radiographs and MRI as well as report the incidence of concomitant soft tissue injury, an important consideration that guides treatment. We will also compare guidelines for nonsurgical versus surgical treatment and summarize frequently used surgical techniques. Finally, we will review outcomes following treatment, including common complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Although TSAFs only constitute 2-5% of all pediatric knee injuries, the incidence is increasing. A recently developed MRI-based system for evaluating TSAFs is another tool that aids in the treatment of these injuries. SUMMARY: TSAFs can be classified using plain radiographs as well as MRI. Type I fractures are usually treated with immobilization whereas type II fractures typically undergo an initial attempt at closed reduction followed by arthroscopic or open reduction and fixation if needed. Type III fractures are indicated directly for arthroscopic surgery and both suture and screw fixation produce good clinical outcomes. All-epiphyseal or transphyseal approaches can minimize the risk of physeal injury in skeletally immature patients. Common complications following TSAF injury and treatment are residual laxity, knee stiffness, and nonunion or malunion.

Management of pediatric tibial tubercle fractures: Is surgical treatment really necessary?

Fractures of the anterior tibial tubercle are infrequent lesions. They often occur in male adolescent athletes, usually in relation with sports involving powerful jumps. We present a retrospective study of 10 patients, with an average age of 15.1 years, all of them males, and a total of 11 acute avulsions of the anterior tibial tubercle. We analyzed the etiology of the lesion, the type of treatment used as well as non-weight bearing period, protected immobilization period, and time until sports reincorporation. We obtained 11 acute avulsions: one case of type I; three cases of type II; four cases of type III; and three cases of type IV. Five cases were treated conservatively, including the three cases of type IV, and surgery was only performed in six cases since an anatomical reduction was not obtained with closed reduction. The results were satisfactory in all cases, with 100% percentage of sport reincorporation in less de 25 weeks. We registered only one complication, intolerance of material, which did not require additional surgeries. These fractures, although rare, have an excellent prognosis. Even if they are often treated surgically, we have obtained good results with the conservative treatment in patterns previously reported as surgical.

Isolated avulsion fracture of the first metatarsal base at the peroneus longus tendon attachment: a case report.

Avulsion fractures of the first metatarsal (MT1) base at the peroneus longus (PL) tendon attachment are rare and may be undiagnosed during an emergency visit. If the injury is not treated properly, chronic pain or persistent impairment for inversion and plantar-flexion of the first ray may occur. This case report presents a 30-year-old woman who presented 10 weeks post trauma to a foot and ankle surgeon due to a swollen right midfoot with diffuse tenderness over the medial Lisfranc joint. Further evaluation showed an isolated avulsion fracture of the first metatarsal, which was undiagnosed during the emergent visit following the accident. In this case, the patient was successfully treated conservatively. The goal of this article is to raise awareness of this rare injury for radiologists and orthopedic surgeons.

Negative pressure wound therapy in reconstructing extensive leg and foot soft tissue loss in a child: a case study.

Open fractures of the leg with large loss of tissue require extensive reconstructive methods that can injure the donor area. The use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) may minimise the impact of these reconstructive methods because of its capacity to create granulation tissue that will form a wound bed for the skin graft, thus reducing the volume of soft tissue defect and saving the donor region. This case study describes the effectiveness of NPWT in the treatment and reconstruction of an open fracture of the leg, with massive loss of soft tissue, associated with elastic intramedullary nailing in a 10-year-old female patient, who was a victim of a car accident. Clinical examination revealed a Gustilo-Anderson IIIB open fracture of the left leg, with the avulsion of the fifth toe, disarticulation of the fifth metatarsal bone, extensively damaged skin and subcutaneous tissue in the medium and distal third of the left leg and left foot. The bone was exposed in the distal part of the leg, external malleolus and left calcaneus. Profuse lavage, reduction of the tibial fracture and elastic intramedullary nailing, amputation of the fifth left toe, necrectomy and debridement of devitalised tissue were performed. NPWT was started, with the dressing changed every five days. After 55 days of using NPWT, granulation tissue covered the soft tissue defect and created a wound bed for the skin graft. NPWT helped the management of this open wound, achieving a wound bed for the skin graft, avoiding the use of complex reconstructive methods.

