REAL-TIME ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF MOVEMENT AT THE SITE OF A SCAPHOID FRACTURE NONUNION

We investigated the use of real time linear ultrasonography in determi ning movement at a scaphoid fracture site in 27 patients with non-unit ed scaphoid fractures. 24 of these patients had surgical treatment. Fr acture movement was observed at the time of surgery and this was compa red with the ultrasonographic findings. The technique proved to be 100 % specific for visualization of movement at the fracture site and it w as non-invasive. However, it was of no benefit in assessing proximal p ole non-union.