Consequences of late immobilization of scaphoid fractures

In order to determine the relationship between delay before immobilization and the development of non-union or delayed union, 285 fractures of the scaphoid have been analysed from records and radiographs. 16 non-unions and 25 of 27 fractures with delayed union were found in proximal pole or waist fractures in adults, which were analysed separately. No increment in the time to bony union or in the incidence of non-union was found following a delay of immobilization of less than four weeks, but when the delay exceeded four weeks, most fractures had healing complications.