Abstract: Objective To analysis the value of X-ray examination in anteroposterior and lateral view of ankle and anteroposterior and oblique view of foot in the diagnosis of the fracture of the fifth metatarsal base, and optimize the inspection process. Methods A total of 96 patients with the fracture of the fifth metatarsal base were included in this study, and the X-ray examination was performed in the anteroposterior and lateral view of ankle and anteroposterior and oblique view of foot at the same time. The display of the fracture of the fifth metatarsal base in all 4 projections and the Mehlhorn classifications were analyzed. Results In all 96 patients, 86 patients showed the fracture in the anteroposterior view of ankle joint, 90 patients showed the fracture in the lateral view of ankle joint, 65 patients in the anteroposterior view of foot, and 83 patients showed the fracture in the oblique view of foot. The fracture rates of ankle joint in anteroposterior and lateral view were higher than those in the anteroposterior and oblique view of foot (91.7% vs. 77.1%, χ2=15.486, P＜0.01). There were no significant differences in fracture rates between the anteroposterior and lateral view of ankle joint (89.6% vs. 90.0%, 2χ =1.091, P＞0.05). For Mehlhorn classifications, the anteroposterior and lateral view of ankle joint showed better than those of the anteroposterior and oblique view of foot in type Ⅰand Ⅲ (typeⅠ: 92.9% vs. 71.4%, χ2=6.574; type Ⅲ: 93.9% vs. 77.3%, χ2=7.439, P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in typeⅡ between the both (89.3% vs.79.8%, χ2=2.912, P＞ 0.05). There was no significant difference in typeⅠand typeⅡ between the anteroposterior and lateral view of ankle (typeⅠ: 100.0% vs. 85.7%，χ2=3.231, typeⅡ: 85.7% vs. 92.9%, χ2=2.912, P＞0.05），but there was significant difference in type Ⅲ (87.9% vs. 100.0%, χ2=4.258, P＜0.05). Conclusion The anteroposterior and lateral view of ankle joint can show the fracture of the fifth metatarsal base clearly, and it is suggested anteroposterior and lateral view of ankle should be taken Xray examination for patients with swelling and pain at ankle joint.

Key words: radiography, ankle joint, fracture of the fifth metatarsal, radiographic method