Delayed and Nonunion of the Carpal Scaphoid Fractrue Treated with Herbert Screw

Kim, Ik Dong; Lee, Soo Young; Kim, Poong Taek; Park, Byung Chul; Ahn, Myun Jung

Abstract

14 Cases of delayed and nonunion of the carpal scaphoid fractures who were treated at Department of the Orthopedic Surgery, College of medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu, Korea during the period of April, 1984. to March, 1986 were analysed. The results were as follows; l. Of the total 14 cases, there were 13 male and 1 female patients. This result showed marked predominence of right hand (10 cases) over the left and most commonly occured between 21 and 40 of age (11 case). 2. The site of fracture were confined to the middle one third in 12 cases (85.7%), the fracture lines were transverse in 6 cases (42.9%). 3. In 14 cases, union was obtained from 13 cases (92.9%) that were treated with Herbert screw,from 2 cases of delyed union after 2.3 months and from 12 cases of nonunion after 4.3 months. 4. Postoperatve cast immobilization was done for 2 weeks in the cases that were treated with Herbert screw and for 4 weeks in the cases that were treated with Herbert screw and bone graft. 5. The results of treatment were excellent in 7 cases (50%), good in 6 cases (42.9%) and fair in 1 case so that all of 14 patient could treturn to their work.