Atraumatic Scaphoid Avascular Necrosis After Repeated Steroid Injections.

Abstract

Atraumatic avascular necrosis of the scaphoid is an extremely rare pathology. We present a case of avascular necrosis of the scaphoid following repeat local glucocorticoid injections. A 70-year-old, right-handed woman presented to our clinic with 2 years of atraumatic, progressively worsening left wrist pain and loss of range of motion. Imaging demonstrated fragmentation and avascular necrosis of the scaphoid. The patient underwent uncomplicated scaphoid excision, pisiform excision, and intercarpal arthrodesis, with a good functional outcome. This case highlights both the risk of repeated intra-articular steroid injections and the importance of obtaining serial radiographs when providing intra-articular steroid injections. [<i>Orthopedics</i>. 2025;48(3):188-191.].