A fall on an outstretched arm may result in more thanwrist painor a sprain. Such a fall may cause a fracture of the scaphoid (navicular) bone in the wrist. This small bone is one of the eight carpal bones in the wrist. It is sometimes called a “snuffbox” fracture as this area of the wrist is sometimes referred to as the “anatomic snuffbox.”
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Why a Scaphoid Fracture Is Slow to Heal
Scaphoid Fracture Diagnosis
If you have pain or deep aching on the thumb-side of the wrist, typically after a fall on an outstretched arm, you may have a scaphoid fracture. Other symptoms include swelling in the wrist, difficulty gripping objects, and tenderness or pain in the anatomical snuffbox (a sunken space between tendons of the wrist).
Many patients are diagnosed with awrist sprainwhen they actually have a fracture. Diagnosis is difficult because the fracture often doesn’t appear on X-rays until weeks later after healing has begun. Because of this, it is common for physicians to treat awrist injuryas though it were a scaphoid fracture initially, and then repeat X-rays within two weeks.
Scaphoid Fracture Treatment
If it is a simple, non-displaced fracture, orthopedic physicians usually treat the injury with cast immobilization to see if the fracture heals in a timely manner. Repeat X-rays are taken over several weeks or months, and the physician can watch for appropriate healing, which can take 10 to 12 weeks. If it does not heal, surgery can be considered.
If thescaphoid fractureis displaced, therisk of nonunionis 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. This type of surgery involves pinning the bone in place with screws. New surgical techniques are being developed for the scaphoid, including arthroscopic surgery.
Rehabilitation After Scaphoid Fracture
How to Prevent 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.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Scaphoid fracture of the wrist.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Scaphoid fracture of the wrist.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Scaphoid fracture of the wrist.
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