Fractures of the tuberosity of the fifth metatarsal are frequent and
with conservative treatment uniformly heal well. In contrast, fractures of
the metatarsal shaft distal to the tuberosity heal slowly. Of 100 fractures
of the tuberosity, almost all were clinically united within three weeks and
roentgenographically united within two months. Of twenty fractures in the
proximal part of the shaft, five required bone grafts and the time elapsed
before roentgenographic and clinical evidence of union was variable and
often prolonged.