[Clinical problems in fracture of the scaphoid bone]

The following specific characteristics of injury cause the problems that occur in scaphoid bone fractures: 1. Mechanisms of accident: There are only a few typical circumstances that cause the injury: as there are false winding of a shrankshaft handle or a fall on the extended hand. In all the other cases the accident is neither realized by the injured person himself or by the physician. As a consequence the possibility of injury of the scaphoid bone is not taken into consideration. 2.

In a stable fracture the symptoms do not appear directly but may be clearly delayed or they may disappear very quickly after a short period of intensity, so that the accident is no longer taken any notice of. 3. Radiodiagnostics: Because of the anatomic position of the scaphoid bone any X-raying from a lateral view is difficult because the scaphoid is covered by other carpal bones. In case of an undisplaced fracture you often only see very fine fracture lines, which are only to be seen from a direct orthograde view. It is necessary to X-ray the carpus in different positions. 4.

If there is the slightest chance of a scaphoid bone fracture an intensive therapy must be directly started. An immobilisation for a too short period may lead to a delayed union and end in a pseudarthrosis. This is also the case if you start the therapy too late. Then the fracture line is already filled up by fibrous tissue. The latest period of time to begin a conservative treatment is six to eight weeks after the day of the accident.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)