Ipsilateral fractures of the scaphoid and radius

From 1985 to 1990, six patients were treated for ipsilateral fractures of the scaphoid and radius. All these injuries resulted from falls from a substantial height, with multiple injuries occurring in all patients. Two of the patients had minimally displaced fractures (1.0 mm), whereas the other four patients had moderately displaced scaphoid fractures (2.0 mm). The treatment for fracture of the distal radius was dependent on the fracture type, but all the scaphoid fractures were treated with internal fixation. All the fractures united, with the radial fractures healing in 6 weeks and the scaphoid fractures healing in an average of 13 weeks. The follow-up time averaged 2.9 years (range, 1.0 to 4.6 years). Internal fixation of the scaphoid in these combined injuries allowed for earlier and more aggressive therapy to maximize wrist and forearm motion.