title: Scaphoid malunion.
abstract: Forty-five patients with 46 scaphoid fractures were studied more than 6 months after union by clinical examination and trispiral tomography. Twenty had normal scaphoid alignment with lateral intrascaphoid angles less than 35 degrees; the rest had varying degrees of increased flexion angulation of the scaphoid, ranging from 36 degrees to 60 degrees. Increasing lateral scaphoid angulation, eventually resulting in a "humpback" deformity, was associated with progressively poor clinical and radiographic results. There were satisfactory clinical outcomes in 83% and posttraumatic arthritis in only 22% of those with normal scaphoid anatomy. Those with greater than 45 degrees of lateral intrascaphoid angulation present at the time of union had a satisfactory clinical outcome in 27% and posttraumatic arthritis in 54%. Union alone is an insufficient criterion for success in treating scaphoid fractures.
authors: Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. 55905.
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Amadio
authors: T H
authors: TH
authors: Berquist
authors: D K
authors: DK
authors: Smith
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Ilstrup
authors: W P
authors: WP
authors: Cooney
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Linscheid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray