Percutaneous pinning of symptomatic scaphoid nonunions

A prospective study was conducted to determine whether multiple percutaneous pinning of symptomatic scaphoid nonunions could result in union. All patients had symptomatic nonunions, confirmed by x-ray film, and of sufficient severity to interfere with activities of daily living or military duties. Eighteen patients had pinning with two to four 0.045-inch C-wires guided by image intensification. All nonunions were immobilized in below the elbow thumb spica casts until healed. Thirteen patients, treated by our protocol, had adequate follow-up of an average of 10.3 months. Bony union occurred in 10 (77%) cases, asymptomatic fibrous union occurred in two, and one failed to unite. Complications were few.