The prognostic value and reproducibility of the radiological features of the fractured scaphoid

We investigated whether the radiological features of the fractured scaphoid could be reproducibly measured and used to predict the likelihood of union with conservative plaster cast immobilization. We found that the inter- an d intra-observer reproducibility of the Compson, Herbert and Russe classifi cation systems were only fair and that none predicted fracture union. Asses sments of fracture level, comminution and displacement showed moderate inte r- and intra-observer reproducibility but did not predict the likelihood of fracture union. We conclude that the radiological features of acute scapho id fractures cannot be used to predict the likelihood of fracture union.