Apparent and partial non-union of the scaphoid

Ten patients with radiological non-union of the scaphoid and four patients with suspected non-union were explored surgically. At operation, ten scaphoids looked united; five of these went on to definite union but the other five to non-union (in one case, despite a Herbert screw). In another four patients, there appeared at operation to be partial union; all proceeded to complete union. Even with the scaphoid in front of you, it can be difficult to decide whether it has united or not.