BET 2: Tubular bandage, plaster or aircast boot for avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal?
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of tubular bandage, walking boot, and short leg plaster cast in treating avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal base.
Results Summary
The study found marginal benefit of a walking boot over a short plaster cast during recovery but no difference in final outcomes. No evidence was available comparing tubular bandage and walking boot.
Population
Patients with avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
walking boot | increase | recovery | patients with avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal | - | marginal benefit | #1 |
walking boot | no change | final outcome | patients with avulsion fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal | - | no benefit | #2 |
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.