What is a Scaphoid Fracture?

How Does a Scaphoid Fracture Happen?

When you land on an outstretched hand with the wrist bent back, the load breaks the scaphoid, a bone that bridges the rows of wrist bones. It is most common in young adults in sports and cycling accidents and can be missed when mistaken for a wrist sprain.

Symptoms

• Pain and mild swelling on the thumb side of the wrist
• Tenderness when pressing the hollow at the base of the thumb (anatomical snuffbox)
• Pain increasing with gripping and bending the wrist
• Usually no obvious deformity

Frequently Asked Questions

Can there be a fracture if the X-ray is normal?

Yes. If the examination is suspicious, the wrist is protected in a splint and assessed with MRI, CT or a repeat X-ray after 10 to 14 days. Undisplaced fractures can be treated in a thumb cast; displaced fractures, or patients who need faster recovery, may have screw fixation. Missed fractures may fail to heal and later lead to wrist arthritis.