Scaphoid fractures: Is early fixation the gold standard?

Scaphoid fractures are injuries that typically occur in adult, working-aged men. Determination of a "gold standard" of treatment of scaphoid fractures has recently come under scrutiny as the methods of fracture fixation have improved. An emphasis has been placed on early internal fixation, because the times to union and return to work are decreased. The purpose of this report is to determine whether the advantages of early internal fixation outweigh the potential complications and to compare the reported results of early internal fixation to those of cast immobilization for stable mid-third scaphoid fractures.