Revisiting Union: A New Perspective on an Old Outcome

BACKGROUND: To present the inherent and unique challenges associated with utilizing fracture healing as an outcome measure in foot and ankle orthopedics, specifically the statistical methods used in assessing time to union. METHODS: In a previously published manuscript assessing the effect of delayed weightbearing on time to union following intramedullary (IM) screw fixation of Jones (Zone 2 fifth metatarsal base) fractures, patients were divided into early weightbearing (EWB, n=20) and delayed weightbearing (DWB, n=21) cohorts (within or beyond 2 weeks, respectively). Time to union was determined and compared between the 2 cohorts using cumulative link model analysis, with delayed union (12.5 weeks) defined from established literature. RESULTS: Cumulative link model analysis demonstrated no significant differences in time to union (EWB: 25% by 6th week, 55% by 12th week; DWB: 33% by 6th week, 43% by 12th week; P = .819) or delayed unions (EWB, 20% vs DWB, 24%; P > .999). CONCLUSION: Our analysis using cumulative link models, or ordinal regression, in the statistical analysis of time to union, determined that that early weightbearing following IM screw fixation in Jones fractures appeared to be safe without delaying fracture healing. This statistical approach can be considered when describing a continuous outcome captured by infrequent observations.