Return to work and sport after arthroscopic grafting for scaphoid nonunion.

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to assess the rates of return to work and sports participation following arthroscopic bone grafting for severe scaphoid nonunion.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated for scaphoid nonunion from 2017 to 2024, with a minimum follow-up of one year. All patients underwent arthroscopic repair utilizing an olecranon bone graft and antegrade screw fixation. Employment status and sports participation prior to the diagnosis of nonunion were documented and evaluated at final follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients met the inclusion criteria. Before the diagnosis of scaphoid nonunion, 18 patients (85.7%) were employed, with 2 (11.1%) not returning to work. Seventeen patients (80.9%) participated in sports prior to nonunion. At the final follow-up, one patient (5.8%) was unable to resume sports, while two patients (11.7%) modified their activities due to ongoing wrist discomfort during pre-injury sports.

CONCLUSION

The arthroscopic management of scaphoid nonunion resulted in significant functional recovery, with an 88.9% return-to-work rate and a 94.2% return-to-sport rate.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.