The role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis of concomitant soft tissue injuries in scaphoid fractures and the effect of concomitant soft tissue injuries and fracture comminution on outcomes: A case-control study

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the role of arthroscopy in the diagnosis of concomitant injuries, to investigate the relationship between comminution and concomitant injuries, and to analyze the effect of concomitant injuries on functional outcomes in acute and subacute scaphoid fracture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and September 2018. A total of 32 acute scaphoid fracture patients (29 males, 3 females; mean age: 30±12 years; range, 18 to 65 years) were retrospectively analyzed. None of them had an obvious ligament injury in the radiological assessment. Functional outcomes were compared between concomitant and non-concomitant injuries and between comminuted and non-comminuted injuries. The percentage of range of motion (ROM), grip, and pinch strength were recorded according to the contralateral extremity to detect the restriction rate. The Mayo Wrist Score (MWS), the Turkish version of the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires were used to evaluate the functional results. Subjective pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The relationship between concomitant injuries and comminution was investigated. RESULTS: There were 13 patients with comminuted fractures. Concomitant injuries were diagnosed in 17 patients. The presence of concomitant injuries was higher in comminuted fractures than in non-comminuted fractures. There was no significant difference between the groups in ROMs. The final follow-up Q-DASH, PRWE, MWS, and VAS scores and the pinch strength of non-comminuted fractures were found to be statistically better than those of comminuted fractures. There were statistically worse Q-DASH, PRWE, MWS, and VAS scores in patients with concomitant injuries. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic scaphoid fracture surgery allows the diagnosis and treatment of concomitant lesions. The functional outcomes of concomitant lesions and comminuted fractures seem to be worse than those of others, while the ROM is comparable.