gms | German Medical Science

7th EFSMA – European Congress of Sports Medicine, 3rd Central European Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Annual Assembly of the German and the Austrian Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Austrian Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

26.-29.10.2011, Salzburg, Austria

Scaphoid fractures in elite Handball athletes

Meeting Abstract

7th EFSMA – European Congress of Sports Medicine, 3rd Central European Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Salzburg, 26.-29.10.2011. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2011. Doc11esm100

doi: 10.3205/11esm100, urn:nbn:de:0183-11esm1005

Published: October 24, 2011

© 2011 Manavis et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective: A scaphoid fracture in athletes is a serious injury that can result to late return to play. Usually occurs after falls onto an outstretched hand or through direct injury [1]. Swelling, limited motion of the involved joint, and tenderness of the snuffbox appear immediately [2]. The diagnosis should be made after x-rays but often CT scanning and MRI are additionally asked to decide the treatment approach [3]. The architecture of the fracture and vascularisation of the scaphoid are the critical points for the doctor to decide which approach should be chosen. The diagnosis should be early and accurate for an early return to the game. Treatment of fractures that are stable and fixed is immobilization by cast but in some cases that early return is desired operative fixation can be used. For non stable fractures operative fixation is used. Operative techniques include internal and percutaneous fixation and in some cases arthroscopy [4]. The treatment plan should be decided from the doctor after a thorough clinical and imaging examination and the need for early return should be also considered4. An on time diagnosis and proper treatment a successful manage of scaphoid fractures can be achieved with few or no consequences to the athlete [4].

Material/Methods: Five handball players with scaphoid fractures were treated surgically. All injuries happened during midseason. All were male athletes and the treatment was surgical.

Results: The return to the game after the surgical fixation averaged 4.2 months.

Conclusion: Early and accurate diagnosis followed by surgical fixation of the fracture allows early return to the game.


References

1.
Greene WB. Essentials of musculoskeletal care. 2d ed. Rosemont, Ill.: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; 2001. p. 252–4.
2.
Gutierrez G. Office management of scaphoid fractures. Phys Sports Med. 1996;24:60–70.
3.
Thorpe AP, Murray AD, Smith FW, Ferguson J. Clinically suspected scaphoid fracture: a comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and bone scintigraphy. Br J Radiol. 1996;69:109–13.
4.
Bond CD, Shin AY, McBride MT, Dao KD. Percutaneous screw fixation or cast immobilization for nondisplaced scaphoid fractures. J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 2001;83-A:483–8.