title: Operative and nonoperative management of fractures of the carpal scaphoid: five years' experience.
abstract: During the period from 1 January 1973 to 31 December 1978, 71 fractures of the carpal scaphoid were treated, 52 conservatively and 19 by primary surgery. For fractures treated conservatively, 12 weeks' immobilization is ample; in our opinion it may be reduced to 8-9 weeks for intracapsular and to 4 weeks for extracapsular fractures. The investigation by Alho et al. proves that immobilization of the elbow joint does not improve results, so that a short circular cast suffices.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002348:Carpal Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008875:Middle Aged; D013165:Splints