Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
You currently have no access to view or download this content. Please log in with your institutional or personal account if you should have access to through either of these
The Bone & Joint Journal Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from The Bone & Joint Journal

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Hand

The anatomy of acute scaphoid fractures

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF PATTERNS



Download PDF

Abstract

Various classifications of scaphoid fractures have been based on plain radiography, but there are difficulties in defining the actual fracture line without an appreciation of the three-dimensional anatomy.

Radiological fracture lines were therefore mapped on transparent methylmethacrylate models of the bone. An analysis of 91 acute fractures showed that 11 were apparently incomplete. The other 80 showed three basic anatomical patterns: transverse through the waist, oblique in the plane of the dorsal sulcus, or of the proximal pole. There was some variation and comminution in these patterns, but no distal fractures of the body were seen.

The interpretation of different radiological projections is discussed. The findings have implications for the management and the assessment of outcome.

For access options please click here