A 22-year-old chronic scaphoid non-union treated with arthroscopic percutaneous scaphoid fixation – A case report and review of literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Syed Shumon ◽  
Moin Durrani ◽  
Karthikeyan P. Iyengar ◽  
William Y. C. Loh

Scaphoid fractures are the most common fractures of the carpal bone. Most heal with adequate conservative treatment, but reports of non-union after conservative treatment have been up to 50%. Symptomatic non-union of a scaphoid fracture remains a common disabling problem. It is known that the scaphoid non-union will inevitably progress to the scaphoid non-union advance collapse over time. Surgical management of chronic non-union of scaphoid fracture includes vascularized bone grafting or non-vascularized bone grafting with or without internal fixation. A 36-year-old male presented with a hyperextension injury to the left little finger. An X-ray showed left little finger distal interphalangeal joint dislocation and an incidental 22-year-old chronic non-union scaphoid fracture. To date, incidental discovery of non-union is at the rate of 0.14%. The patient underwent arthroscopic non-vascularized bone grafting with internal fixation after the natural course of the condition was explained to him. He made a good recovery with a complete union of his scaphoid and resolution of his wrist pain. Our case describes the first case of arthroscopic repair of a chronic non-union scaphoid fracture of 22-year duration and demonstrates union of scaphoid fracture and resolution of symptoms can be achieved with good surgical fixation even extremely prolonged chronic non-union.

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 690-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Singisetti ◽  
E. Aldlyami ◽  
A. Middleton

There has been a considerable evolution of screws used for internal fixation of scaphoid fractures. We discuss here, early results of a recently introduced implant Synthes 3.0 mm headless compression screw used for scaphoid fracture fixation. Twenty eight patients with scaphoid fractures (five acute and 23 nonunions) were treated with internal fixation by this non-variable pitch screw over a period of 18 months. All nonunions had pedicle vascularized bone grafting. All five patients with acute scaphoid fracture fixation had radiological healing at a mean of 8 weeks. Fifteen of 23 scaphoid fracture nonunions showed definite signs and a further seven showed probable signs of radiological healing at a mean of 8 months. One nonunion has failed to unite after surgery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe L. Mathoulin ◽  
Margareta Arianni

Treatment of scaphoid fractures has been focused mainly on achieving union, with less attention to restoring normal scaphoid shape and orientation. Malalignment of one carpal bone will disrupt the kinetics of the entire wrist. The dorsal intercalated segment instability deformity associated with scaphoid waist nonunion is a nondissociative form of carpal instability. It has to be reduced in the treatment of scaphoid waist nonunions to avoid kinetic problems that will lead to arthritic changes. Computerized tomography scanning has become indispensable to visualize the humpback deformity clearly. Different techniques may be used to restore the normal anatomy of scaphoid, from non-vascularized graft to arthroscopic bone grafting, and also the option of vascularized bone grafting.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (02) ◽  
pp. 210-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lana Kang

Optimal treatment of acute scaphoid fractures is a necessary goal for many reasons. One is that the scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone. Another is that a missed diagnosis of an acute scaphoid fracture leads to the more challenging situation of a delayed union, non-union and risk for premature radiocarpal arthrosis. Because the scaphoid has an inherent risk for nonunion due to its the tenuous blood supply, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are considered critical to achieving acceptable results and to avoiding the consequences of failed union.


2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. LITTLE ◽  
B. J. BURSTON ◽  
J. HOPKINSON-WOOLLEY ◽  
P. BURGE

Scaphoid fractures predominantly affect young men, in whom the UK smoking prevalence approaches 40%. We examined the association between smoking and failure of non-vascularized bone grafting and screw fixation for scaphoid non-union and delayed union in a retrospective cohort study. Adequate follow-up was obtained in 64 of 87 patients treated (74%). Union was defined as the presence of trabecular continuity on at least two films from a four-view radiographic series. Union was achieved in 47 of 64 cases. Seventeen were smokers. Thirteen of the 17 patients with non-union were smokers (relative risk 3.7; 95% CI: 1.3–10.1, p = 0.005). Proximal pole fractures, long injury-grafting interval and non-compliance were not more frequent in smokers than non-smokers. Smoking is strongly associated with failure of union after screw fixation and non-vascularized bone grafting of the scaphoid. Smokers should be advised to avoid smoking pre-operatively and during the healing period.


