Abstract
Forty-five patients with 46 scaphoid fractures were studied more than 6 months after union by clinical examination and trispiral tomography. Twenty had normal scaphoid alignment with lateral intrascaphoid angles <35 degrees; the rest had varying degrees of increased flexion angulation of the scaphoid, ranging from 36 degrees to 60 degrees. Increasing lateral scaphoid angulation, eventually resulting in a "humpback" deformity, was associated with progressively poor clinical and radiographic results. There were satisfactory clinical outcomes in 83% and posttraumatic arthritis in only 22% of those with normal scaphoid anatomy. Those with greater than 45 degrees of lateral intrascaphoid angulation present at the time of union had a satisfactory clinical outcome in 27% and posttraumatic arthritis in 54%. Union alone is an insufficient criterion for success in treating scaphoid fractures.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 679-687 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Hand Surgery |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1989 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine