Suspected Scaphoid Fracture
During a fall it is easy to injure your wrist. It is difficult to tell for certain if you have simply sprained your wrist, or broken the scaphoid bone. You may therefore be told that you have a suspected scaphoid fracture. Both of these injuries will give you a similar pain over the wrist joint.
You should be by a medical professional in the emergency department or minor injuries unit following such injuries.
Initial x-rays do not always show a broken bone. If it is suspected you may have injured your scaphoid bone you will be booked to come back to the clinic. You will then be seen by a member of the orthopaedic team and they will feel your wrist to see where it is painful.
A further x-ray may be taken at this point. You may need a further CT or MRI scan if the x-ray does not show a break but the orthopaedic team feel are likely to have broken the bone.
You may initially be put into a cast or a splint. This stops your wrist from moving and helps with pain control.
You should take regular pain killers, if your wrist is painful.
If you have wrist sprain it will take 4 to 6 weeks to settle down. It can take upto 3 months to fully settle. You should start to stop wearing the splint as the wrist becomes more comfortable. After this your wrist will feel stiff and weaker. At this point it is important to start to exercise your wrist to get the movement back.
What should I expect and what can I do to help my hand to heal?
If you have wrist sprain it will take 4 to 6 weeks to settle down. It can take upto 3 months to fully settle. You should start to stop wearing the splint as the wrist becomes more comfortable. After this your wrist will feel stiff and weaker. At this point it is important to start to exercise your wrist to get the movement back.
Do not lift anything heavy for six to eight weeks. It may take several months for the wrist to feel normal again.
If you notice that your cast is too tight and the feeling does not improve with raising your arm above the level of your heart you should report this to your hospitals fracture clinic or accident and emergency / minor injuries unit.
Physio advice
To help circulation, reduce swelling and to maintain the movement of the fingers regularly open and close your hand.
This exercise might aid in maintaining the mobility of the affected limb. Perform this exercise within your pain limitations and do not force your joint through the movement.
When can I drive / work?
You are not safe to drive whilst in a cast or splint. Once out of the cast or splint you will be safe to drive when you can perform an emergency swerve. This could be upto 6-8 weeks following the injury.
You may return to office based work once you are comfortable. This is usually with a couple of days of the injury. Return to manual / heavy work will be once the wrist feels stronger and back to normal. This could take several weeks.
Contacts / Further information
For any queries in relation to your injury or for further advise please contact your local Emergency department minor injuries or contact the NHS service on 111.
