Scaphoid Fracture

The common signs & symptoms of a scaphoid fracture include pain, swelling and tenderness over the thumb side of the wrist. There is noticeable tenderness to the touch over the “anatomical snuff box”. Crunchiness and pain with gripping motions are also common symptoms that be found with such an injury.

The scaphoid bone is one of the 8 carpal bones of the wrist. It is situated between the hand and forearm on the thumb side of the wrist (also called the lateral or radial side). It forms the radial border of the carpal tunnel. The scaphoid bone is the largest bone of the proximal row of wrist bones.It is approximately the size and shape of a medium cashew.

This type of fracture occurs most often after a fall onto an outstretched hand or participating in sports that repeatedly stress your scaphoid bone, such as shot put or gymnastics

Other causes include a hard blow directly to your palm such as the end of a golf club that has stuck the ground or car accidents.

Treatment for a scaphoid fracture can range from casting to surgery, depending on the fracture’s severity and location on the bone. Because portions of the scaphoid have a poor blood supply—and a fracture can further disrupt the flow of blood to the bone—complications with the healing process are common..