Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the scaphoid. Case report.

A 30 year old woman presented with pain in her right wrist a year after operation for de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed avascular necrosis of the scaphoid without loss of volume. She was instructed to wear a brace on her wrist while working. A year later she was free of symptoms but the scan was unchanged. Avascular necrosis of the scaphoid not associated with injury is extremely rare.