Of 151 ununited fractures of the scaphoid that were treated with iliac
bone grafts and Kirschner-wire fixation through a volar approach, all but
four (97 per cent) healed in an average of seventeen weeks, Three of the
four failures resulted from obvious technical errors. Neither the
preoperative existence of necrosis of the proximal fragment nor the
location of the fracture affected the results. When there was mild
radiocarpal arthritis preoperatively, it did not progress postoperatively;
if there was moderate radiocarpal arthritis preoperatively, progression
seldom was seen if a radial styloidectomy was done. Displaced and unstable
ununited fractures healed even if the deformity was not corrected
completely. The principal benefit of the procedure was relief of pain
rather than an increase either in motion of the wrist or in strength of
grip.