Scaphoid Fracture
This is a common carpal wrist bone fracture. Often wrongly diagnosed as a wrist sprain, there is tenderness or pain where the base of the thumb meets the wrist, an area called the anatomical snuffbox.
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It usually occurs in the adolescent or young adult with a fall on the outstretched hand or with high velocity wrist injuries (like motorcycle accidents).
Treatment for a scaphoid fracture can be difficult. If there is just a crack in the scaphoid bone, it requires a thumb splint for 6 weeks or until healed. If the bone is completely broken apart, it will require surgical fixation. Because of the unusual blood supply, the fracture may not heal completely (delayed union) or avascular necrosis (death of the bone because of loss of the blood supply) may result.
Possible Treatment Goals
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Improve Range of Motion
- Self-care of Symptoms
Additional Resources
More Wrist and Hand articles
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This is a fracture of a small region on the palm of the hand opposite the thumb.
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Skier's Thumb (Gamekeeper's thumb)
Skier’s Thumb is caused by a traumatic force on the thumb that forces it out (thumb abduction and/or extension are the anatomical directions) damaging…
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