Hand Surgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 167-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Ablove ◽  
Samuel S. Abrams

Scaphoid non-union, particularly following internal fixation, is a vexing problem. A retrospective review was conducted analysing the outcome of 4 patients who failed initial open reduction and internal fixation of scaphoid fractures. Three fractures were located in the waist and the fourth in the proximal pole. All patients underwent screw exchange and Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP)-2 sponge placement with no additional bone grafting. Patients were immobilised for 4 weeks and followed with serial radiographs in all cases and CT scans in 3 cases. All patients demonstrated evidence of bony union at an average of 53 days from surgery and ultimately returned to pain-free full activity. There were no complications. BMP-2 and screw exchange yielded a 100% union rate in patients with established scaphoid non-union. While this retrospective study represents a small number of patients and clearly requires further investigation, it presents a promising technique for managing a difficult clinical problem.


2020 ◽  
Vol 09 (02) ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
Pooja Prabhakar ◽  
Lauren Wessel ◽  
Joseph Nguyen ◽  
Jeffrey Stepan ◽  
Michelle Carlson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Nonunion after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of scaphoid fractures is reported in 5 to 30% of cases; however, predictors of nonunion are not clearly defined. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine fracture characteristics and surgical factors which may influence progression to nonunion after scaphoid fracture ORIF. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective case–control study of scaphoid fractures treated by early ORIF between 2003 and 2017. Inclusion criteria were surgical fixation within 6 months from date of injury and postoperative CT with minimum clinical follow-up of 6 months to evaluate healing. Forty-eight patients were included in this study. Nonunion cases were matched by age, sex, and fracture location to patients who progressed to fracture union in the 1:2 ratio. Results This series of 48 patients matched 16 nonunion cases with 32 cases that progressed to union. Fracture location was proximal pole in 15% (7/48) and waist in 85% (41/48). Multivariate regression demonstrated that shorter length of time from injury to initial ORIF and smaller percent of proximal fracture fragment volume were significantly associated with scaphoid nonunion after ORIF (63 vs. 27 days and 34 vs. 40%, respectively). Receiver operating curve analysis revealed that fracture volume below 38% and time from injury to surgery greater than 31 days were associated with nonunion. Conclusion Increased likelihood for nonunion was found when the fracture was treated greater than 31 days from injury and when fracture volume was less than 38% of the entire scaphoid. Level of Evidence This is a Level III, therapeutic study.


2008 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 488-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q Nguyen ◽  
S Chaudhry ◽  
R Sloan ◽  
I Bhoora ◽  
C Willard

INTRODUCTION Up to 40% of scaphoid fractures are missed at initial presentation as clinical examination and plain radiographs are poor at identifying scaphoid fractures immediately after the injury. Avoiding a delay in diagnosis is essential to prevent the risk of non-union and early wrist arthritis. We demonstrate the use of CT scanning for the early confirmation of a scaphoid fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective, chronological review of patients who attended an upper limb fracture clinic from January 2001 to October 2003 in a small district general hospital. We performed a CT scan on all ‘clinical scaphoid’ patients who had negative plain X-ray films. RESULTS Overall, 70% of patients had a CT scan within 1 week of injury and not from date of accident and emergency attendance; 83% of patients had a CT scan within 2 weeks of injury. Of 118 patients identified, 32% had positive findings and 22% of ‘clinical scaphoid’ patients had scaphoid fractures. The proportion of positive findings for an acute scaphoid fracture was 68%. Additional pathologies identified on CT were capitate, triquetral and radial fractures. CONCLUSIONS Our audit shows that it is practical to perform CT on suspicious scaphoid fractures in a small district general hospital. We identified an extremely high false-negative rate for plain X-rays and demonstrate that the appropriate use of CT at initial fracture clinic attendance with ‘clinical scaphoid’ leads to an earlier diagnosis and reduces the need for prolonged immobilisation and repeated clinical review.


