Q&A

What is nonunion scaphoid?

What is nonunion scaphoid?

When the scaphoid bone is broken, it may not heal properly because it has a very fragile blood supply. Scaphoid fractures that do not heal are referred to as a scaphoid non-union. Ultimately, scaphoid non-unions can lead to loss of wrist motion and eventual wrist arthritis.

What is a proximal scaphoid fracture?

A scaphoid (navicular) fracture is a break in one of the small bones of the wrist. This type of fracture occurs most often after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture typically include pain and tenderness in the area just below the base of the thumb.

How do you treat a scaphoid fracture?

Distal scaphoid fractures can be treated conservatively. The majority heal uneventfully after four to six weeks of immobilization, depending on fracture type. In general, proximal scaphoid fractures should be treated with internal fixation.

How do you assess scaphoid tenderness?

Tenderness of the scaphoid tubercle (i.e., the physician extends the patient’s wrist with one hand and applies pressure to the tuberosity at the proximal wrist crease with the opposite hand) provides better diagnostic information; this maneuver has a similar sensitivity (87 percent) to that of anatomic snuffbox …

How long do you have to wear a cast after scaphoid surgery?

Scaphoid fractures tend to take longer to heal than other breaks. You may have to wear a cast or splint for up to 6 months. You will visit with your doctor throughout the recovery process, and the doctor may change recommendations based on how you’re healing.

What are the 3 zones of the scaphoid?

Methods. We measured the coronal and sagittal dimensions of the scaphoid in 3 zones: proximal, waist, and distal, in CT scans of wrists with intact scaphoids obtained from 50 live subjects.

Why are scaphoid fractures hard to heal?

The reason scaphoid fractures have a hard time healing is due to the anatomy of the blood supply to the bone. The blood supply is what keeps the bone alive and allows it to heal. Most of the bone is covered with cartilage, the smooth shiny material that forms the joints and allows the bones to move.

How painful is a broken scaphoid?

A scaphoid fracture causes tenderness directly over the bone and the pain may increase when you move your thumb or grip things. Your initial pain may decrease over days or weeks and because there is no significant bruising or swelling they are often mistaken for a sprained wrist.

What are the surgical techniques for scaphoid nonunion?

Three techniques are recom- mended for surgical correction of scaphoid nonunion with bone graft and internal fixation with a screw: volar, dorsal, and dorsoradial. For scaphoid waist nonunion with a vi- able proximal pole, the volar ap- proach is used with interpositional wedge or inlay bone graft and screw fixation.

How is the diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture made?

Scaphoid is most frequently fractured carpal bone, often occurring after a fall onto an outstretched hand Diagnosis can generally be made by dedicated radiographs but CT or MRI may be needed for confirmation Treatment may require a prolonged period of cast immobilization, percutaneous surgical fixation, or microsurgical graft reconstruction

Which is an open dorsal approach for a scaphoid waist fracture?

(OBQ09.56) An open dorsal approach for antegrade screw fixation of a nondisplaced scaphoid waist fracture differs in which of the following ways compared to a percutaneous dorsal approach?

How is the diagnosis of an ankle fracture made?

Diagnosis is made with orthogonal radiographs of the ankle. Treatment can be nonoperative or operative depending on fracture displacement, ankle stability, syndesmosis injury, and patient activity demands. 1. Talofibular sprain or distal fibular avulsion