Nonunion of the Capitate due to Delayed Diagnosis of an Isolated Fracture: A Case Report
Yassine Ochen1,2, Benjamin Lucas Emmink1,2, Thomas Jacobus Martinus Kootstra2
1Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Case:
A 14-year-old girl was diagnosed with nonunion of an isolated capitate fracture 5 months after she first presented to the emergency department. The fracture of the capitate was treated by cancellous proximal bone graft and screw fixation. This current case provides details of the surgical fixation method and long-term functional outcome after nonunion of an isolated capitate fracture after a follow-up of 18 months following fixation.
Conclusions:
Persisting localized tenderness over the capitate should be an indication to perform an additional computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan. Nonunion of isolated capitate fractures can be treated by means of open reduction and internal fixation, with autologous bone grafting.
