[Delayed union and pseudarthrosis of the carpal navicular: diagnosis and treatment (author's transl)].

Knowledge of the pathophysiological ways and the changes by roentgenogram after fracture of the carpal navicular makes it possible to get an exact diagnosis of the stage of the fracture. The diagnosis will show the way to the correct treatment. The results in 31 cases with an average follow-up of 15 years are presented. In our series it is pointed out that the real pseudarthrosis can only be healed by operative treatment. All 13 operatively treated pseudarthroses had healed by way of ossification and 11 patients without treatment still suffer from pseudarthroses. 10 of these 11 cases show later arthritic or degenerative changes. In cases of traumatic cysts primary operative treatment is preferred. Severe pre-existing arthritis with sclerosis requires a palliative operation in all cases.