[Treatment for non-union scaphoid fractures with headless cannulated screws and distal radius cancellous autograft].

Abstract

Introduction: scaphoid fractures comprise 50-80% of the fractures of the carpal bones. Ten percent of the scaphoid fractures evolve to non-union and show degenerative changes in the carpus in 75-97% at five years and in 100% at 10 years. The objective of this work was to evaluate the rate and time to union in patients with diagnosis of scaphoid non-union without fragmentation of the proximal pole after treatment with two cannulated headless screws and distal radius cancellous autograft.

Material and methods: case series with short-term follow-up of four patients with scaphoid non-union without fragmentation of the proximal pole treated by internal fixation using two cannulated headless screws and distal radius cancellous bone autograft. All received the same postoperative treatment and radiographic control was taken as soon as the patient experienced clinical resolution.

Results: the radiographic union rate was 100% with an average time to union of 11.25 ± 3.4 weeks. There were no complications and revision surgery was not necessary.

Conclusion: the results of the use of two cannulated headless screws and distal radius cancellous bone autograft endorses the technique as an effective and safe option for the treatment of scaphoid non-union without fragmentation of the proximal pole.