Abstract
Background: The scaphoid is the most frequently fractured carpal bone, typically as a result of a fall onto an outstretched hand. Nonunion that caused by poor blood supply is an important complication of scaphoid fracture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the healing of scaphoid fracture nonunion.
Subjects: Thirty patients from both genders were diagnosed with scaphoid fracture for more than sex weeks without healing for more than six monthes, aged 20 to 50 years and were divided into two equal groups; fifteen patients each.
Method: Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups; group A (control group) received conservative treatment (immobilization with cast and follow-up). Group B (experi-mental group) received three ESWT sessions followed by immobilization by cast. X-ray radiographs were obtained before and after treatment.
Results: There were significant statistical differences between the 2 groups, where the treatment group showed greater improvement in the healing response.
Conclusion: ESWT is an effective method in treatment of scaphoid fracture nonunion.