Carpal scaphoid non-union treatment: a retrospective trial comparing simple retrograde percutaneous screw fixation versus percutaneous screw fixation plus pulsed electromagnetic fields (Physiostim ® ).

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective comparative study was to assess whether a complementary treatment by pulsed electromagnetic field could increase the bone-healing rate of scaphoid non-union without SNAC (scaphoid non-union advanced collapse) treated by retrograde percutaneous screw fixation.

CASE DESCRIPTION: Eighteen patients with scaphoid non-union were included in this retrospective study. The group 1 was made of nine cases (seven stage IIA and two stage IIB) of scaphoid non-union treated by retrograde percutaneous screw fixation and pulsed electromagnetic fields (Physiostim® ). The group 2 was made of nine cases (six stage IIA and three stage IIB) treated by simple retrograde percutaneous screw fixation.

RESULTS: With a 10-month follow-up in group 1 and a 9.5-month follow-up in group 2, there were three cases of non-union in group 1 and two cases in group 2. Regarding the type of non-union, there was one case among the stage IIB and four cases among the stage IIA.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of the study did not show any interest in the use of pulsed electromagnetic field for the treatment of carpal scaphoid non-union. They should be dropped.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.