Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
Changing patterns of scaphoid fractures in adolescents
Objective:
To determine if the presentation of scaphoid fractures in children has changed.
Design:
Case study with a minimum follow-up of 1 year.
Setting:
Outpatient orthopedic clinic in an urban pediatric hospital.
Patients:
Twenty-one adolescents (mean age 13.9 years) with scaphoid fractures and an open distal radial growth plate. Fracture healing was assessed at 2-week intervals until union was achieved.
Interventions:
Immobilization in a short-arm thumb spica cast.
Main Outcome Measures:
Fracture union as defined by the absence of pain and obliteration of the fracture line. Active and passive range of motion of wrist as measured with a goniometer.
Results:
Only 2 of the 21 patients had avulsed fractures. Twelve fractures were located in the middle one-third of the scaphoid. All fractures healed, but two fractures were in a dorsiflexed position. All patients had full, painless range of wrist motion. No arthrosis was present.
Conclusions:
The presentation of scaphoid fractures in adolescents has changed over the years and now resembles the adult pattern. Malunited scaphoid fractures may be seen. Displaced fractures should be reduced.
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