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Most people with a scaphoid fracture (which is the same as a broken wrist) will have pain and/or swelling along the thumb side of the wrist within days following a fall. Because there is no visible deformity and no difficulty with motion, many people with this injury assume that it is a wrist sprain.
Is it a broken wrist or a scaphoid fracture?
Visit a hand surgeon as soon as possible if you think you might have fractured your wrist. A scaphoid fracture is usually diagnosed by an x-ray of the wrist. However, x-rays do not always show scaphoid fractures. A break in the bone that cannot be seen on x-ray yet is called an “occult” fracture.
What to do if you think you have a scaphoid fracture?
It is located at the base of the hollow made by the thumb tendons. Often referred to as the "anatomic snuffbox," this area is typically the site of tenderness or pain when a fracture occurs. Photograph and x-ray showing the location of the scaphoid in the wrist.
Where is the scaphoid located in the wrist?
They happen when you break your scaphoid bone — a small bone near the base of your thumb. Your scaphoid is one of your carpal bones, the collection of bones that makes up your wrist. Scaphoid fractures are almost always caused by catching yourself with outstretched arms after a fall. Car accidents and other traumas can also cause them.
What happens when you break your scaphoid?
Can you move your hand with a scaphoid fracture?
Pain. Swelling. Tenderness. Inability to move your wrist.
What does a broken scaphoid feel like?
Symptoms. Scaphoid fractures usually cause pain and swelling in the anatomic snuffbox and on the thumb side of the wrist. The pain may be severe when you move your thumb or wrist, or when you try to pinch or grasp something. Unless your wrist is deformed, it might not be obvious that your scaphoid bone is broken.
Can you move your wrist if it's fractured?
Some people can still move or use the hand or wrist even if there is a broken bone. Swelling or a bone out of place can make the wrist appear deformed. There is often pain right around the break and with finger movement. Sometimes the fingers tingle or feel numb at the tips.
Can a scaphoid fracture go unnoticed?
The complex anatomy of the wrist makes accurate diagnosis challenging and in many cases, the fracture remains undetected and can lead to further complications.
How do you rule out a scaphoid fracture?
There are several different diagnostic modalities to detect a scaphoid fracture. These include conventional radiographs, computed tomography (CT scans), magnetic resonance examination, bone scintigraphy and sonograms.
Does a scaphoid fracture always hurt?
Scaphoid fractures Unlike breaks in the long bones that connect to the wrist (such as the radius), a broken scaphoid is unlikely to display a visible, misshapen deformity in the wrist. The area around the scaphoid may not be noticeably swollen, and the fracture does not always cause severe pain.
Can you hold things with a broken wrist?
Move your fingers often to reduce swelling and stiffness, but do not use that hand to grab or carry anything. Follow instructions for exercises to keep your arm strong.
How can I tell if my wrist is broken or just sprained?
Wrist sprains are often signaled by a “popping” noise at the time of the incident – characteristic of a torn ligament. Fractures, on the other hand, are often accompanied by a crack, and movement after the injury may make a small grinding or crunching sound which is not present with sprains. Range of motion.
What does a fractured wrist feel like?
Severe pain that might worsen when gripping or squeezing or moving your hand or wrist. Swelling. Tenderness. Bruising.
Can you sprain your scaphoid?
Signs and Symptoms Most people with a scaphoid fracture (which is the same as a broken wrist) will have pain and/or swelling along the thumb side of the wrist within days following a fall. Because there is no visible deformity and no difficulty with motion, many people with this injury assume that it is a wrist sprain.
Do you need a cast for a scaphoid fracture?
A scaphoid fracture is usually caused by a fall on to an outstretched hand. Symptoms can include pain and swelling around the wrist. Diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture can sometimes be difficult, as not all show up on X-rays. Treatment is usually with a cast worn on your arm up to your elbow for 6-12 weeks.
Is it easy to fracture your scaphoid?
The scaphoid's position on the side of your wrist and relatively large size make it vulnerable to injury and fracture. In fact, it's the most frequently fractured carpal bone, accounting for about 70 percent of carpal fractures.
What happens if a scaphoid fracture is left untreated?
If a Scaphoid fracture does not heal, it is called a Scaphoid Fracture Non-union. If left untreated, the part of the Scaphoid that interacts with the Radius may die, which can lead to painful arthritis in the wrist, developing months to years after the initial injury.
