Scaphoid fractures are commonly treated with a single headless screw. There are different recommendations regarding the optimal location of this screw. The purpose of this study was to compare the location of screws placed for the treatment of acute scaphoid fractures with theoretical and virtual screw locations. 10 patients with acute scaphoid fractures treated surgically and with available pre- and postoperative CT scans were included. The scans were analysed using a 3D software model (Amira Dev 5.3, Mercury Computer Systems, Chelmsford, MA). On the preoperative CTs the displaced fractures were virtually reduced. Possible screw locations for fracture fixation were examined including one along the central third of the proximal fragment (central base screw), the scaphoid longitudinal axis calculated mathematically (PCA screw) and a screw placed perpendicular to the fracture plane (90 degree screw). The angle between the axes and fracture plains were measured. The angle and distance between the actual screw on the postoperative CT and the different virtual screw locations were measured as well.Introduction
Materials and Methods