The scaphoid (skaf'-oyd) bone is one of the carpal (wrist) bones located on the thumb side of your wrist, close to your forearm. Scaphoid fractures account for about 60 percent of all wrist fractures. They occur most commonly in men ages 20 to 40 years, and are less common in children or in older adults. The break usually occurs during a fall on the outstretched wrist. It’s a common injury in sports and motor vehicle accidents.
Most of the time, a broken bone is obvious. The area around the break may be painful, swollen or deformed. But sometimes a bone can break without you realizing it. Many people with a fractured scaphoid think they have a sprained wrist instead of a broken bone because there is no obvious deformity and very little swelling.
If you’ve fallen and think you’ve sprained your wrist, see your doctor as soon as possible. Your physician will ask you to describe what happened, examine your hand and wrist, and order X-rays of the area. It may be difficult to see a scaphoid fracture on the first set of X-rays. Even if the initial X-rays do not show a scaphoid fracture, your physician may immobilize your wrist in a cast or splint for a week or so.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a scaphoid fracture are similar to those of a sprained wrist. There will be pain and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist. There may be some swelling around the base of the thumb and gripping things may be painful. The symptom that most distinguishes a scaphoid fracture from a sprained wrist is marked tenderness to pressure on the "anatomical snuffbox," a triangular-shaped area on the side of the hand between two tendons that lead to the thumb.
How a 3-Point Splint Can Help
You may be asked to wear a splint that immobilizes the thumb and wrist for a week or two while your physician runs tests to see if you have fractured the scaphoid bone. The ThumSaver CMC Long offers good support and is easy to wear full time.
Scaphoid fractures heal slowly depending on where the fracture site is. Healing time can range from six weeks for fractures in the top portion of the scaphoid to six months for fractures in the lower portion. You may need to wear a splint once the cast is removed to support your wrist and thumb while you go through therapy to regain your motion and strength. The ThumSaver Long or the 3pp Ultra Spica are excellent choices for post-cast splinting.
Regaining strength will take time. Reflex Putty is excellent to help restore hand, thumb and wrist strength.
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