![]() When can I return to work and driving after plaster treatment? Reasons the scaphoid may not heal are smoking, delay in getting the wrist into plaster and fractures which are at the wrist end of the bone (proximal pole). The scaphoid can break anywhere along its length, most are at the middle bit called the waist and has an 85% healing with a plaster treatment. If the scaphoid fracture is still there the wrist is put back in plaster for a further 4 weeks. If the fracture has clinically and radiological healed the cast can stay off. At the end of this time the cast is removed, the wrist is examined and x-rays are taken. The cast usually includes the thumb, wrist and forearm. Most non-displaced scaphoid fractures will heal if treated in a cast for eight weeks. Treatment for scaphoid fractures depends on the type of fracture. Other common causes of scaphoid fracture include motor accidents, motor bike or cycling accidents and forceful blows to the wrist. This position puts tremendous force at the scaphoid, and can cause it to bruise, crack or break into two or more pieces. The most common cause of a scaphoid fracture is a fall onto an outstretched hand, which causes the wrist to hyper-extend and rotate towards the thumb. Rarely a bone scan, MRI or CT scan may be required. So if the scaphoid is tender on examination but the x-ray shows no fracture x-rays should be repeated after 2 weeks. Special X-rays are needed to identify scaphoid fractures however, some fractures may not be visible on x-ray until a few weeks after the injury. If the fracture is displaced a painful crunching, or moving sensation may be felt when the wrist is moved.Ī scaphoid fracture is a serious problem that may be confused with a wrist sprain. A most specific symptom of scaphoid fracture is tenderness over the scaphoid bone, which may be felt on the back of the hand between the tendons at the base of the thumb (the anatomical snuff box). Symptoms include pain, difficulty with wrist movement and grip weakness. Scaphoid fractures can be mistaken for wrist sprains because they have similar symptoms. How do I know if I have a scaphoid fracture? The scaphoid is important because it spans between both of these rows of carpals, stabilising motion between the hand and the forearm. The wrist is made up of eight bones (carpal bones) and arranged in two rows between the radius, ulna and the hand bones. If a scaphoid fracture is not treated properly, problems can result in the future, typically arthritis and loss of motion. The scaphoid is one of the most important bones in the wrist however it has a poor blood supply. Scaphoid fracture What is a scaphoid fracture?Ī scaphoid fracture is a break in the scaphoid bone.
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