Do you require any assistance? Simply reserve your appointment online below
Scaphoid Fractures
Restoring your hand function
The scaphoid bone is a small, boat-shaped bone in the wrist, which, along with 7 other carpal bones, forms the wrist joint. It is present on the thumb side of the wrist causing it to be at a high risk for fractures. They can occur at two places: near the thumb or near the forearm.
The scaphoid bone 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
Causes of scaphoid fractures
A few causal factors associated with a Scaphoid Fracture in the Wrist include:
- Falling from a significant height; especially landing on one’s hands (or the fracture occurring since the individual is overweight)
- Direct trauma to the wrist due to an automobile accident
- Taking part in any rough or high-impact sport
Symptoms of scaphoid fractures
Signs and symptoms of a Scaphoid Fracture of the Wrist include:
- Sharp pain at the site, where the injury occurred.
- Difficultly with hand or thumb/finger movement, weakness
- Swelling, tenderness to touch
- Limited range of wrist motion
- Difficultly gripping objects
- Bruising is also a very rare symptom of the fracture. There are chances that the patient might not be aware of the fracture for months or even years after the fall as the pain generally improves in a few days..
Risk factors for scaphoid fracture of the wrist
There are many factors that increase the possibility of sustaining a Scaphoid Fracture of the Wrist, such as certain types of medical conditions, and increased physical activity.
Risk factors associated with a Scaphoid Fracture include:
- Participation in high-risk contact sports, such as football or basketball
- Degenerative bone disease (osteoporosis)
- Scaphoid Fractures of the Wrist may occur in individuals of any age, race, ethnic group, and gender
- Even though only a small percentage of all wrist fractures occur to the scaphoid bone, young adults, who are physically active, have the highest risk of sustaining this injury
- Men are more likely to experience a Scaphoid Fracture, than women
How is Scaphoid Fracture of Wrist Diagnosed?
Scaphoid fractures are 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.
If you are tender directly over the scaphoid bone which is located in the hollow at the thumb side of the wrist, your health care 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.
A CT scan, bone scan or MRI may also be used to diagnosis the fracture.
You are in Great Hands
How is scaphoid fracture of the wrist treated?
Treatment for scaphoid fracture is based on the site of the fracture for instance, the fracture near the thumb or near the forearm.
Non-surgical Treatment
Your doctor will suggest non-surgical treatment when the scaphoid fracture is not displaced. Non-surgical treatment involves immobilization of the forearm, hand and/or thumb in a cast.
It might also include the elbow in case of fractures near the forearm. The time taken for the fracture to heal ranges from 6 – 10 weeks. Fractures near the thumb take relatively less time to heal when compared to fractures near the forearm as the blood supply necessary for healing is better near the thumb.
Surgical treatment
Your hand and wrist specialist in Nairobi can recommend surgical treatment when the fracture is displaced or is present closer to the forearm. In surgical treatment, an incision is made either in the front or back of the wrist.
Your surgeon will use screws to hold the scaphoid bone in place as it heals. If the bone is broken into more than 2 pieces, bone graft (graft usually taken from the forearm or hip) may be used to help in the healing process.
Following surgery, your hand will be placed in a splint or cast until it completely heals. Until then, you will be advised by your doctor to avoid contact sports and not to lift, throw, push or pull heavy weights with the injured arm.
During recovery, you will be given physical therapy and taught certain exercises to help you regain strength and range of motion in your wrist.