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Scaphoid fracture in the elderly: a review
Abdulrahman Alsawadi1, Jeremy Stanton
1Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University NHS Foundation Trust, Colchester, UK. abdulrahman.alsawadi@live.co.uk
Summary
Scaphoid fractures are common, but their occurrence in the elderly is understudied. More research is needed to understand these wrist injuries in older populations to prevent missed diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Scaphoid fractures are common orthopaedic injuries.
- Current literature often overlooks the elderly population regarding scaphoid fracture demographics.
- Classical teaching typically excludes older adults from scaphoid fracture incidence studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on scaphoid fracture epidemiology.
- To explore available data on scaphoid fractures specifically in the elderly population.
- To highlight the need for focused research on geriatric scaphoid fractures.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological studies on scaphoid fractures.
- Inclusion of case series and case reports with relevant data on elderly patients.
- Analysis of available data from selected studies.
Main Results:
- Limited epidemiological studies exist for scaphoid fractures in the elderly.
- Case reports and series indicate scaphoid fractures do occur in older individuals, though considered rare.
- Insufficient data prevents definitive conclusions on the incidence or prevalence in this demographic.
Conclusions:
- Scaphoid fractures in the elderly, while infrequent, are documented.
- A significant gap exists in epidemiological research concerning scaphoid fractures in older adults.
- Further research is crucial to improve diagnosis and management of scaphoid fractures in the elderly population.
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