Fixation of Ultrasmall Proximal Pole Scaphoid Fractures Using Bioabsorbable Osteochondral Fixation Nails

Abstract

Surgical treatment of ultrasmall proximal pole scaphoid fractures poses a number of challenges. The fragment may be too small to fix with conventional headless screw fixation owing to the high risk of fragmentation upon insertion. However, excision of the fragment risks compromising the scapholunate ligament complex and also exposes the radioscaphoid joint to potential degenerative changes. Under these circumstances, we describe the use of bioabsorbable osteochondral fixation nails that allows stable low-profile fixation while minimizing the risk of fracturing the proximal pole.

Keywords: Scaphoid fracture; nonunion; osteochondral fracture; proximal pole; smartnail.