[Assessment of scaphoid bone fracture (author's transl)].

The article discusses, first of all, the reasons for a failure to detect a fresh fracture of the scaphoid bone which may be ascribed to the patient himself or of an iatrogenic nature. This is followed by guidelines for early detection of scaphoid fracture on the basis of the course taken normally by a fresh but untreated fracture of the scaphoid bone, thus providing pointers towards clarifying whether the fracture has a causal connection with a claimed accident. Signs of strengthening of the treated fresh scaphoid fracture are explained. Hints for the possible need for surgical treatment are derived from a differentiation between the traumatic cavity of the scaphoid bone and covered pseudarthrosis.