Scaphoid fracture key points:

• most common carpal bone fractured
• 10% of scaphoid fractures have an associated fracture of another bone
• 70% involve the waist, 10-20% the distal pole, and 5-10% the proximal pole

Avascular necrosis of the scaphoid key points:

• occurs in 15-30% of scaphoid fractures
• almost always involves the proximal pole
• up to 30% of scaphoid fractures may display increased density of the proximal pole
• the more proximal the fracture, the higher the risk of AVN
• the radiographic hallmarks of AVN are collapse and fragmentation
• often reversible
• may be due to relative ischemia of the proximal pole