Can a broken scaphoid heal on its own?
Can a scaphoid fracture heal on its own? Due to the sensitive nature of the bone involved in this particular fracture, it cannot be left to heal on its own, and it is unadvisable to take this tack. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you feel you may be suffering from a scaphoid fracture.
Do you need a cast for a scaphoid fracture?
If the scaphoid fracture is non-displaced (bone has not moved out of place at the fracture), it usually can be successfully treated with a cast. Although the fracture may heal in as little as six weeks, it may take longer for some patients.
How long does a bruised scaphoid take to heal?
It can take anywhere up to 8 weeks to declare. Treatment for bone bruising should be with a scaphoid cast and follow-up X-ray.
How long does it take for a scaphoid fracture to heal?
A nondisplaced fracture in the waist or distal pole of your scaphoid that’s treated soon after injury can be treated by immobilizing your wrist with a cast for six to 12 weeks. Once an X-ray shows the fracture is healed, the cast can be removed.
Where is the distal pole of a scaphoid fracture?
waist: the curved middle of the bone that lies under the anatomic snuffbox. distal pole: the end closest to your forearm. About 80 percent of scaphoid fractures happen at the waist, 20 percent at the proximal pole, and 10 percent at the distal pole. The site of the fracture affects how it will heal. Fractures in the distal pole and waist usually ...
What happens when your wrist is less extended?
When your wrist is less extended, the radius bone takes the force of impact resulting in a distal radius fracture ( Colles’ or Smith fracture). A FOOSH injury commonly affects the scaphoid because it’s the main connection between your hand and forearm. When you fall on your hand, all of the energy produced when your hand hits ...
What happens if your wrist bends back?
When it causes your wrist to bend back farther than it’s meant to go, a fracture may occur. The angle of your wrist when it hits the ground affects where a fracture happens. The farther your wrist is bent back, the more likely it is that your scaphoid bone will break.
What is the scaphoid bone?
What is the scaphoid? The scaphoid bone is one of the eight smaller carpal bones in your wrist. It lies on the thumb side of your wrist right below the radius, one of the two larger bones in your forearm. It’s involved in moving and stabilizing your wrist. An older name for it is the navicular bone.
Why do distal pole fractures heal so quickly?
Fractures in the distal pole and waist usually heal quickly because they have a good blood supply. Most of the proximal pole has a poor blood supply that’s easily cut off in a fracture. Without blood, the bone dies, which is called avascular necrosis. Fractures in the proximal pole don’t heal as well or as quickly.
Why do you wear a wrist guard?
Wearing a wrist guard is an easy way to prevent these injuries. Participating in sports that repeatedly stress your scaphoid bone, such as shot put or gymnastics, can also cause a scaphoid fracture. Other causes include a hard blow directly to your palm and motor vehicle accidents.
What is a scaphoid fracture?
video. A scaphoid (navicular) fracture is a break in one of the small bones of the wrist. This type of fracture occurs most often after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture typically include pain and tenderness in the area just below the base of the thumb.
Why are nonunions more common after scaphoid fractures?
Nonunions are more common after scaphoid fractures because the blood supply to the scaphoid bone is poor. Good blood supply to a bone is very important in fracture healing—since blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the site of the fracture to aid in healing.
How long does it take for a scaphoid fracture to show up on an x-ray?
If your doctor suspects that you have a fracture but it is not visible on x-ray, he or she may recommend that you wear a wrist splint or cast for 2 to 3 weeks and then return for a follow-up x-ray. Often, scaphoid fractures become visible on x-ray only after a period of time. During this waiting period, you should wear your splint or cast and avoid activities that might cause further injury.
Why does my wrist hurt so bad?
Pain in your wrist that does not go away within a day of injury may be a sign of a fracture —so it is important to see a doctor if your pain persists. Prompt treatment of a scaphoid fracture will help avoid potential complications.
How many carpal bones are there in each row?
The carpal bones are arranged in two rows at the base of the hand. There are four bones in each row. Normal anatomy of the hand and wrist. The scaphoid is one of the small carpal bones in the wrist. Reproduced from JF Sarwark, ed: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, ed 4. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2010.
Where is the scaphoid bone?
