Does computerized tomography help to shorten the immobilization period in the plaster treatment of nondisplaced scaphoid fractures?

Abstract

There are conflicting results regarding the duration of the plaster treatment of nondisplaced scaphoid fractures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the healing process and to determine the role of computed tomography (CT) on shortening the duration of plaster treatment of nondisplaced scaphoid fractures. A total of 42 patients diagnosed with nondisplaced scaphoid fractures between January 2012 and January 2014 were investigated. Fractures were classified according to anatomical locations and displacement degree. Fractures were short-arm plastered enclosing thumb after non-displacement was confirmed by CT. Radiological evaluation was performed using two-planned radiographs at 2-week intervals. Patients were divided into two groups as union and non-union according to their bone healing in the CT scan at week 4 of the fracture. The cast was removed in the union group. Regarding anatomical location, 8 patients were classified as distal, 30 were waist region, and 4 were proximal fractures. Among 42 patients with a mean age of 31.95±13.11 years, the union was determined in 41 patients, and the plasters were removed at the end of 4 weeks. Patients were divided into two groups, non-union and union, in terms of fracture healing at the end of 4 weeks. There were highly statistically significant differences between the groups regarding translation degree, contact surface rates, and displacement status (p=0.001, p=0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). It has been shown that determination of high union rates in CT accomplishes the non-requirement of long-term plaster treatment in patients with nondisplaced scaphoid fractures after follow-up with plasters.