SCAPHOID OSTEOCARTILAGINOUS GRAFTS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Purpose: We report our experience with costal osteochondral autografts of the scaphoid for the treatment of radioscaphoid osteoarthritis complicating chronic scapholunate non-union or dissociation.Material and methods: The technique was used for nine patients from 1994 to 2001 (eight men and one woman, mean age 45 years, age range 26–62). The proximal two-thirds of the scaphoid were resected. An osteocartilaginous graft was harvested from the ninth rib and after remodelling to the scaphoid cavity was fixed to the base of the scaphoid with a Kirshner wire.Results: Mean follow-up was 2.5 years. Pain improved significantly in all patients. Force was 80% on average compared with the healthy side. Mean wrist motion in flexion and extension was 91° (70–150°).Conclusion: This technique has provided encouraging preliminary results in terms of restored force and wrist motion. It is an interesting alternative to conventional techniques.