The scaphoid fracture

The scaphoid is a small wrist bone that can fracture after a fall on the hand. Sometimes, the pain and the limitation to move and carry objects forces the patient to go to the office immediately, but on other occasions the pain can be tolerated. This obviates the visit to the doctor, leaving a serious injury without timely treatment. As if that were not enough, the doctor may request X-rays but due to lack of familiarity with these injuries, the fracture may be overlooked and not diagnosed. This is because this is a bone whose irregular shape produces complex images on plain X-rays that even a hand and wrist orthopedic surgeon can let go(scaphoid fracture). It is for this reason that when there is wrist pain from movement or persistent weight after a fall, it is advisable to visit ahand doctor who will request special “projections” to demonstrate the fracture. In some occasions a tomography or magnetic resonance will be necessary, but without a doubt the most important element for the diagnosis is the expertise of the hand specialist.

These fractures are treated by immobilization with a fiberglass cast or by surgery depending on the characteristics of the fracture and the needs of the patient.