Management of scaphoid fractures: a review and update

The scaphoid is the most commonly injured carpal bone. Almost half of all bony wrist injuries involve the scaphoid. Treatment is controversial and, when inadequate, can result in a painful nonunion or degenerative radiocarpal arthritis. Fracture of the scaphoid occurs most often in young adult men, with a peak incidence between the ages of 15 and 30 years. The scaphoid is less susceptible to fracture during the phase when it is mostly cartilaginous, thus making scaphoid fracture rare in childhood. In this article, we review current treatment of fracture of the scaphoid and examine controversial topics in its management.