Treatment of the Scaphoid Fracture

Kim, In; Lee, Seung Koo; Chang, Han; Jeong, Dae Young

Abstract

Twenty-three cases of the scaphoid fracture which were treated at the Department of the Orthopaedic Surgery, Catholic University Medical College during the period of december 1978 to december 1987 were analysed. The main purpose of this study was to clarify the significant factors affecting the union rate of the scaphoid fracture. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. The great majority of 23 cases was male with mean age 31. 2. Ulnar deviated stress oblique view with msking a fist was the most reliable means for diagnosing the fracture, location of fracture and stability of wrist after scaphoid fracture. 3. Union rate was obtained from 88.8% in undisplaced fresh fracture, 85.7% in displaced fresh fracture and 71.4% in old neglected fracture. 4. The union rate and associated factors affecting the prognosis after scaphoid frscture seems to be depended on the location of fracture, the severity of initial displacement of fracture fragments, time elapsed of treatment after fracture and accompanied injuries around the ipsilateral wrist.