Abstract: Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of conservative vs operative treatment for acute scaphoid fractures.
Material and Methods: This prospective comparative research was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Solan for the period of 1 year, after obtaining the permission of the protocol review committee and institutional ethics committee. Total 50 acute scaphoid fractures (< 3 weeks) irrespective of the location and all scaphoid fractures as a component of other acute injuries including peri-lunate instabilities were included in this research.
Results: During the research period, there were 50 instances of acute scaphoid fracture (< = 3 weeks) 37.5 was the average age at which a patient presented to us in our research.
Road traffic accidents were the most prevalent cause of injury. Sport injuries, workplace injuries, home-related injuries and assault injuries were all common causes of injury. The most frequent site of fracture was the waist, followed by distal oblique fractures, in that order (7 cases). CRIF/ORIF with K-Wire / Herbert screw were used to treat 16 cases, whereas 34 patients were handled conservatively. Every patient's Mayo wrist score was determined as part of the follow-up process. A 12-month follow-up duration was the average. Nine patients had poor outcome (< 65), 3 patients had moderate results (65-79), 14 patients had good results (80-89), and 8 patients had outstanding results (>/=90) out of 34 conservatively treated patients. Patients who underwent surgical management; 2 patients had poor outcome, 3 patients had moderate results, 5 patients had good results and 6 patients had great results. After operational treatment (ORIF/per cutaneous - screw or k-wire fixation), all fractures were successfully repaired. With conservative management, there were eight incidents of non-union.
Conclusion: We've come to the conclusion that each patient's treatment options should be discussed and weighed against one another before a decision is made about undergoing surgery or not.
