The Conservative Treatment of the Pseudarthrosis of the os Naviculare of the Hand

Abstract

SUMMARY A report is made of experience with the conservative treatment of old scaphoid fractures and pseudarthroses. The bandaging technique practised for this is of decisive importance and consists of a non-upholstered plaster cast enclosing all the fingers, so that complete immobilisation of the fragments is achieved. On average Ibis is maintained for 3–4½ months. Even with unfavourable initial conditions such as a small ulnar fragment healing is obtained. Cases with severe, deforming articular metamorphoses, considerable unevenness of the fracture surfaces and dislocation of the fragments are not suited to conservative therapy.