This leaflet has been produced to give you information about your injury. If after reading it, you have any concerns or require further explanation, please do not hesitate to get in touch on the number at the end of this leaflet.
What is the scaphoid bone?
The scaphoid bone is one of the eight carpal bones of your wrist. It sits below the thumb as indicated in the picture.
Injuries can occur following a heavy fall on to an outstretched hand or a high energy impact to the wrist.
What are the symptoms of a scaphoid fracture?
Most scaphoid fractures (fracture is the same as a break) do not cause the wrist to look broken and many cause only minor symptoms. If the bone is broken, you may have:
- Pain, tenderness, or swelling on the thumb side of your wrist
- Difficulty gripping things or twisting your wrist or thumb
- Swelling around your wrist.
What is injured?
The common cases of wrist pain following injury:
- Ligament sprain – this means stretch or tear of one of the wrist ligaments
- Bruising of the cartilage or bone
- Occult fracture – this is a tiny crack of the bone which is not picked up early on x-ray and a scaphoid fracture can be missed.
What is a suspected scaphoid fracture?
Based on your initial assessment, you have been treated for a suspected scaphoid fracture and have been referred to the virtual fracture clinic (VFC). An orthopaedic consultant or a member of the team has reviewed your notes, x-ray and no definite scaphoid fracture has been identified. It is likely you have a wrist sprain.
How should it be treated?
Aim to start moving the fingers as soon as possible after the injury. You will have been given a wrist splint and this can be removed after 2 weeks to begin gentle exercises of the wrist. If pain and swelling are continuing to be a problem, you can wear the splint for a further 1-2 weeks to see if this helps. If comfortable, the splint can be removed at night at 2 weeks, but if the wrist remains very sore, you can keep the splint on for a further 1-2 weeks.
Check list
2 weeks – the swelling may still be noticeable, but the wrist should otherwise be comfortable.
4 weeks – the swelling should have gone down, and the splint should no longer be required unless you need to do heavy activity. Non-manual workers should be back to work.
6 weeks – you should be back to normal function and free from wearing the splint. You can try the exercises below.
What should I do if it doesn’t get better?
Most people’s symptoms will continue to settle around 2 weeks. If you are still experiencing pain and have symptoms at 3 weeks, please get in touch on the number below, as you may need a face-face assessment in fracture clinic.
Exercises
Aim to complete 10 repetitions regularly or as pain allows. Ensure you can make a fist.
Keeping your fingers and wrist straight, slide your hand so that your fingers are pointing to the left and then slide your hand, so your fingers are pointing to the right.
Telephone
If you have any concerns or if symptoms are persisting after 3 weeks, please call to make a fracture clinic appointment on 0191 4452718 (option 1) and tell the staff you would like to book a suspended appointment.
If you have any issues with your splint, call plaster room on 0191 4452259.