Does correction of carpal malalignment influence the union rate of scaphoid nonunion surgery?

Abstract

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the relation between carpal malalignment correction and radiological union rates in surgery for scaphoid nonunions. A total of 59 scaphoid waist fracture nonunions treated with open reduction and palmar tricortical autograft were divided according to their pre- and postoperative scapholunate (SL) and radiolunate (RL) angles. We found that carpal malalignment failed to correct in 32 of 59 (54.2%) patients despite meticulous surgical technique and placement of an appropriately sized wedge-shaped graft. In total, 43 (72.9%) fractures united at a mean of 4.47 months (range 3–11). Of the 27 fractures with postoperative SL and RL angles within the normal range, 21 united, whereas 22 of the 32 remaining fractures that failed to achieve postoperative angles within the normal range went on to union. The postoperative SL and RL angles were not related to union. Our findings suggest that in scaphoid fracture nonunion surgery, carpal malalignment may not be corrected in a substantial proportion of patients, but such correction may not be essential for bony union. Our findings also show that there is no marked collapse of the scaphoid graft in the early postoperative period.