A hospital based assessment of the functional outcome of scaphoid nonunion treated with herbert screw and bone grafting

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study to evaluate the functional outcome of scaphoid nonunion treated with bone grafting and Herbert screw fixation. Methodology: This study was done Department of Orthopaedics, Indira Gandhi institute of medical sciences, Patna, Bihar, India for 3 year, 18 cases were referrals from peripheral centers with a possible diagnosis of scaphoid nonunion after failed conservative treatment. The injuries were classified according to Herbert’s Classification. Clinical examination included the assessment of tenderness, active and passive range of movement in wrist, and grip strengths were also measured. AP, Lateral and oblique view radiographs of wrist were taken preoperatively, the same technique also being used at follow-up examinations. MRI was taken for assessing the fracture morphology and classification of the fracture properly. The diagnosis of radiological union required clear evidence of bony trabeculaetransversing the graft from proximal to the distal pole in standard scaphoid views. Patients were asked to attend for routine review at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 9 weeks and 3 months and any additional visits being scheduled as required. Standard wrist radiographs were taken at each visit and a detailed clinical assessment was recorded.