2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 444-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. SINGH ◽  
T.R.C. DAVIS ◽  
J.S. DAWSON ◽  
J.A. ONI ◽  
N.D. DOWNING

This study investigated whether the outcome of bone graft and internal fixation surgery for nonunion of scaphoid fractures could be predicted by gadolinium-enhanced MR assessments of proximal fragment vascularity. Sixteen established scaphoid fracture nonunions underwent gadolinium-enhanced MR scanning before surgical treatment with bone grafting and internal fixation. No relationship was found between MR enhancement and the outcome of surgery. Union was achieved in eight of the 12 nonunions with more than 50% enhancement, and three of the four with less than 50% enhancement, of the proximal pole. Furthermore, union was achieved in both of the nonunions which had less than 25% enhancement of the proximal pole. We conclude that enhanced MR assessments of the vascularity of the proximal fragment of a scaphoid fracture nonunion do not accurately predict the outcome of reconstructive surgery.


10.29007/h9w1 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Chu-Kay Mak ◽  
Elvis Chun-Sing Chui ◽  
Wing-Lim Tse ◽  
Pak-Cheong Ho

IntroductionScaphoid non-union results the typical humpback deformity, pronation of the distal fragment, and a bone defect in the non-union site with shortening. Bone grafting, whether open or arthroscopic, relies on fluoroscopic and direct visual assessment of reduction. However, because of the bone defect and irregular geometry, it is difficult to determine the precise width of the bone gap and restore the original bone length, and to correct interfragmentary rotation. Correction of alignment can be performed by computer-assisted planning and intraoperative guidance. The use of computer navigation in guiding reduction in scaphoid non-unions and displaced fractures have not been reported.ObjectiveWe propose a method of anatomical reconstruction in scaphoid non-union by computer-assisted preoperative planning combined with intraoperative computer navigation. This could be done in conjunction with a minimally invasive, arthroscopic bone grafting technique.MethodsA model consisting of a scaphoid bone with a simulated fracture, a forearm model, and an attached patient tracker was used. 2 titanium K-wires were inserted into the distal scaphoid fragment. 3D images were acquired and matched to those from a computed tomography (CT) scan. In an image processing software, the non-union was reduced and pin tracts were planned into the proximal fragment. The K-wires were driven into the proximal fragment under computer navigation. Reduction was assessed by direct measurement.These steps were repeated in a cadaveric upper limb. A scaphoid fracture was created and a patient tracker was inserted into the radial shaft. A post-fixation CT was obtained to assess reduction.Results and DiscussionIn both models, satisfactory alignment was obtained. There were minimal displacement and articular stepping, and scaphoid length was restored with less than 1mm discrepancy. This study demonstrated that an accurate reduction of the scaphoid in non-unions and displaced fractures can be accurately performed using computed navigation and computer-assisted planning. It is the first report on the use of computer navigation in correction of alignment in the wrist.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-510
Author(s):  
Syed Bokhari ◽  
Saifullah Hadi ◽  
Fahad Hossain ◽  
Bernd Ketzer

INTRODUCTION: We report the outcome of using a novel technique of minimally invasive internal fixation and distal radius bone grafting using the Jamishidi Trephine needle and biopsy/graft capture device.METHODS: The technique utilises a 8 mm incision at the distal pole of the scaphoid. The non-union is excavated using the standard Acutrak drill. An 8 gauge Jamshidi trephine needle is used to harvest bone graft from the distal radius which is impacted into the scaphoid and fixed with an Acutrak screw. Fifteen patients were available for retrospective review, 14 male, age mean 29.5 (15-56). Average time from injury to surgery was 167 days (45-72). Fractures classified according to Herbert giving 7 D1 and 8 D2 fractures, 14 waist and 1 proximal pole fractures, all of which had no humpback deformity.RESULTS: Sixty-six percentages of the fractures went onto unite, 4/7 D1 and 6/8 D2 united (p > 0.05). Seventy-five percentages of fracture that had surgery in less than 3 months from time of injury went onto unite, whereas only 63% united in patients who had surgery later than 3 months (p > 0.05). DASH outcome for all patients improved from 86 down to 32 (p < 0.05). With those that united going down from 90 to 6. Those that did not unite went from 81 to 61.CONCLUSION: The Jamshidi bone grafting technique shows comparable results (union rate 66%) to other techniques published in the literature (27-100%) providing the surgeon with an alternative and less demanding procedure than open scaphoid non-union surgery.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document