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photos by Sydney Foot and Ankle Surgeon Damien Lafferty

Surgical intervention is continuously evolving. Minimally invasive surgery, or keyhole as it is commonly known, has progressed markedly over recent years as this case depicts.

This patient presented with a painful non-union of the base of the 5th metatarsal. Commonly called Jones fracture, however, this actual fracture is at the margins of a Jones fracture and an avulsion fracture. This delineation is important, however, it is another whole topic.

This case utilised various advances in the art and science of surgery. Firstly the fibrous non-union was cleared utilising keyhole burring, then a puncture wound on the lateral calcaneus was carried out to harvest bone marrow aspirate. This was then injected into the non-union gap and finally a single intramedullary screw was inserted through a small incision. Note all three small incisions at two weeks post-op. A fluoroscope was used throughout the case to allow visualisation.

If you have any specific questions or would like to discuss similar cases, feel free to contact me.

Also read:
Minimally invasive forefoot reconstruction
The problems with keyhole bunion surgery
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

(This content is intended for healthcare professionals only)