The Arizona Brace is a good orthosis for this condition if it is designed to
limit stress on the 5th metatarsal. It also may be overkill depending on
the patient. Stress can also be reduced by the use of a well designed FO
and rocker bottom shoes.
Incidentally, after having a DPM insist on my using an Arizona Brace for a
particular patient, I sent the cast off for them to fabricate one. What I
got back was simply an ankle lacer with reinforcement built in, not at all
unlike what we’ve made for many patients in house. I still don’t know what
is special about this design.
Harold Anderson, CO
> —–Original Message—–
> From: Charles L. Eral [SMTP:[email protected]]
> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 1999 11:47 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: About 5th metatarsal stress fracture orthosis
>
> At 09:26 PM 2/24/99 +0900, Dr. Sun G. Chung M.D. wrote:
> >Hello OandP-Lers,
> >
> >I would like to know if you have used any brace for the healing phase of
> 5th metatarsal(MT) stress fracture. I met a junior basketball player who
> got
> repeated 5th metatarsal(MT) stress fracture with one year interval. He is
> well healing after cast immobilization. But as you know the 5th MT stress
> fracture is notorious for their nonunion or refracture, he wants some
> supportive measure to prevent repeated fracture.
> >
> >Do you have any suggestion?
> >
> >Thank you in advance.
> >
> >Sun G. Chung M.D.
> >
>
>
>
>
> Dr. Sun G. Chung,
>
> There was a brace introduced at the 66th annual meeting of American
> Academy
> of Orthopaedic Surgeons, February the 5th in Anaheim, California. The
> complete long study of the Arizona Brace is on the internet web site
> http://www.customfootwear.com/AZpaper.html
> It was also introduced at 2nd Combined meeting of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
> in
> Venice,
> Italy in September 1998. I’ve heard of some really good reports, like 90%
> success rate.
> Check it out. It says it is also good for nonoperative treatment of
> posterior tibial tendinitis.
>
> (I copied this of the web site:)
>
> 1.Function:
> 1.To stabilize ankle area, talocalcaneal, midtarsal, and subtalar
> joints.
> 2.To create medial and lateral stability.
> 2.Conditions:
> 1.Tibialis tendinitis (posterior/anterior).
> 2.Ankle arthritis, and DJD (Degenerate Joint Disease. )
> 3.Ankle, subtalar, or midtarsal trauma.
> 4.Talocalcaneal varus or valgus.
> 5.Severe pronation, pes planus.
>
> Being a Certified Pedorthist & Orthotist I know the 5th MT stress fracture
> is notorious for their nonunion, and can be a big problem. I would be
> interested in your replies. Would you be good enough to compile the
> answers,
> and send them over the Orthotics and Prosthetics List Service.
>
> Thank You,
>
> Charles L. Eral, Orthotist, C.Ped.
