Operative and nonoperative management of fractures of the carpal scaphoid: five years' experience.

During the period from 1 January 1973 to 31 December 1978, 71 fractures of the carpal scaphoid were treated, 52 conservatively and 19 by primary surgery. For fractures treated conservatively, 12 weeks' immobilization is ample; in our opinion it may be reduced to 8-9 weeks for intracapsular and to 4 weeks for extracapsular fractures. The investigation by Alho et al. proves that immobilization of the elbow joint does not improve results, so that a short circular cast suffices.