Percutaneous Screw Fixation of Scaphoid Waist Fracture Non-Union Without Bone Grafting

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate results of volar percutaneous headless compression screw fixation without bone grafting in 21 patients with scaphoid waist nonunion fractures. The inclusion criteria in this series were scaphoid waist fracture nonunion with intact cartilaginous envelope, minimal fracture line at nonunion interface, no cyst or sclerosis, no avascular necrosis and normal scapholunate angle without humpback deformity. There were 17 male and 4 female patients with an average age of 23 years (range 16–45 years). All patients had radiographic examinations that included Posteroanterior, lateral, oblique and scaphoid views. Preoperative MRI to assess the cartilaginous shill and vascularity of scaphoid was done. CT scans were performed postoperatively to confirm scaphoid fracture healing. The average clinical follow-up was at 25 months (range 18–35) postoperatively. All fractures united successfully with no additional procedures. The average DASH score (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand) at final follow-up was 8 (range 0–16). Percutaneous fixation for selected scaphoid nonunion can avoid the morbidity of an open approach and bone grafting.