What is a fractured scaphoid?
The scaphoid is one of the small group of bones in the wrist called the calcarpel bones. It is the most common carpel bone to fracture among athletes and is often caused by falling onto and outstretched arm. What are the symptoms? • Pain in the wrist which may settle down soon after the fall. • Rapid swelling to the back of the wrist. • Difficulty gripping things. • Tenderness when pressing in on the wrist – compare with the good one as some degree of tenderness may be present anyway. • Compression of the thumb inwards towards the wrist causes pain. What can a Doctor do? • X-ray the wrist to confirm the diagnosis. The injury may not always show up on an X-ray. If the therapist suspects a fracture but the X-ray is normal then a fracture cannot be ruled out. In this case an MRI or bone scan will reveal the fracture. • Immobilze the fracture for 8 weeks in a cast extending from just below the elbow, over the wrist and base of the thumb. • After 8 weeks the injury is re-assessed and rehabi
