Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunion with Olecranon Bone Graft and Compression Screw

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcome of olecranon bone graft and compression screw for the treatment of nonunion of the Lichtman type I scaphoid. METHOD We evaluated 15 patients of 32 who underwent surgical treatment for nonunion of the Lichtman type I scaphoid with olecranon bone graft and screw compression. RESULTS We obtained 100% consolidation in our sample. The mean flexion of the wrist on the affected side was 68° and 75° on the non-affected side. The average extension was 63° and 72°, respectively. The average grip strength was 35 kgf. This corresponds to 98% of the handgrip strength of the non-affected side, which was 37 kgf. The DASH score averaged 5 points. CONCLUSION We believe that the use of bone graft obtained from the olecranon and secured with cannulated screw is a resolute technique for cases of linear nonunion of the Lichtmann type I scaphoid. It has the advantages of a new anesthesia for removal of the graft and the access is easy, providing a good exposure for removal and good aesthetic results. Level of evidence IV. Case series.