Scaphoid excision with lunatocapitate fusion for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion with advanced collapsed wrist

Purpose To investigate the union rate after lunatocapitate arthrodesis for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) wrists and to evaluate the clinical results of this technique. Methods We conducted a prospective study between January 2014 and July 2017. Fifteen males with painful stage III SNAC wrists (average age, 32 years, range, 20-37 years; average follow-up time, 25.2 months, range, 20-36 months) underwent scaphoid excision and lunatocapitate fusion. Lunatocapitate fusions were fixed with headless Herbert screws with K-wire fixation (retrograde direction). Radiographs, wrist range of motion, and Mayo wrist score were examined. Results All patients achieved radiographic and clinical union after lunatocapitate fusion during follow-up (average 10 months post-operatively). The flexion-extension arc was 70 degrees, and the average Mayo wrist score was 74.3 points (eight with excellent, four with good, three with satisfactory, and one with poor result). Thirteen patients returned to work, whereas two with nonunion required surgical graft revision. Complete union was achieved at an average of 12 weeks after graft revision, with improved range of motion, and the patients returned to work with a change in their occupation. Conclusions Lunatocapitate arthrodesis is a satisfactory therapeutic alternative to four-corner fusion for SNAC wrists.