Use of Arthroscopy for the Treatment of Scaphoid Fractures

Scaphoid fractures can be treated with minimal soft tissue dissection using percutaneous methods. Arthroscopy is a helpful tool when using these percutaneous scaphoid screw insertion techniques. Arthroscopy aids in optimal guidewire positioning, it is invaluable in assessing the quality of fracture reduction, and it allows one to evaluate the vascularity of the fracture fragments as well as the stability of fixation. Arthroscopy also allows assessment of screw length ensuring no radiocarpal penetration with retrograde (volar) insertion as well as checking for well-buried screw threads in the proximal pole with dorsal (antegrade) insertion.