Nonunion of the carpal scaphoid: the Russe procedure

Symptomatic carpal scaphoid nonunion was treated by the volar bone graft technique described by Russe in 31 patients reviewed. The technique was successful in attaining union in 27 wrists; nonunion persisted in 4 wrists. The presence of n unstable nonunion did not seem to affect the end result if the small necrotic proximal pole fracture is excluded. Obviously this last fracture should be treated by other methods.