[The influence of ulnar variance on the healing of scaphoid fractures].

The recent literature shows that a negative ulnar variance could pose a risk factor for scaphoid fractures.The aim of the current study was to determine whether the ulnar variance also affects the healing of a scaphoid fracture.2 cohorts of 50 patients each, with either a scaphoid fracture or a non-union, were retrospectively compared. The ulnar variance was measured on the X-rays using the Gelberman method.The average value of the ulnar variance in patients with a scaphoid fracture was -1.0 mm. The negative ulnar variance was measured in 64% of the patients. In the second group with scaphoid non-union, the average value of ulnar variance was -0.8 mm. The negative ulnar variance was similarly high, in 68% of the patients. Our results demonstrated almost identical values in both groups with regard to ulnar variance or its distribution, neutral, negative or positive, without statistical significance.Thus, we can exclude the negative ulnar variance as a risk factor for the development of non-union in cases of scaphoid fractures. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.