Diagnostics of Scaphoid Fractures With HRpQCT

The scaphoid bone is the most common fractured carpal bone. Scaphoid fractures represent 2-6% of all fractures and occur mainly in young, active patients aged 15 to 40. The scaphoid bone has an essential role in functionality of the wrist, acting as a pivot. Correct treatment of a scaphoid fracture depends on accurate and timely diagnosis, and inadequate treatment can result in avascular necrosis (up to 40%), nonunion (5-21%) and early osteoarthritis (up to 32%) that may seriously impair wrist function. In addition, impaired consolidation of scaphoid fractures results in longer immobilization leading to significant functional and psychosocial impairment thus having considerable socio-economic consequences and negative impact on the quality of life. Current diagnostic pathways can take up to two weeks to diagnose (or exclude) a scaphoid fracture, leading to overtreatment in patients with a suspected scaphoid fracture since only 15 to 30% of suspected scaphoid fractures in the Netherlands annually is found to be an actual fracture. Thus, there is significant room for improvement in the diagnostic pathway of scaphoid fractures.