[Conservative treatment of scaphoid bone fracture of the wrist]

Abstract

The status of fractures of the scaphoid bone in clinical statistics on fractures depends on the age of the patients, the population treated in a particular clinic, and the number of nearby sports fields. Most frequently, fractures of the scaphoid bone occur as a result of falling on an outstretched hand while playing soccer. This kind of injury is typical of people between 15 and 45 years of age. Of the scaphoid bone fractures treated in our outpatient clinic, 77.4% were in this age group. Younger people with this injury mainly suffer from fractures distant from the body of the radius (or from forearm fractures near the wrist). In comparison, for people over 45 years of age, fractures of the radius due to over-extension are more typical. Since most injuries took place during sports activities, mainly males had fractures of the scaphoid bone (according to our statistics, 86.2% of these men were between 15 and 45 years of age). In the future, the distribution among sexes will probably be different due to the increasing number of girls and women who now play soccer. According to the literature, a fresh fracture of the scaphoid should first be treated conservatively. However, the type and duration of immobilization vary widely. The results published indicate that a rate of 4% - 5% can be expected. We have checked the therapy results of the surgical outpatient clinic in Bergmannsheil for 1960-1983. Of the 214 patients with fresh scaphoid bone fractures and conservative treatment, 138 had a follow-up examination. Among them were two instances of pseudoarthrosis (1.45%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)