What is a Scaphoid Fracture?
The scaphoid is one of eight small bones in the wrist. It is located between the hand and the forearm bones. When falling, we have a natural tendency to break the fall with our hands. This means we land hard on the palm of the hand, and because of its position, the scaphoid can break. Just about anyone can fall and break their scaphoid, but this injury is seen frequently in people who engage in sports and other physical activities.
Symptoms
Unlike most other broken bones, it may not be immediately apparent that the scaphoid is broken. It is easy to mistake a broken scaphoid for a sprained wrist. There is no outward deformity, and in some cases, there might not even be much pain at the outset. In fact, even x-rays may not show it.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The course of treatment for a broken scaphoid can vary greatly depending on several factors:
- The location of the break (closer to the thumb, or closer to the foream);
- The number of fractures;
- Whether or not there is displacement (the broken pieces have moved out of alignment).
Dr. Asif will conduct a thorough physical examination, which will most likely include x-rays. Simple cases are usually handled with a cast. More complicated breaks, such as those involving displacement, may require surgery.
Dr. Asif is well-known for his conservative approach, and does not rush to surgery if non-surgical methods will lead to the proper outcome.
