BACKGROUND: Avulsion fractures of the scaphoid tubercle (Herbert type A1) are rare. Recommendations in the literature focus on a four to six week plaster immobilization including the thumb. Surgery is recommended in case of additional injuries to the carpus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective investigation including a 36 month period we reviewed acute fractures of the scaphoid and avulsion fractures of the scaphoid tubercle. RESULTS: We found 81 acute scaphoid fractures, four of them (4.9 %) were isolated tuberculum avulsions. Three cases were extra-, one case an intraarticular fracture. The first were treated conservatively, the last with a percutaneous screw. CONCLUSIONS: Following our own experiences with those rare injuries we recommend a differentiation of the fracture type into extraarticular injuries where conservative treatment should still be performed and intraarticular fractures where percutaneous screw osteosynthesis should be discussed.
BACKGROUND:Avulsion fractures of the scaphoid tubercle (Herbert type A1) are rare. Recommendations in the literature focus on a four to six week plaster immobilization including the thumb. Surgery is recommended in case of additional injuries to the carpus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective investigation including a 36 month period we reviewed acute fractures of the scaphoid and avulsion fractures of the scaphoid tubercle. RESULTS: We found 81 acute scaphoid fractures, four of them (4.9 %) were isolated tuberculum avulsions. Three cases were extra-, one case an intraarticular fracture. The first were treated conservatively, the last with a percutaneous screw. CONCLUSIONS: Following our own experiences with those rare injuries we recommend a differentiation of the fracture type into extraarticular injuries where conservative treatment should still be performed and intraarticular fractures where percutaneous screw osteosynthesis should be discussed.