Common treatment options include immobilization via casts or braces and physical therapy to help restore range of motion and strengthen nearby muscles.įracture near the forearm (proximal pole scaphoid fractures): If the fracture is located near the middle of the bone, or at its waist, it will often struggle to heal properly due to limited blood supply. In most cases, patients with distal pole scaphoid fractures recover within a few weeks with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. This is due to several factors, including more efficient blood supply from the radial artery and better alignment of all the bones within the hand. In some cases, this leads to a condition called nonunion.įracture near the thumb (distal pole scaphoid fractures): In general, fractures closer to the thumb heal more quickly than those further away from it. However, there is a risk that this approach may not lead to full healing if the fracture site does not receive enough direct blood supply. This approach provided stability for the bone and allowed it to heal over time, typically taking several weeks or even months. Xartproduction - stock.adobe Non-Operative Treatmentįor many years, the traditional treatment for non-displaced scaphoid fractures was immobilization in a cast. Instead, doctors often rely on advanced diagnostic techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scan) and Computed Tomography (CT scan) to identify the location and severity of a fracture. One of the primary challenges in diagnosing scaphoid fractures is that they can be difficult to identify using traditional imaging methods like X-rays. As a result, this bone can be difficult to heal, especially if the radial artery has been damaged. Unlike most other bones in the body, which receive a rich blood supply from many different vessels, the scaphoid bone is heavily dependent on just a few sources of blood flow. A scaphoid fracture can be difficult to diagnose because there are often no obvious deformities. Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture include wrist pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist, swelling and bruising around the wrist joint, and difficulty and pain when grasping objects or moving the thumb or hand. Due to the highly complex structure of the scaphoid, even minor trauma can result in a fracture. This type of injury is especially common among athletes and workers who engage in activities that involve repetitive lifting or falling. Typically, these fractures are caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand, which can damage the fragile scaphoid bone. Scaphoid fractures are one of the most common carpal bone fractures to occur in young adults¹. Non-displaced fracture: the bone fragments have not moved out of alignment.Displaced fracture: the bone fragments have moved out of alignment.Scaphoid fractures are classified according to how far out of position the broken pieces of bone have moved: If left untreated, a broken scaphoid can lead to chronic pain in the hand and wrist that can be difficult to manage over time. Oftentimes a scaphoid fracture is one of several injuries sustained during a fall or other accident. The most common type of fracture occurs in the middle portion of the bone, known as the "waist." However, fractures can also occur at the proximal and distal ends of the scaphoid.Īn injury to the wrist can cause damage to the scaphoid bone. Fractures can occur at various locations along the bone. What Is a Scaphoid Fracture?Ī scaphoid fracture is a break in one of the carpal bones on the thumb side of the wrist. Despite its small size, however, the scaphoid plays a critical role in wrist function, providing support and stability to this important joint. Located right below the thumb, this tiny, kidney-bean-shaped bone fits neatly between the bones of the forearm and hand. The scaphoid bone is an essential component of the wrist, allowing for the delicate, yet intricate movements of the hand and fingers.
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