Patients who used self-adhesive taping (SAT) as treatment for tuberosity fractures of the proximal 5th metatarsal fared just as well as patients who were placed in short-leg casts (SLC) for the same condition, in a recent study from Turkey. Functional outcome was assessed at the time of injury and at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks. While the SAT group had significantly higher Visual-Analogue-Scale Foot and Ankle (VAS-FA) scores at weeks 2 and 4, overall, there was no difference between the groups’ VAS-FA scores at the time of injury, and at 6 and 12 weeks. Furthermore, there was no difference between the groups in the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Scores at 12 weeks. Bone union was achieved within 12 weeks for all patients. The authors concluded that treatment with SAT had satisfactory functional results compared with traditional SLC.
Source: Batibay S, Bayram S, Duman S, Karaytug K, Camur S. Comparison of Self-adhesive Taping and Short-Leg Casting to Treat Tuberosity Fractures of the Proximal Fifth Metatarsal: A Prospective Study. J Amer Pod Med Assoc. 2022;112(1):20-068.
