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Fracture of the scaphoid bone is the most common fracture of the carpal bones (Dunn 1972). Primary diagnosis can be difficult, and misdiagnosis with subsequent inadequate treatment often results in a permanently painful wrist with reduced function of the hand. We have observed that the immobilization time for scaphoid fractures at this clinic is shorter than is usually reported (Cooney et al. 1980; Dunn 1972; Eddeland et al. 1975). We have also observed that in some cases major diastasis in the fractures coincided with delayed union or non-union. Since opinions on the treatment of these fractures have varied on some points, we find it worthwhile to present our results. The major aims of the study were to evaluate whether the short immobilization time has any bearing on the fracture healing and, furthermore, whether the presence of a significant diastasis of the fracture affects the healing.

Radiological progression was evaluated in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX). Prior to MTX treatment, all the patients had failed on other slow-acting agents and all showed radiological deterioration. For each patient, three sets of radiographs of hands and wrists were evaluated: prior to MTX treatment while on other slow-acting agents, at the beginning of MTX treatment, and at the most recent evaluation on MTX. Two experienced radiologists evaluated the radiographs independently. The rate of radiological progression was calculated by dividing the change in radiological score by the number of months between sets of radiographs. The mean time from film set one to two (period one) was 29.4 months and from set two to three (period two) 32.5 months. The mean rate of radiological progression for period one was 0.576 and for period two, 0.381. Eight patients showed decline in radiological progression during MTX treatment.