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Introduction: In treatment of scaphoid non-union bone healing requires beside vital tissue and stability, enduring compression and a good interface between the graft and scaphoid fragments. While fixation techniques show a good primary stability, they reduce sintering and thus compression of fragments in the long term. Therefore, a modified technique optimising the cancellous interface between graft and scaphoid but still providing enough stability without fixating implants should be evaluated., Materials and Methods: A corticocancellous bone graft from iliac crest was shaped ellipsoid and was implanted in a modified Matti-Russe press fit-technique. Thereby the cancellous side contacts the scaphoid fragments. In a retrospective design, we reviewed 52 patients with documented non-unions of the scaphoid. The average length of follow-up was 8.6 months. Range-of-motion, pain and grip-strength was measured and compared with contralateral wrist. Radiological assessment included beside X-rays CT scans. Results were further measured by DASH score and Mayo wrist score., Results: The average postoperative pain was 0.9 based on NRS-Score. The mean range-of-motion was satisfactory with a dorsal-palmar arch of 115.3°, radial-ulnar: 48.2° and pro-supination: 171.3°. Mayo Wrist Score showed with 91.2 out of 100 an excellent result. The analysis of DASH score revealed a mild subjective constriction (9.2/100). Regarding roentgenographic findings complete union was confirmed in 44 of the 52 patients (84.6%). Patients with non-union were significantly older than patients with union (p < 0.05). Grip-strength on average was equal to that of the uninjured hand although in failure cases a slightly reduced grip-strength was seen., Conclusions: The modified technique of Matti-Russe provided a good contact of the cancellous part of the bone graft to the scaphoid in grafting a scaphoid pseudarthrosis with a high healing rate. However, since age, previous failed surgery and a proximal fracture line are the most important handicaps for bone healing in this study, for patients at risk gadolinium-enhanced MRI scan could be helpful to estimate vascularisation preoperatively. In cases of poor vitality, vascularised bone grafting should be considered.

Fractures of the distal radius in elderly patients increasingly contribute to the workload in emergency departments worldwide. There is still no consensus about the best treatment option, e. g. closed reduction and cast stabilization, percutaneous pinning, external fixation or open reduction and internal fixation with volar locking plates (ORIF). In addition, the influence of pharmacological antiosteoporotic treatment (e. g. bisphosphonates) is unclear. In this overview five comparative studies were analyzed, which had been identified in a previous systematic review. The evaluation included 3 cohort studies and 2 randomized trials enrolling a total of 515 patients. A clinical or statistical advantage of ORIF over conservative treatment with respect to DASH scores 12 months after the index fracture event could not be demonstrated with a mean difference of 0.25 (95 % confidence interval CI -0.57-1.07). According to current best scientific evidence from preclinical and clinical investigations, antiosteoporotic medication does not have an unfavorable influence on fracture healing and should be continued due to its proven effectiveness in reducing subsequent osteoporotic fractures. Following distal radius fractures in elderly patients with clinical risk factors, an osteoporosis screening should be routine practice and a specific therapy should be initiated if the fracture risk is increased.

Background: In this study 56 dorsal phalangeal fractures of the distal segment were classified regarding morphological criteria., Material and Methods: Clinical and radiological results after 4 months were analyzed. Fractures including subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint occurred rarely (n=3) and were treated by surgery. Fractures without subluxation had either a triangle-shaped fragment (n=40) or a fragment similar to a hunter's hat (n=9). Furthermore, there were two fractures with a tiny bony avulsion and two fractures with more radial or ulnar-oriented fragments. The triangle and hunter's hat type fractures were treated either by splinting (n=20) or by open reduction and stabilization with screws and wires (n=29)., Results: Clinical outcome was similar in both groups. In 12 out of the 20 fractures treated by splinting a stepping of the joint surface had to be tolerated. Initially only 8 out of 20 fractures showed a stepping of the joint surface. The fractures treated by surgery showed a better radiological outcome., Conclusions: Initially 27 fractures showed a stepping in the joint line but after surgical treatment only 9 fractures still presented a stepping. The remaining four fractures were successfully treated by splinting.

Purpose: In the treatment of small bone fractures, such as the scaphoid bone, conventional navigation is limited by its dependence on fixed reference arrays. We introduce a new technique based on reference markers in surgical instruments. If visible on a standard fluoroscopic image, static trajectories are overlaid in this image to guide implant insertions. Fixed markers are not required. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible advantages of the new guidance technique., Methods: For this study, 20 artificial hand specimens were randomized into two groups and blinded with polyurethane foam: 10 were treated conventionally and 10 were image guided. We used a clip containing radiopaque markers, which was detected by the system's workstation. A static trajectory was displayed consecutively in the fluoroscopic image to serve as an aiming device. Secondly, we included 3 patients with fractures of the scaphoid bone to test the integrability of this novel method in a clinical setting., Results: In the experimental setup, trajectory guidance reduced the duration of surgery and radiation exposure. Furthermore, it reduced the perforation rate. Accuracy was not improved by the new technique. For clinical cases, the system was integrated into the accommodated surgical workflow and rated as very helpful by users., Conclusion: The system helped reduce the misplacement rate and the emission of radiation. The main limitations were that trajectories were not displayed in real time and could only be shown in a single fluoroscopic image. However, the system is simple and can be easily integrated into the surgical workflow.

In a prospective study a total of 49 fractures in 47 patients were treated with open reduction and palmar plate osteosynthesis. The results were evaluated radiologically, clinically and with the disability of arm-shoulder-hand (DASH) score. The emphasis was on early postoperative results. The patients consisted of 11 men and 36 women aged 21–85 years old. Very good or good results were achieved in 79.6% of the patients, a fair result in 16.3% and a poor result in 4.1% according to the Lidström criteria. In 65.9% of cases very good or good functional results were achieved, in 22.7% fair and in 11.4% only poor results. The DASH score showed high patient satisfaction in 70.2%, moderate satisfaction in 25.5% and only little satisfaction in 4.3% of patients. Complications occurred in 14.3% of patients and the average duration of sick leave was 45.8 days. Open reduction of distal radius fractures using palmar plates with multi-axial angular stability shows good radiological and functional results even shortly after the operation.