Fractures of the Carpal Bones

Among the fractures of the wrist most interest attaches to those of the scaphoid bone, in respect to frequency as well as prognosis.In most clinics the treatment of recent scaphoid fractures is a circular plaster cast, from the distal joint of the thumb to the elbow (Bzrnndl 1956, Bohler 1953, Wafson-Joncs 1958), but occasionally mention is made of a more active treatment, in the form of osteosynthesis (Spotoft 1963) or cxtcnsion of the plaster cast beyond the elbow (Grcyersen 1965, Verdan 1960).On this background w~e felt that it would bc of interest to submit a series of conservatively treated recent carpal fractures from the Surgical Out-patient Department of the University Hospital, Copenhagen, from the pcriod 1051-1960.