Management of a type two avulsion fracture of the tibial intercondylar eminence in children: arthroscopic suture fixation versus conservative immobilization.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of a type II tibial eminence avulsion fracture was controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of a modified arthroscopic suture fixation versus conservative immobilization in treatment of this type fracture in immature population. METHODS: A total of 43 type II avulsion fractures of tibial intercondylar eminence in immature patients were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Twenty-two (13 males, 9 females) were treated with arthroscopic suture fixation and 21(12 males, 9 females) with conservative cast immobilization. Radiograph, Lachman test, anterior drawer test (ADT), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 subjective score, and Lysholm score were used to evaluate clinical outcomes in follow-up. RESULT: All 43 paediatric or adolescent patients with a mean of 11.3 years (range, 8-16 years) were followed up for a median period of 34.5 months (range, 24-46 months). Radiographic evaluation showed optimal reduction immediately after surgery and bone union within three months. At the final follow-up, no limitation of knee motion range was found in any children. Grade II laxity was found in one case from surgical group and six from conservation group, showing significant difference based on ADT (χ2 = 7.927, P = 0.005) and Lachman tests (χ2 = 9.546, P = 0.002). IKDC and Lysholm scores were significantly improved; however, there were significant differences in the IKDC score (91.7 ± 4.34 vs. 84.7 ± 6.11, t = 4.35, P < 0.001) and Lysholm score (93.4 ± 4.04 vs. 87.1 ± 5.24, t = 4.53, P < 0.001), and the improvement of IKDC value (40.2 ± 7.83 vs. 31.4 ± 8.4, t = 3.57, P = 0.001) and Lysholm value (43.8 ± 6.55 vs. 35.4 ± 5.97, t = 4.36, P < 0.001) between the surgical group and the nonsurgical group. CONCLUSION: In treatment of type II tibial eminence avulsion fracture, a modified, 8 shape suture fixation under arthroscopy showed superior clinical outcomes than nonsurgical immobilization in term of restoring the laxity of paediatric ACL.

Operative versus conservative treatment of apophyseal avulsion fractures of the pelvis in the adolescents: a systematical review with meta-analysis of clinical outcome and return to sports.

BACKGROUND: Avulsion fractures of the pelvic apophyses typically occur in adolescent athletes due to a sudden strong muscle contraction while growth plates are still open. The main goals of this systematic review with meta-analysis were to summarize the evidence on clinical outcome and determine the rate of return to sports after conservative versus operative treatment of avulsion fractures of the pelvis. METHODS: A systematic search of the Ovid database was performed in December 2016 to identify all published articles reporting outcome and return to preinjury sport-level after conservative or operative treatment of avulsion fractures of the pelvis in adolescent patients. Included studies were abstracted regarding study characteristics, patient demographics and outcome measures. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the Coleman Methodology Score (CMS). RESULTS: Fourteen studies with a total of 596 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was 14.3 ± 0.6 years and 75.5% of patients were male. Affected were the anterior inferior iliac spine (33.2%), ischial tuberosity (29.7%), anterior superior iliac spine (27.9%), iliac crest (6.7%) lesser trochanter (1.8%) and superior corner of the pubic symphysis (1.2%). Mean follow-up was 12.4 ± 11.7 months and most of the patients underwent a conservative treatment (89.6%). The overall success rate was higher in the patients receiving surgery (88%) compared to the patients receiving conservative treatment (79%) (p = 0,09). The rate of return to sports was 80% in conservative and 92% in operative treated patients (p = 0,03). Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies was low, with a mean CMS of 41.2. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the present meta-analysis, the overall success and return to sports rate was higher in the patients receiving surgery. Especially in patients with fragment displacement greater 15 mm and high functional demands, surgical treatment should be considered.

Can MDCT Unmask Instability in Binder-Stabilized Pelvic Ring Disruptions?

