Scaphoid wrist fracture!!

[boo_08uk]

hi does any1 have any information about the above fracture! ie how the injury often occurs and it rehabilitation!thanks!
elizabeth

[joshmeyer]

These fractures usually occur via a fall on outstretched hand (foosh), or any other type of impact through the forearm or wrist with the wrist in extension. The trickiness with these fractures is that they are not easily distinguishable on plain film xrays. They present as radial sided wrist pain with painful limited range of extension etc. Clinically the patient will show snuffbox tenderness and pain with gripping. There may be little or no swelling. Often the pateint has the wrist pain for a couple of weeks with no improvement.
A fracture that can be managed conservatively with short arm POP, but may require ORIF as it is prone to developing Avascular necrosis, due to it's limited and easily disrupted blood supply. Even after ORIF the patient needs to immobilise in POP to give maximal chance of union etc.
Due to this they will be quite stiff and sore afterwards but generally respond well to regular forms of mobilsation.