Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunion with Matti - Russe Technique

Kim, Hee Joong; Chung, Moon Sang; Lee, Jong Seok; Lee, Myung Chul

Abstract

The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone and the nonunion of the scaphoid has continued to represent a challenge to the surgeon who treats hand injuries. The are many treatment modalities and the technique of bone grafting described by Otto Russe in 1960, which is quite appropriately called the Matti-Russe procedure, has become a well-accepted method of treating nonunion of the scaphoid. And the results of this method has been presented by several authors. At the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, From May 1985 to September 1988, ten cases of the scaphoid nonunion had been treated by Matti-Russe procedure and followed up more than 1 year. Fracture healing was observed in all ten cases. Seven patients were totally free of pain both at rest and at excercise and three patients noted moderate pain at excercise. All patient were satisfied with the results of operation and none felt worse.