AANA19 Foot & Ankle Access Pass-Comparison of the Rate of Non-union or Delayed Union in Fifth Metatarsal Fractures Receiving Anti-Inflammatory Medications-Dr. Brandon Barnds, M.D.

Comparison of the Rate of Non-union or Delayed Union in Fifth Metatarsal Fractures Receiving Anti-Inflammatory Medications-Dr. Brandon Barnds, M.D.

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Video Summary

This study retrospectively analyzed over 10,000 fifth metatarsal fracture patients to assess if outpatient NSAID prescriptions affect non-union or delayed union rates. Using a large orthopedic insurance database, patients receiving NSAIDs showed a slightly higher rate (1.1%) of delayed open reduction internal fixation or non-union repair compared to non-NSAID patients (0.5%). While results suggest NSAIDs may impair fracture healing in these high-risk fractures, limitations include retrospective design, database coding issues, inability to isolate fracture subtypes, and unaccounted over-the-counter NSAID use. The study calls for prospective research to clarify NSAID effects on fracture repair.

Keywords

fifth metatarsal fracture

NSAIDs

non-union

delayed union

fracture healing