What is a nondisplaced scaphoid fracture?
A nondisplaced scaphoid fracture means that the bone has not shifted at all out of position, and the fracture may not even be visible on an X-ray image. A displaced fracture of the scaphoid occurs when the bones have shifted out of position.
What is a scaphoid waist fracture?
A scaphoid (navicular) fracture is a break in one of the small bones of the wrist. This type of fracture occurs most often after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture typically include pain and tenderness in the area just below the base of the thumb.
How do you treat a scaphoid fracture?
The recommended treatment for unstable scaphoid fractures is open reduction and screw fixation. Closed reduction and percutaneous screw or pin fixation can be considered in minimally displaced or reducible fractures, whereas open reduction is recommended for all other displaced fractures.
Should acute scaphoid fractures be fixed?
Distal scaphoid fractures can be treated conservatively. The majority heal uneventfully after four to six weeks of immobilization, depending on fracture type. In general, proximal scaphoid fractures should be treated with internal fixation.
Is a scaphoid fracture serious?
Scaphoid fractures that are not diagnosed and treated are in danger of developing two serious complications: Nonunion—when the bone fragments heal improperly or incompletely. Avascular necrosis—when the fracture causes blood supply to be cut off to part or all of the bone, causing the bone tissue to die.
Can you drive with a broken scaphoid?
When can I return to work and driving after plaster treatment? Return to an office job is possible within the confines of the plaster, however most insurance companies will not let you drive. Manual work will be impossible until after the cast is off and the scaphoid has healed.
Can you move your thumb with a scaphoid fracture?
A scaphoid fracture causes tenderness directly over the bone and the pain may increase when you move your thumb or grip things. Your initial pain may decrease over days or weeks and because there is no significant bruising or swelling they are often mistaken for a sprained wrist.
Can scaphoid fracture heal without cast?
Because blood supply is needed to heal a fracture, the scaphoid often takes a long time (a few months) to heal. If the scaphoid fracture is non-displaced (bone has not moved out of place at the fracture), it usually can be successfully treated with a cast.
How long will a scaphoid fracture hurt?
Your wrist will probably feel stiff for about a month or two after the cast is off. You might continue to have a dull ache or stiffness for about two years. Some people develop carpal tunnel syndrome after having a Colles’ wrist fracture.
How long does it take to heal scaphoid bone?
Healing: Average time to union of the scaphoid is twelve weeks. Depending on the rigidity of the bone fixation and need for bone graft, the wrist may be casted for four, six, eight or 12 weeks.
How long will I be off work with a broken scaphoid?
In general terms your wrist will take six to eight weeks to heal fully and during this time you will be unable to lift heavy items or do heavy manual work. However if you can do office-based duties you can potentially return to work with your plaster on before this time.
Can you move your fingers with a scaphoid fracture?
How are nondisplaced fractures of the scaphoid treated?
Nondisplaced fractures of the scaphoid heal with cast immobilization in most cases, but operative treatment is being offered with greater frequency to active patients as an approach to reduce the period of cast immobilization. Computed tomography is more useful for evaluating displacement than standard radiography.
How is a scaphoid fracture of the wrist classified?
Scaphoid fractures are classified according to the severity of displacement–or how far the pieces of bone have moved out of their normal position: Non-displaced fracture. In this type of fracture, the bone fragments line up correctly. Displaced fracture.
What happens to the radius of the scaphoid bone?
The angle of your wrist when it hits the ground affects where a fracture happens. The farther your wrist is bent back, the more likely it is that your scaphoid bone will break. When your wrist is less extended, the radius bone takes the force of impact resulting in a distal radius fracture ( Colles’ or Smith fracture).
Which is the smallest nondisplaced fracture in the wrist?
Avulsion Fracture occurs at the attachment of the bone with the tendons or ligaments. This nondisplaced fracture is commonly seen in athletes who fail to properly warm up the muscles with stretching before games or practices. It can also result in a displaced fracture. Scaphoid Fracture is a break of the smallest wrist bone.