OBJECTIVE: Pelvic binders may hinder radiologic assessment of pelvic instability after trauma, and avulsive injuries can potentially unmask instability in this setting. We compare the performance of MDCT for the detection of pelvic disruptions in patients with binders to a matched cohort without binders, and we assess the utility of avulsive injuries as signs of pelvic instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDCT examinations of 56 patients with binders were compared with MDCT examinations of 54 patients without binders. Tile grading by an experienced orthopedic surgeon was used as the reference standard (A, stable; B, rotationally unstable; C, rotationally and vertically unstable). Two radiologists performed blinded reviews of CT studies in two reading sessions (sessions 1 and 2). In session 1, Tile grade was predicted on the basis of established signs of instability, including pubic symphysis and sacroiliac (SI) joint widening. In session 2, readers could change the Tile grade when avulsive injuries were seen. Diagnostic performance for predicting rotational instability and vertical instability was assessed. RESULTS: In the binder group, AUCs under the ROC curves for rotational instability increased from fair (0.73-0.77) to good (0.82-0.89) when avulsive signs were considered. In the control group, AUCs were good in both sessions. AUCs for vertical instability were fair with binders in both sessions. Agreement with the reference standard increased from fair (0.30-0.32) to moderate (0.46-0.54) when avulsive signs were considered in the binder group but were in the moderate range for both sessions in the control group. Combined evaluation for inferolateral sacral fractures, ischial spine fractures, and rectus abdominis avulsions resulted in optimal discrimination of rotational instability. CONCLUSION: Evaluation for avulsive signs improves MDCT sensitivity for the detection of rotational instability but not vertical instability in patients with binders.

[Acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures]. / Avulsionsverletzungen der proximalen Tibia.

BACKGROUND: The tear-off of the apophysis of the proximal tibia is a rare injury (< 1 % of all apophysal lesions). It mainly affects male adolescents (14,6 years). Main causes are concentric and eccentric stress during sport activity. Morbus Osgood-Schlater seems to be a predisposing factor. AIM: Up-to-date survey of pathogenesis, diagnostics and treatment strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature research (level III and IV studies) as well as own results. RESULTS: The affected patients are mostly male (97 %), type III fractures are most frequently seen (48 %). Accompanying injuries are not to be missed (10 %). The treatment usually consists of surgery by means of an open reposition and internal refixation, recently also minimal invasi. The results are mainly very good to good, approximately 95 % reach their old level of activity again. Almost one third of the patients develop a mostly slight complication. CONCLUSION: The acute tear-off of the apophysis of the proximal tibia is an infrequent disease. In dislocated injuries the standard procedure is the open reposition and the internal fixation. Lesions within the knee are particularly to be expected in intraarticular fractures und must not be missed. A very good to good result is to be expected with correct treatment, momentous complications are all together rare.

[Apophyseal Avulsions of the Hip Region in Adolescents]. / Avulsionsverletzungen der Hüftregion des Jugendlichen.

BACKGROUND: In daily practice apophyseal avulsions of sportive adolescents are frequently being diagnosed with a time delay and treated heterogeneously. GOAL: Using the most actual literature and the own experience the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are put into perspective with regards of the needs of the adolescent athlete. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The apophyseal lesions of the hip area in adolescence are separated in those at the pelvis and those at the proximal femur. They are reviewed according to its frequency and relevance using the most updated literature. The treatment methods reported focus on the degree of dislocation and level of sports activity. RESULTS: The most frequent apophyseal avulsion of the pelvis is the avulsion of the tuber ischiadicum, followed by the inferior anterior iliac spine the superior anterior iliac spine and the apophysis of the ilium. The most affected structure at the proximal femur is the lesser trochanter, lesions of the greater trochanter are rare. The cause of injury is a specific acute contracture of the muscle inserting at the affected apophysis during different sporting activities. The treatment of pelvic apophyseal injuries is surgical only in cases with considerable fragment dislocation and in high level athletes. At the femoral side the patients are treated almost always conservatively. DISCUSSION: Despite of modern and efficient osteosynthetic techniques the treatment of avulsion lesions of the hip region is mainly conservative, even in athletes. By applying consequent diagnostic and therapeutic principles the development of pseudarthroses and heteropic ossifications can be minimised.

Classification and management of tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in children.

