Spontaneous Healing of a Pediatric Scaphoid Proximal Pole Fracture Nonunion

Neal Rupani; Nicholas Riley; Ian McNab

doi:10.1055/s-0037-1602799

Journal of Wrist Surgery, Table of Contents

J Wrist Surg 2018; 07(01): 081-083
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1602799

Case Report

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Spontaneous Healing of a Pediatric Scaphoid Proximal Pole Fracture Nonunion

Neal Rupani

¹Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

,

Nicholas Riley

¹Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

,

Ian McNab

¹Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background Scaphoid fractures in the pediatric population are rare. The majority of nondisplaced fractures tend to unite; however, there is an increased risk of nonunion in proximal pole fractures. Limited evidence exists in their outcomes, owing to the scarcity of the fracture pattern.

Case Description A 13-year-old boy who presented late after developing a traumatic proximal pole scaphoid fracture developed nonunion. He was treated conservatively owing to it being asymptomatic and developed union at 18 months.

Literature Review No previous case of proximal pole pediatric scaphoid fractures with established nonunion that has developed union with conservative management has been described.

Clinical Relevance The authors highlight a unique case of an established proximal pole scaphoid nonunion in a child progressing to union with nonoperative intervention. Owing to its rarity and difficulty in obtaining research, we recommend consideration of nonoperative management of asymptomatic nondisplaced proximal pole fractures in children.

Keywords

scaphoid fracture - proximal pole - pediatric scaphoid nonunion

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References

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