OUTPATIENT PERCUTANEOUS SCREW FIXATION OF THE ACUTE JONES FRACTURE

Nine patients (8 men and 1 woman, ranging in age from 17 to 22 years) who sustained a Jones fracture were treated with percutaneous intramed ullary screw fixation as outpatients. All of the patients were varsity athletes. Seven were Division I scholarship athletes. Beginning at 7 to 10 days after surgery, all patients were allowed weightbearing as t olerated with a CAM walker. Stationary bicycling, swimming, and Stairm aster were allowed at 2 to 3 weeks. The average return to running was 5.5 weeks (range, 3 to 10). The average return to full competition was 8.5 weeks (range, 7 to 12). No perioperative or postoperative complic ations occurred. Average followup was 2.5 years. All fractures attaine d clinical and radiographic union. We believe that outpatient percutan eous intramedullary screw fixation of the acute Jones fracture is a re asonable alternative for those active patients who would have difficul ty with a non-weightbearing cast and crutches or who desire an expedit ious return to activities. Time restraints are particularly critical f or in-season or preseason athletes. With the outpatient screw fixation method, our patient population had predictable healing, and they retu rned to full sports participation within 12 weeks.