Corrective osteotomy for symptomatic scaphoid malunion

Abstract

A prospective study aimed at assessment of the outcome of management of symptomatic scaphoid malunion (hump-back deformity). The work included 13 scaphoid malunions in 13 patients. All patients complained of weak painful hand grip and limitation of wrist function. All cases were subjected to a corrective opening wedge scaphoid osteotomy with insertion of a trapezoid-shaped tricortical iliac bone graft. At the final assessment, after a mean follow-up period of 42 months, the achieved results were rated excellent in seven cases, good in four and fair in two according to the scoring system used. Objectively, the mean range of wrist motion and hand grip strength improved from 48% and 47% pre-operatively to 82% and 79% at the final assessment. Radiological parameters including height to length ratio, lateral intrascaphoid angle and dorsal cortical angle were also effectively improved. The intra-operative corrected carpal alignment has almost been maintained at the final follow-up. The procedure did not have serious drawbacks such as non-union or avascular necrosis and perhaps might delay the development of degenerative arthritis of the wrist.