The scaphoid is vitally important for the proper mechanics of wrist function. Fracture of the scaphoid bone is the most common carpal fracture. Among all wrist injuries the incidence of scaphoid fracture is second only to fractures of the distal radius. Scaphoid fractures are significant because a delay in diagnosis can lead to a variety of adverse outcomes that include nonunion, delayed union,...

Introduction/Methods: Scaphoid fractures are the most common fractures of the carpal bones of the wrist, and represent 11% of all fractures of the upper extremity and between 70% and 80% of all carpal fractures. In most cases, the mechanism of injury is a fall with the wrist extended. Although conservative treatment of stable fractures of the carpal scaphoid associated with a high rate of conso...

A rare injury of the wrist, scapho-capitate fracture syndrome, in a young patient is reported. Despite early recognition of the injury and surgical intervention, the scaphoid fracture did not unite and another attempt to achieve union with bone grafting and internal fixation also failed. The wrist continued to be painful and stiff. Radiographs of the wrist, 18 months after the injury, showed no...

BACKGROUND Scaphoid fractures are commonly seen in orthopedic practice. An organized and thoughtful approach to diagnosis and treatment can facilitate good outcomes. However, despite optimal treatment, complications may ensue. In the setting of nonunion or an avascular proximal pole, vascularized bone grafting may be needed. METHODS AND RESULTS In this article we review the literature regardi...

Nonunion can occur relatively frequently after scaphoid fracture and appears to be associated with severity of injury. There have been a number of techniques described for bone grafting with or without screw fixation to facilitate fracture healing. However, even with operative fixation of scaphoid fractures with bone grafting nonunion or malunion rates of 5 to 10 percent are still reported. Thi...

Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the scaphoid is a rare condition. A review of the literature shows a variety of conditions labelled as spontaneous avascular necrosis or Preiser's disease. In this paper we report on a study of eight patients with idiopathic avascular necrosis affecting only the proximal pole of the scaphoid. Seven of these patients had positive ulnar variance. The possible aeti...

Aims The aim of the Scaphoid Waist Internal Fixation for Fractures Trial (SWIFFT) was to determine optimal treatment adults with a bicortical undisplaced or minimally displaced fracture waist scaphoid, comparing early surgical fixation initial cast immobilization, immediate being offered patients nonunion. Methods A cost-effectiveness analysis conducted assess relative merits these forms treatm...

The wrist represents a complex anatomic region in the human extremity and a highly functional and intricate structural joint. Most perilunate injuries result from a staged disruption of the ligamentous structures. Forces may be directed through the carpal bones themselves resulting in a fracture. Early anatomic reduction of any carpal malalignment is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, eve...

BACKGROUND Fracture of the scaphoid bone can be treated with cast immobilization or surgery. Historically, surgery was reserved for displaced fractures. However, because weeks of cast immobilization may result in stiffness, loss of strength, loss of bone density and an inability to work or participate in recreational activities for a prolonged period, operative treatment of non-displaced fractu...

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to identify clinical tests for scaphoid fractures and, using a higher order analysis, to determine their diagnostic accuracy. METHODS A literature review of the databases CINAHL, Embase, Medline and PUBMED from 1980 to September 30, 2011 was conducted to obtain applicable literature on clinical tests used in identifying scaphoid fractures. Methodolog...