Fractures of the tibial tubercle are an uncommon injury, constituting 0.4-2.7% of all epiphyseal injuries. They occur in the adolescent age group, often during sports such as basketball and football. They are often classified using the modified Ogden classification. Understanding the anatomy and pathophysiology is essential in the management of these fractures, to predict complications and counsel patients and families on care. Tibial tubercle fractures generally have favourable overall outcomes when the correct treatment modality is chosen, with a high rate of union and a 98% return to preinjury activities. This article provides a guide for doctors on the classification and management of these injuries, to ensure that appropriate treatment is given according to current literature and best practice.

Avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity in the pediatric athlete: a systematic review and return to sport analysis.

Apophyseal avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity (AFIT) in pediatric athletes are relatively uncommon injuries with treatment and return to sport (RTS) outcomes being largely unknown. The purpose of this review is to perform a systematic review analyzing RTS and predictors of successful RTS for pediatric athletes sustaining AFIT. Studies reporting on athletes strictly under the age of 18 years sustaining an AFIT with reported RTS status were included. RTS was analyzed based on injury acuity, mechanism, and management, whereas the incidence of any complications was recorded. A total of 33 studies comprising 90 cases of AFIT were identified. The mean age of athletes sustaining injuries was 14.7 + 1.4 years (range, 9-17 years), most commonly participating in soccer ( n = 25), sprinting ( n = 21), and gymnastics ( n = 7). Acute trauma during sporting activities was responsible for 74.4% ( n = 77/90) of injuries. A total of 82% ( n = 74/90) of athletes reported successful RTS at an average of 7.0 + 5.0 months. Athletes undergoing surgery had a significantly higher RTS rate ( n = 36/38, 94.7%) compared with athletes treated nonoperatively (n = 38/52, 73.08%; P = 0.008). When reported, a high rate of misdiagnosis was reported (39.4%, n = 28/71). Complications were reported in 15.8% ( n = 7/38) and 32.7% ( n = 17/52) of athletes managed surgically and conservatively, respectively. As such, the high rate of misdiagnosis and subsequent high rate of complications and poor rate of RTS highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment. Future prospective studies evaluating patient outcomes based on fracture displacement, sporting activity, and management strategies are warranted to better treat pediatric athletes. Study design: Level IV, systematic review.

Hard-Soled Shoe Versus Short Leg Cast for a Fifth Metatarsal Base Avulsion Fracture: A Multicenter, Noninferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether tolerated weight-bearing in a hard-soled shoe was noninferior to the use of a short leg cast for the treatment of a fifth metatarsal base avulsion fracture, as assessed with use of a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) for pain at 6 months after the fracture. METHODS: A total of 145 patients were assessed for eligibility. Of these, 96 patients were randomly assigned to either the hard-soled shoe group (46 patients) or the cast group (50 patients). The primary outcome measure was the mean difference on the 100-mm VAS between groups at 6 months after the fracture. Secondary outcome measures included the time to return to preinjury activity and patient-reported satisfaction. Analysis was performed according to both an intention-to-treat basis (i.e., patients were included in the assessment of their assigned treatment arm, even if they crossed over to the other treatment arm prior to completing the 6-month follow-up) and a per-protocol basis (i.e., patients who completed the 6-month follow-up were analyzed according to the treatment they received). RESULTS: At 6 months after the fracture, the mean 100-mm VAS was 8.6 ± 7.0 mm in the hard-soled shoe group and 9.8 ± 7.3 mm in the cast group (p = 0.41) according to intention-to-treat analysis. The mean difference in 100-mm VAS between the 2 groups was -1.3 mm (95% confidence interval, -4.3 to 1.8 mm). The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval did not exceed the noninferiority margin of 10 mm, indicating that treatment with the hard-soled shoe was noninferior to treatment with the short leg cast. The proportion of patients who reported satisfaction with their treatment was similar between the hard-soled shoe and cast groups (89.5% compared with 87.5%, respectively; p = 0.79), but the time to return to preinjury activity was significantly shorter in the hard-soled shoe group (37.2 ± 14.4 days compared with 43.0 ± 11.1 days in the cast group; p = 0.04). There were no cases of nonunion in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-bearing as tolerated in a hard-soled shoe for a fifth metatarsal base avulsion fracture was noninferior to the use of a short leg cast as assessed with use of a 100-mm VAS at 6 months after the fracture. Patient-reported satisfaction was similar between groups, but the time to return to preinjury activity was shorter in the hard-soled shoe group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.