The scaphoid bone is one of the carpal bones on the thumb side of the wrist, just above the radius. The bone is important for both motion and stability in the wrist joint. The word "scaphoid" comes from the Greek term for "boat.". The scaphoid bone resembles a boat with its relatively long, curved shape.
How to reduce a fracture?
In some cases, this is done using a limited incision and special guided instruments. In other cases, it is performed through an open incision with direct manipulation of the fracture. For some fractures, your doctor may use a tiny camera called an "arthroscope" to aid in the reduction.
How to avoid a scaphoid fracture?
The best way to avoid a scaphoid fracture is to use proper protective gear whenever possible. Wrist guards are particularly useful during sports such as rollerblading, snowboarding and many contact sports.
What to do if a scaphoid fracture does not heal?
If it does not heal, surgery can be considered. If the scaphoid fracture is displaced, the risk of nonunion is higher, and your physician may recommend initial surgery to reposition the bones. Also, if the fracture does not heal with cast treatment (immobilization), surgery will be recommended.
Why do scaphoid fractures need immediate diagnosis?
Because there is only this one, small blood supply, a fracture in the center of the bone can actually sever the blood flow to the proximal portion of the bone. For this reason, scaphoid fractures need immediate diagnosis and treatment. Scaphoid fractures may heal very slowly or may not heal at all.
What is the best way to heal a scaphoid fracture?
Rehabilitation is an important part of healing due to the long immobilization time needed to treat most scaphoid fractures. Range-of-motion exercises for the wrist can be started after immobilization, followed by strengthening exercises for the wrist flexors and extensors.
What is the scaphoid bone?
The scaphoid sits below the thumb, and is shaped like a kidney bean. This complex bone has a unique and limited blood supply that can be easily disrupted by a fracture. The scaphoid’s blood flow comes from a small vessel that enters the most distant part of the bone and flows back through the bone to give nutrition to the bone cells. ...
How long does it take for a fractured wrist to show on x-rays?
Because of this, it is common for physicians to treat a wrist injury as though it were a scaphoid fracture initially, and then repeat x-rays within two weeks.
How to tell if you have a sprain wrist?
Other symptoms include swelling in the wrist, difficulty gripping objects , and tenderness or pain in the anatomical snuff box (a sunken space between tendons of the wrist). Many patients are diagnosed with a wrist sprain when they actually have a fracture.
What does it mean when a scaphoid fracture is not healing?
If the scaphoid fracture is not healing, you may or may not continue to have symptoms. It may be a sign that your fracture is not healing if you notice decreased strength, such as inability to do push-ups. Patient age.
What is the scaphoid fracture?
Scaphoid Fracture. The scaphoid is one of eight small bones that make up the “carpal bones” of the wrist. It connects two rows of these bones - the proximal row (closer to the forearm) and the distal row (closer to the hand). This connection puts it at extra risk for injury (Figure 1). The two rows of wrist bones, shown here, ...
How to heal a fracture without surgery?
Usually, surgery is needed to clean out the fracture site, to potentially place some form of bone graft to help bone healing, and to stabilize the fracture with pins or screws. Treatment without surgery can include use of a brace, anti-inflammatory medication or a cortisone shot for pain relief.
How long does it take for a scaphoid fracture to heal?
Although the fracture may heal in as little as six weeks, it may take longer for some patients.
What is occult fracture?
However, x-rays do not always show scaphoid fractures. A break in the bone that cannot be seen on x-ray yet is called an “occult” fracture.
How many rows of wrist bones are there?
The two rows of wrist bones, shown here, are important in understanding a scaphoid fracture.
Where is the scaphoid bone?
If you are tender directly over the scaphoid bone (which is located in the hollow at the thumb side of the wrist as shown in Figure 2), your healthcare provider might recommend wearing a splint to be safe. If pain persists, a follow-up exam and x-ray in a week or two can be used to diagnose.
How is a scaphoid fracture of the wrist treated?
Treatment for scaphoid fractures includes wearing an arm cast or splint and sometimes having surgery. Even if the first X-rays or other imaging tests do not show a fracture, your doctor still may treat you to prevent possible problems with healing.
What is a scaphoid fracture of the wrist?
A scaphoid fracture is a break in a small bone on the thumb side of your wrist . This is also called a navicular fracture. Of the eight carpal bones in your wrist, your scaphoid bone is the one most likely to break.
